Oregon’s New Wildlife Plan Gets Green Light

A long-awaited update to Oregon’s roadmap for protecting fish and wildlife has been approved, bringing new momentum-and new funding-to conservation efforts across the state.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announced that its 2026 State Wildlife Action Plan has received final approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The plan outlines how the state will work to protect habitats, support struggling species, and prevent more animals from becoming endangered.

More than 300 species in Oregon are currently considered at risk, from well-known animals like salmon and golden eagles to lesser-known species found only in the state. The updated plan is designed to focus resources where they can make the biggest difference.

“This gives us a clearer path forward,” said ODFW Director Debbie Colbert. “It helps ensure we’re investing in the right places to protect Oregon’s wildlife for the future.”

The plan highlights growing challenges such as habitat loss, climate change, invasive species, and pollution-factors that continue to put pressure on ecosystems statewide. It also places greater emphasis on helping species adapt to a changing climate and improving habitat conditions before populations decline further.

State officials say one of the key improvements is a more detailed and updated list of species most in need of conservation, along with better tools for addressing threats on the ground. The plan also encourages closer collaboration with tribes, landowners, and local communities.

Alongside the plan’s approval comes a significant shift in how Oregon will fund conservation work.

For the first time, the state will have a dedicated funding source for at-risk species, thanks to House Bill 4134, signed into law this week by Governor Tina Kotek. The measure increases the state’s transient lodging tax by 1.25 percent, with a portion of the revenue earmarked for wildlife and habitat conservation.

Historically, most fish and wildlife funding in Oregon has come from hunting and fishing license fees. Supporters of the new law say it broadens that base and reflects the wider public interest in protecting wildlife.

The bill passed with bipartisan support and backing from a large coalition of conservation groups, industry organizations, and community partners.

Officials say the combination of a newly approved plan and a stable funding source marks a major step forward.

The new funding will take effect Jan. 1, 2027. In the meantime, ODFW will work with partners to determine how the money will be spent as part of the state’s next budget cycle.

State leaders say the goal is simple: keep Oregon’s diverse wildlife-from rivers to deserts to the coast-healthy and thriving for generations to come.