Partner State Resources

Oregon Rangelands

Rangelands are landscapes shaped by a dynamic mix of native grasses, forbs (wildflowers and other broadleaf plants), and shrubs. Some open woodlands are also considered rangelands, particularly when their canopies allow a rich understory of these plants to thrive. In Oregon, rangelands cover more than half of the state and reflect its remarkable ecological diversity. From the vast sagebrush steppe and high, cold deserts of the southeast, to the ponderosa pine forests of the northeast, to the expanding juniper woodlands of central Oregon, and the windswept coastal grasslands along the south coast, Oregon’s rangelands are as varied as the landscapes they sustain. Each of these systems supports unique communities of plants, animals, and people, contributing to the state’s cultural and ecological heritage.

This website provides resources to explore and better understand Oregon’s rangelands, their diversity, and their importance to communities, ecosystems, and the future of our landscapes.