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CORVALLIS - Oregon State University has assumed management of Oregon's most comprehensive database of information on rare species after signing separate agreements with The Nature Conservancy and the Division of State Lands.

The agreements facilitate a transfer of the data and staff of the Oregon Natural Heritage Program to OSU - a move authorized by the 2001 Oregon Legislature. The university will operate the program's "Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center," a major repository of information about the state's rare species and habitats.

The Division of State Lands will continue to oversee the state's Register of Natural Heritage Resources and coordinate the Natural Heritage Advisory Council that recommends new sites for inclusion on the register.

"This in many ways is a perfect marriage," said OSU President Paul Risser, who last year chaired a panel of scientists who produced the State of the Oregon Environment Report. "This more closely ties some of Oregon's critical biological data to the scientific community, while at the same time advancing the coordination of scientific information and its accessibility to the public.

"It will also provide a significant benefit to OSU's teaching and research efforts," he added.

Since 1974, The Nature Conservancy - an international non-profit organization - has administered and maintained a conservation data center describing Oregon's biological diversity. In 1979, the group worked with the Oregon Legislature to pass the Oregon Natural Heritage Act, which created the state's Oregon Natural Heritage Program and the advisory council as part of the Division of State Lands.

The Division of State Lands, however, didn't have the personnel to operate such a program and has since contracted with The Nature Conservancy to provide staffing. Under the new agreements, The Nature Conservancy staff working in the heritage program have become OSU employees. An average of 10-15 persons are employed by the program as data technicians, scientists and support staff, funded almost exclusively through grants and contracts with state and federal agencies, business and industry, private organizations and foundations.

"The Nature Conservancy created the global natural heritage data network because protecting species and habitats has to begin with facts," said Russell Hoeflich, vice president and Oregon director for The Nature Conservancy.

"In Oregon, the program has amassed data for more than 28 years on our native plants, fish, wildlife and their habitats - information critical to decisions made every day about Oregon's future growth and opportunities.

"We're delighted to work with Oregon State University to take this dynamic program to the next level," Hoeflich added. "With its strong tradition of environmental learning and stewardship, OSU is a great choice to manage and grow Oregon's storehouse of biodiversity information now and in the future."

OSU will operate the Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center in its Portland headquarters. It will become part of the university's Institute for Natural Resources, which also was established last year by the legislature.

Hal Salwasser, dean of OSU's College of Forestry and acting director of the institute, said the heritage information center is a critical resource for public land managers, private developers and researchers seeking data on Oregon's rare, threatened and endangered species and plant communities.

"Like our Institute of Natural Resources, the Natural Heritage Information Center is a place where people can come and get the most objective, up-to-date scientific data that they need to make well-informed decisions, or craft well-informed policy," Salwasser said. "Both programs are guided by the concept of sustainability to balance healthy environments, communities and economies."

State Rep. Susan Morgan, R-Myrtle Creek, led the legislative efforts to establish the institute and facilitate the transfer of the natural heritage program to OSU. "We created the Institute for Natural Resources to improve the state's ability to deliver the best science, data and policy advice available," Morgan said. "Moving the Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center into the Institute at OSU will place this vital resource on sounder footing and increase its statewide reach."

The Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center has more than 20,000 records of rare and endangered plants and animals, including the status of 850 vertebrates, 292 invertebrates, 1,146 plants, and 525 plant community types. It is Oregon's best source of information on the distribution of all wildlife species, and for all vegetation information, including historic, existing and potential natural vegetation, and vegetation classification information, according to Jimmy Kagan, who directs the center.

The center's staff can answer questions about what rare species are found in a given area, from a county to a watershed; whether any rare species are located near planned development sites; and the habitat and likely locations for Oregon's rare species. Information on the center and its work is available on the web at www.natureserve.org/nhp/us/or/.

"OSU has a long history in providing education, research and stewardship for natural resources in Oregon and operating the Natural Heritage Information Center is a natural fit," said Rich Holdren, OSU's vice provost for research. "In the future, the center will expand the resources required to better catalog invasive species and other aspects of biodiversity."

The 2001 Oregon Legislature has provided $100,000 to fund the transition of the center to OSU.