/ Habitat Management
At the Port of Vancouver USA, sustainability guides how we care for land, water and wildlife. Through innovative partnerships and responsible planning, we protect and restore important habitats while supporting economic development.
Natural Resource Mitigation
To balance development with environmental responsibility, the Port of Vancouver USA partners on projects that restore and enhance local ecosystems. A key example is the Columbia River Wetland Mitigation Bank, the first of its kind in Clark County, developed in partnership with Clark County Mitigation Partners and Ducks Unlimited.
Located on the port’s Parcel 6 along Lower River Road, this 154-acre site restores, enhances, and creates wetlands, improves songbird habitat, and supports regional biodiversity. By consolidating smaller mitigation efforts into one larger, more sustainable system, the bank provides greater ecological value and more diverse habitat.
The bank generates wetland “credits,” which public and private developers can purchase to offset unavoidable impacts to wetlands within a pre-approved service area. That area extends from the Cowlitz River to Bonneville Dam and along Columbia River tributaries to where the tidal influence from the Columbia River ends.
Purple Martin Habitat
Purple martins are a native migratory bird species that rely almost entirely on human-made structures for nesting in the Pacific Northwest. To support their survival, the port has installed specialized nesting gourds in areas near the Columbia River. These structures provide critical breeding habitat for the birds during the spring and summer months. Each year, port staff monitor the nests to ensure they remain safe and free of invasive species that may threaten the martin population.
Pollinator Habitat
Pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds play a vital role in healthy ecosystems. To support these important species, the port has established pollinator-friendly habitat zones throughout its properties. These areas feature native flowering plants that bloom throughout the seasons, offering food and shelter for pollinators year-round. By creating and maintaining these habitats, the port helps strengthen biodiversity and supports regional conservation efforts.
Bird-Safe Program
The Port of Vancouver USA is located along the Pacific Flyway—a major north-south migration route that stretches from Alaska to South America. Each year, millions of birds travel this corridor, relying on stopover habitats like the Columbia River and Vancouver Lake Lowlands for food, rest and shelter.
With so many migratory and resident birds in the area, reducing bird-building collisions is an important priority. The port has taken steps to make select buildings safer by installing non-reflective window coverings. These treatments are transparent from the inside but visible to birds, helping prevent window strikes while maintaining visibility for staff.
For more information about what you can do to protect birds: