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ODFW unveils State Wildlife Action Plan update and new funding stream for conservation
Summary
ODFW presented its 2026 State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) that integrates nearshore and conservation strategy work, identifies species of greatest conservation need and information gaps, and highlighted new sustainable funding from House Bill 4134 effective 2027.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife outlined its updated State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) to OPAC on April 29 and described how the plan will guide targeted conservation investments.
Jessica Watson (ODFW) said the SWAP integrates prior conservation and nearshore strategies, organizes priorities by key conservation issues and ecoregions, and identifies species of greatest conservation need and species of greatest information need. The agency framed the plan as a tool to prioritize actions and pursue federal and state funding streams. Watson also highlighted the "OregonIsWorthProtecting" outreach campaign to broaden public engagement.
Watson described House Bill 4134 (the 1% lodging tax allocation for wildlife) as a new, recurring revenue source that takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, and said ODFW will use the funds to support SWAP priorities, including nearshore work such as kelp and species monitoring. She encouraged OPAC members to promote SWAP priorities among their constituencies and to engage in commission and funding conversations as the agency develops policy option packages for the 2027 budget.
