Portland, OR – In a significant move to bolster the state’s defenses against a changing climate, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has signed Executive Order 25-26. This directive mandates state agencies to integrate climate-resilient strategies into their management of Oregon’s vast natural and working lands, including forests, grasslands, rangelands, farmlands, wetlands, and urban open spaces, as well as the state’s water resources. The order aims to protect these vital ecosystems from escalating climate impacts and enhance their capacity to sequester carbon.
Protecting Oregon’s Natural Assets Against Climate Threats
The executive order, announced recently, underscores Oregon’s commitment to confronting the escalating challenges posed by climate change. These challenges include more frequent and severe droughts, wildfires, extreme heat events, and shifting weather patterns that threaten the state’s ecological integrity and economic stability. Governor Kotek stated that Oregon’s forests, grasslands, farms, and wetlands provide critical benefits statewide and possess significant potential for carbon capture. “We will unlock the incredible promise and power of our natural and working lands by implementing proactive policies that protect priority lands and waters and help landowners manage their landscapes to withstand and recover from the impacts of climate change,” Governor Kotek said in a statement.
Key Provisions of Executive Order 25-26
Executive Order 25-26 directs state agencies to coordinate and embed climate-resilient strategies into their existing programs. A core objective is to protect and restore an additional 10% of Oregon’s most climate-resilient lands and waters over the next decade. To achieve this, agencies are tasked with identifying a baseline for measuring progress. The order emphasizes the need to identify areas that are currently resilient to climate change and can deliver multiple benefits, as well as those that can be restored to high resilience through focused actions.
Furthermore, the order calls for streamlining programs and processes to assist farmers, foresters, businesses, and other landowners in adopting climate-friendly practices. This includes improving access to funding and technical support for sustainable land stewardship, accelerating permits for restoration projects, and enhancing grant application processes. It also directs agencies to collaborate, utilizing the best available science to identify key attributes of resilient ecosystems, such as tidal wetlands and old-growth forests, which naturally play a role in sequestering carbon.
A Unified Approach to Resilience
Environmental advocates and partner organizations have widely praised the executive order, viewing it as a critical step forward in safeguarding Oregon’s natural resources. Andrew Maggi, from The Pew Charitable Trusts’ U.S. conservation team, noted that the order’s implementation will help ensure Oregon’s landscapes remain resilient and adaptable to environmental changes, while also supporting the economic well-being of local communities for future generations.
Derek Johnson, Oregon State Director of The Nature Conservancy, highlighted that the order recognizes that building climate resilience and healthy communities begins with the lands and waters that sustain them. He added that investing in the health of Oregon’s forests, rangelands, farmlands, and estuaries, coupled with stronger collaboration among agencies, Tribes, and local communities, can advance practical solutions for adaptation and a resilient future.
Karen Lewotsky, Water Program Director & Rural Partnerships Lead at the Oregon Environmental Council, emphasized the importance of smart water management in ensuring access to safe, clean, and plentiful drinking water, particularly as Oregon faces hotter, drier summers and more severe droughts. The order is seen as a framework for building resilience and managing water resources effectively.
Building on Oregon’s Climate Action Legacy
This executive order aligns with Oregon’s ongoing efforts and goals related to climate action. In 2021, the Oregon Climate Action Commission adopted a Natural and Working Lands Proposal, setting targets to sequester at least an additional 5 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year by 2030, and 9.5 million metric tons by 2050. The commission’s 2023 report indicated that natural and working lands could potentially double emissions reductions if protected and restored. The strategies outlined in EO 25-26 are expected to yield co-benefits beyond carbon sequestration, including improved air quality, enhanced fish and wildlife habitat, job creation, and economic development opportunities, while also lowering health and energy costs.
Oregon has a history of climate action, including the restoration of its Climate Protection Program in late 2024, which aims to cut carbon emissions by 90% by 2050. The state has also developed climate adaptation frameworks and roadmaps to guide future efforts. Governor Kotek’s recent action also follows Executive Order 25-25, signed earlier in 2025, which aims to accelerate the development of renewable energy projects. These initiatives collectively demonstrate a commitment to tackling climate change from multiple angles, from energy production to the stewardship of natural resources.
A Resilient Future for Oregon
By directing state agencies to prioritize climate resilience and integrate adaptive strategies into land and water management, Executive Order 25-26 represents a proactive and comprehensive approach to safeguarding Oregon’s natural heritage and its communities. The order acknowledges the interconnectedness of ecosystems and human well-being, emphasizing that a healthy environment is fundamental to a thriving economy and a high quality of life for all Oregonians, both now and for future generations. This news signifies a strengthened resolve in oregon to face the environmental challenges ahead through strategic planning and collaborative action.
