Climate change

OSU Extension coordinates its efforts on understanding the impacts of climate change on agricultural, forest and marine ecosystems and communities in Oregon. Our science-based resources cover a range of topics, including mitigation strategies, adaptation measures and ways individuals can contribute to environmental sustainability.

Latest resources

Groundcover shrubs for Western Oregon gardens

The top 5 performing plants of groundcovers for Western Oregon landscapes.

Heather Stoven, Neil Bell | Feb 2026 | Educational gallery

Forests in a changing climate: How much will the climate change in Oregon, and how fast?

More frequent droughts, heavier rains, less snow — these are a few ways climate is expected to change in Oregon over the next 50–75 years. Prepare for water stress and a potential rise in disease.

Stephen Fitzgerald, Erica Fleishman | Sep 2025 | OSU Extension Catalog

Episode 66: How Messaging Might Affect Forest Management (in English)

Dani shares the results of her study at Tillamook and MacDonald Research Forest!

Aug 2025 | Podcast episode

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Latest news

Garden Future helps Oregon gardeners plan for a changing climate

New resources and shared stories support resilient home landscapes.

Chris Branam | Mar 17, 2026 | News story

From shade trees to ‘smarter’ containers, OSU targets nursery heat

Heat-proofing nursery crops with specialty pots and irrigation tools.

Chris Branam | Feb 24, 2026 | News story

Growing Farms online course helps producers plan for climate resilience

Self-paced lessons guide farm risk checks and next steps for tough seasons.

Chris Branam | Feb 10, 2026 | News story

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Water, economics and climate change in Oregon's Willamette Basin

Climate change, population growth, and income growth have the potential to significantly affect the availability and use of water in the Willamette River Basin (WRB). The Willamette Water 2100 project (WW2100) was motivated in response to the need for individuals, communities, and governments across the WRB to better understand how the supply and demand for water will evolve and vary across space and time in coming decades. This report describes results from the WW2100 model with a focus on its economic dimensions, that is, the impacts on people who live in the WRB.

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Photo Credit: Victoria - Adobe Stock (Cropped from original)

Featured resources

Understanding and living with climate grief and climate stress for farmers and ranchers

Farmers and ranchers face unique mental health challenges due to climate change, as they experience direct impacts from severe weather and environmental shifts. These individuals encounter "climate grief," a sense of ...

Maud Powell, Mary Halbleib, Kanchan Ojha, Courtney Olcott, Dede Setiono | Nov 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog

Changing snowpack in a changing climate

As Oregon's climate warms, climate projections predict less snow and more rain. Along with changes in the timing of melting, this shift decreases the amount of water stored in seasonal snowpack in mountain watersheds around the ...

Annette Patton | Dec 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog

Through thoughtful practices, lawns can be climate-friendly

Love your grass lawn but want to make your landscape more climate-friendly? There are thoughtful ways to keep a lawn as part of your landscape while balancing climate change concerns.

Alec Kowalewski, Brooke Edmunds, Ruying (Wrennie) Wang | Sep 2022 | OSU Extension Catalog

How drought stress affects landscape trees

Drought creates stress on trees that isn't always obvious until it's too late. It's often difficult to connect the dots between a lack of water and a problem. Here's a look at how drought stress affects trees.

Nicole Sanchez | Feb 2024 | OSU Extension Catalog

Environmental organizations

Oregon Conservation Partnership (in English)

The Oregon Conservation Partnership is committed to protecting and enhancing Oregon’s natural beauty and conservation values by promoting, supporting, and advocating for voluntary conservation throughout Oregon.

May 2018 | Online resource

Oregon Environment Council (in English)

We bring Oregonians together to protect our water, air and land with healthy solutions that work for today and for future generations. Founded in 1968 by concerned Oregonians from across the state, we are a membership-based, nonpartisan nonprofit.

May 2018 | Online resource

Oregon Climate Change Research Institute (OCCRI) (in English)

OCCRI is a network of over 150 researchers at Oregon State University (OSU), the University of Oregon, Portland State University, Southern Oregon University, and affiliated federal and state labs. OCCRI is administered by OSU and resides in the College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences.

May 2018 | Online resource

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Community disaster preparedness

Work skills

Local, regional and community food systems

Fire

Sustainability

Water management and conservation

Upcoming Events

Apr 29

Before Wildfire Strikes: Improving Wildfire Preparedness in Hood River County

6:00 pm - 8:30 pm Hood River, OR

May 4

Climate Stress and Grief: Building Resilience Through Gardening

5:30 pm - 7:00 pm PDT Online

Meet Our Experts

Christopher Adlam

Regional Fire Specialist, Southwest Region

Angee Doerr

Marine Fisheries Educator

Brooke Edmunds

Community Horticulture, Master Gardeners

Contact me about the Master Gardener Volunteer Program or gardening questions from Polk or Marion counties

Miranda Gray

Coastal Water Resources Extension Educator

Topics Miranda works on include: Watershed conservation and restoration, Drinking water, Water wise landscaping, Citizen science, Water data and technology

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