Rainforest Reserve

Type of Project: Habitat Reserve

The Rainforest Reserve conserves a vast area of temperate rainforest, including forests, high meadows and seeps harboring rare plant and animal species. Together with other adjacent conserved lands, it is part of a continuous conservation corridor stretching from the mountain peaks to the nearshore ocean.

Creating the Rainforest Reserve

As of Fall 2021, North Coast Land Conservancy acquired 3,500 acres of temperate rainforest, creating Oregon’s own Rainforest Reserve. Together with an adjacent state park and marine reserve, it helps form a continuous 32-square-mile conservation corridor stretching from the summits of coastal-fronting mountains to the nearshore ocean.

This accomplishment came at the end of a $12.1 million capital campaign that involved support and donations from hundreds of individuals, groups, and organizations.

Since then, NCLC has been active in conserving adjacent lands and waters to expand the existing corridor and enhance habitat connectivity. In January 2026, we had the opportunity to expand the reserve by an additional 80 acres, located on the southeastern border of the Rainforest Reserve and featuring a similar abundance of upland forest and rocky outcroppings. These 80 acres were a high priority, as their conservation further protects Onion Peak, which contains uniquely sensitive habitats and rare species, such as the ancient black petaltail dragonfly.

Diverse Plants and Animals

Within this evergreen realm thrives a complex community of plants and animals—from dragonflies to elk and eagles. Some of the plant and animal species found in the Rainforest Reserve live nowhere else on the planet.

Managing the Rainforest Reserve

As part of our long-term stewardship of this incredible reserve, we’ve worked with partners, supporters, stakeholders, and community members—including the Land Trust Alliance, the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, The Climate Trust, the National Park Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the National Park Service—to create a climate-focused management plan.

We’ve condensed the original plan (roughly 200 pages) into a 12-page summary that highlights our conservation values and management strategies