What does ORTWS do to support wildlife conservation in Oregon?
The Oregon Chapter of The Wildlife Society is committed to promoting the conservation of Oregon's wildlife, and to supporting current and future generations of wildlife biologists. We are actively engaged in conservation and legislative issues in our state affecting wildlife and their habitat.
We have two committees on the Executive Board, that approach these issues from different angles. Our Legislative Affairs and Conservation Affairs Committees work diligently to address challenging wildlife-related topics. ORTWS may provide public comment on state and federal agency actions, proposed bills, rulemaking, and other legislative items. Working in conjunction, these two committees provide information on wildlife issues to aid in public discussion of natural resource management in our state and promotes the application of sound science in resource management decisions.
To better communicate with legislators, ORTWS employs a Legislative Liaison, who provides ORTWS with updates on upcoming bills and other legislative matters, interfaces with legislators on ORTWS' behalf, and assists ORTWS in disseminating natural resource information to legislators, stakeholders, and the public.
Want to get more involved in conservation efforts happening in Oregon? Join the Conservation Affairs or Legislative Affairs Committees! Contact us at ortws@ortws.org for more information!
Current Conservation Issues in Oregon
View past policy letters and comments submitted by ORTWS here
Oregon Conservation & Recreation Fund
The Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund (OCRF, aka HB2829) was passed in 2019 and directs State General Funds to ODFW based on criteria designed to address under-supported conservation priorities. Specifically, an advisory committee will approve projects and funds that are focused on the goals of the Oregon Conservation Strategy and Nearshore Strategy. In addition, the OCRF 1) prioritizes non-game related programs and monitoring; 2) is intended to focus more resources toward "non-consumptive" recreation programs and constituents, and 3) seeks to engage demographics that may have been under-served by traditional outreach programs.
The OCRF is also designed to serve as matching funds for the federal Recovering America's Wildlife Act, which would deliver over $20 million annually to fish and wildlife management in Oregon if passed. In June, authorizing language for the Recovering America's Wildlife Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives for the first time, bringing us closer to passage of this important legislation. This would be game-changing for funding wildlife conservation in our state and across the nation.
The OCRF is currently in a 'proving up" process. If partners like us can raise $1 million in private funds, the bill will be submitted for an amendment, and reinstate a dedicated $13-15 million from the general fund toward wildlife conservation every biennium thereafter. Supporting the OCRF is not about raising $1 million, it's about proving up a permanent shift in how the state prioritizes General Fund money toward conservation in Oregon.
That's why in 2020 the Oregon Chapter of The Wildlife Society committed $5,000 in matching funds towards the OCRF, to be matched by our membership. We are happy to report that our membership exceeded our expectations, and helped us to donate over $10,000 to the OCRF in December 2020.
There are several quick and easy steps you can take now to support the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund, and the Recovering America's Wildlife Act (federal):
- Donate directly to the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund on the ODFW website
- Thank your member of congress for supporting the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act via social media (#RecoverWildlife), phone, or email.
- If they are not yet supporting the bill, ask your member of congress to co-sponsor the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. You can also refer people to OurNatureUSA.com for an auto-generated letter.
- Consider signing the National Wildlife Federation’s 1000+ group letter of support
- Consider signing the joint scientist’s letter from The Wildlife Society and American Fisheries Society
- Consider joining the Alliance for America’s Fish and Wildlife
- Please share this info with your colleagues, family and friends. #RecoverWildlife