Oregon Blue Sky Habitat - Frequently Asked Questions

How was The Freshwater Trust selected?
The Freshwater Trust (TFT) was selected to manage the Habitat funds beginning January 1, 2011 as a result of a formal Request for Proposal process. 
 The Freshwater Trust is a statewide not-for-profit organization headquartered in Portland, Oregon with satellite offices in Bend and Corvallis.
TFT takes an integrated, innovative approach to restoring freshwater ecosystems – from restoring a river’s architecture to working with landowners to keep more water in streams to educating children on the importance of freshwater conservation.

The TFT team will leverage a variety of partnerships and opportunities on behalf of our Blue Sky Habitat customers and utilize StreamBank an on-line web tool to prioritize restoration projects and assist restoration professionals with project management to efficiently fund, permit and implement a restoration project.  Through Streambank we expect high quality projects to come on-line even faster which means your participation will translate to even more benefits for our environment.


TFT’s innovative solutions to restoration are attributed to a large community of members, donors, volunteers, corporate gifts and foundations who value ‘out of the box’ watershed restoration.

More information about TFT » 

What type of habitat preservation and restoration projects are typically funded through the Blue Sky Habitat program? 
Habitat  preservation and restoration work  can include (but is not limited to): watershed assessments and analysis; design and engineering, acquisition of conservation easements from private parties to protect and restore anadromous species habitat; riparian planting, stream bank stabilization or protection, large wood structure creation fish passage barrier removal, historic channel and structure restoration, removing non-native vegetation, maintenance and monitoring activities, and public outreach and education efforts.
TFT takes no more 20 percent from customer support for administration and marketing. All remaining funds support on-the-ground projects. 

Please continue to check this site for more details; it will be updated as more projects receive funding increasing the value of existing habitat for native, threatened or endangered anadromous fish in Oregon.