Kingston Prairie-Scio Oak Pine Savanna – State Wildlife Action Plan

Geographic boundaries of the COAs were updated for the 2026 State Wildlife Action Plan and the associated COA profiles are intended to provide additional information. Content of each COA profile is being refined and will be updated to reflect current conditions when feasible. Please help us by submitting information on Local Conservation Actions, Plans, or Potential Partners to: OCS.revision@odfw.oregon.gov.

The Kingston Prairie-Scio Oak Pine Savanna COA (17 mi²) extends from the town of Scio east to Bear Branch Creek. It is located just south of the North Santiam River and north of Thomas Creek. This area consists largely of small private properties, many of which are agricultural. This COA is adjacent to the Santiam Confluences COA.

Recommended Conservation Actions

Initiate and continue wet meadow conservation and restoration efforts.
Maintain and enhance oak savanna, grassland, and pine habitats and their connection with adjacent habitats to ensure sufficient habitat complexity and connectivity for wildlife.
Remove invading conifers and manage tree and shrub encroachments in grasslands and oak savanna habitats.
Promote early detection and removal of invasive plants.

Local Conservation Actions and Plans

Potential Partners

Special Features

General

This area contains several rare plant species including Bradshaw’s lomatium, Willamette daisy, Oregon larkspur and white-topped aster.
The Nature Conservancy’s Kingston Prairie Preserve (155 acres) is located within this area. This is a property with ongoing efforts to restore native prairie habitat.
Important habitats within this COA include: native prairie, associated grassland, and oak savanna habitats. These critical habitats support many rare plants and sensitive bird species.
This area has been designated a Grassland Bird Conservation Area by Partners in Flight.

Protected Areas

Kingston Prairie Preserve

Previous COA Association

Previously Associated with (2006 COAs)
- WV-18 (Kingston Prairie area)
Size Change from 2016 boundaries: -7.0 mi² (29% decrease)

Specialized Local Habitats

Unique grassland habitat

Ecoregions

Willamette Valley

The Willamette Valley ecoregion is bounded on the west by the Coast Range and on the east by the Cascade Range. This long mostly level alluvial plain has some scattered areas of low basalt, and contrasts with productive farmland and large urban areas. It has the fastest-growing human population in the state resulting in challenges due to land-use changes.

Key Habitats

Grasslands

Grasslands include a variety of upland grass-dominated habitats, such as upland prairies, coastal bluffs, and montane grasslands.

Natural Lakes

Natural lakes are relatively large bodies of freshwater surrounded by land that were formed through geological processes, such as glacial scouring, tectonic movements, volcanic activity and river meander cutoffs. In Oregon, natural lakes are defined as standing water bodies larger than 20 acres, including some seasonal lakes. Depth is not a reference for characterization of …

Example of Oak Woodlands, which is a Strategy Habitat within the State Wildlife Action Plan

Oak Habitats

There are several oak habitat types in Oregon, where oaks comprise most of the canopy. These can include oak woodlands, oak forest, oak chaparral, and riparian oak. Oak savanna is covered in the Grasslands Key Habitat. Oaks may also co-dominate a canopy in oak/fir, oak pine, and oak hardwood habitats.

Flowing Water and Riparian Habitats

Flowing Water and Riparian Habitats include all naturally occurring flowing freshwater streams and rivers throughout Oregon as well as the adjacent riparian habitat.