The Nature Conservancy has announced the gift of six ecologically sensitive properties from Willamette Industries, Oregon's largest private forest landowner.

The gift, which is valued at $1.5 million and includes permanent conservation easements totaling 1,740 acres, will safeguard a variety of critical habitats, including an isolated mountain refuge for rare plants, large remnants of native valley prairie, and the largest remaining coastal wetland of its kind in the state. At a seventh site, Willamette Industries and the Conservancy will work together to study methods of restoring native prairie and oak woodland habitats.

"As a company with deep roots in Oregon, we've made a commitment to preserve our environment and to protect sensitive areas that should remain in their natural state," said Willamette Industries President and CEO Duane McDougall. "We take seriously our responsibility to manage our forests sustainably, and appreciate the scientific and organizational expertise that the Nature Conservancy brings to this partnership."

At-risk species gaining a measure of protection from the arrangement include the peregrine falcon, Fender's blue butterfly, and the northern red-legged frog.