ODFW reaches out to public about Oregon Conservation Strategy revisions | Top Stories

OREGON– The Oregon Conservation Strategy(OCS) is finishing the process of its 10-year revision and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife(ODFW) is reaching out to the public for input and education.

The OCS will be changing its name to the State Wildlife Action Plan

According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, globally one in four species are at risk, and in Oregon this pattern holds true.

The name for the Oregon Conservation Strategy will be changed to State Wildlife Action Plan(SWAP), the SWAP is being revised to help keep the most up to date information in it, to enhance resources for partner and public conservation efforts and to fulfill its requirement to receive US Fish and Wildlife Services state and tribal wildlife grant funding.

ODFW said the goal is to help direct funding, focus conservation efforts, provide informational resources and improve coordination within ODFW and its partners.

“We want to highlight the valuable knowledge that many people already have, especially those with expertise in specific areas, acknowledging that species and system experts may have more and better information than we do.” said Carolyn Eckrich with ODFW.

The SWAP can focus on areas that are in increased need for conservation efforts, as well as barriers wildlife are facing in connectivity, through this work they can push agencies such as Oregon Department of Transportation and local municipalities to ensure projects are putting the local wildlife in their scope when doing projects.

Worldwide one in four species are considered at risk, with this being present in Oregon wildlife as well.

In Oregon over half of Oregon amphibian species, over 10% of bird species, approximately 20% of reptile species and over 20% of mammal species are at risk or threatened.

Within the revision period they’ve monitored surveys with the public, finding that climate change is identified as the most significant threat/challenge to the state, with pollution also ranked highly as a challenge/threat.

Key updates to the SWAP aside from updating information, information of the OCS and Oregon Nearshore Strategy will be included ensuring that marine conservation is more represented, putting pollution as a key conservation issue and adding ways to address pollution in the state.

“We want the plan to welcome and inspire all of those who do conservation work.” Eckrich said.

Restructuring of the conservation toolbox and online data mapping and planning tool, reevaluating the species list throughout the state, and elevating information on beavers and beaver habitats are also key updates to the SWAP.

Currently the SWAP revision is getting community engagement, it will get feedback from the public and professionals for the next few months, in July the final draft will be submitted, approved in August and submitted to the USFWS in October.

Rocky Walker is a reporter/producer at NewsWatch 12. You can reach Rocky at [email protected].