Henry Creek Preserve Expands CNLM’s Conservation Efforts in Oregon

The Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM) expanded its conservation footprint in Oregon with the acquisition of Henry Creek Preserve in December 2025. At approximately 2,580 acres, the Preserve is CNLM’s largest in the state and protects an important watershed, critical fish habitat, and a recovering forest landscape. The acquisition also marks CNLM’s first preserve whose protection is funded through carbon credits.

Located in the western Cascades, Henry Creek Preserve strengthens a network of conserved forests that includes the Table Rock Wilderness, Opal Creek Wilderness, and Santiam State Forest. The Preserve contains the Henry Creek watershed, a headwater tributary of the Molalla River—the largest free-flowing tributary of the Willamette River and the primary drinking water source for the City of Molalla. A 924-acre Protected Area within the Preserve has undergone significant restoration following the 2020 Beachie Creek/Labor Day Fire.

The Preserve provides important habitat for native fish and wildlife. Downstream reaches of Henry Creek and the Molalla River support Upper Willamette River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Upper Willamette River steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss), both federally listed as threatened. In addition, the Preserve has the potential to support numerous other sensitive and focal management species.

Henry Creek Preserve is among the first projects developed under the Climate Action Reserve’s (CAR) Climate Forward Reforestation Methodology (v 2.0), an innovative carbon removal program that incorporates multiple safeguards, including the requirement for a permanent conservation easement. The participating landowner is enrolled in the CAR program, through which carbon credits will be sold. The Preserve is permanently protected by a conservation easement held by CNLM.

For additional information about Henry Creek Preserve acquisition, see the EFM press release.