[ODFW-News] Oregon's Conservation Strategy receives federal approval

[ODFW News]

For Immediate Release Tuesday, March 13, 2006
 
Oregon's Conservation Strategy receives federal approval
 
SALEM- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife officials today announced
the Oregon Conservation Strategy has been approved by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.
 
The strategy charts a course for the long-term conservation of Oregon's
wildlife and enables the state to receive new federal funding for
wildlife management and habitat restoration projects. It also identifies
how all Oregonians can become involved through a non-regulatory,
statewide approach to conservation. 
 
"The Conservation Strategy is critical to preserving our state's native
fish and wildlife and their habitats," said Ron Anglin, ODFW Wildlife
Division administrator. "This plan takes a proactive approach to
conservation-one that is designed to keep species from becoming
endangered or threatened - and we hope it inspires all Oregonians to
become involved so we can benefit from localized knowledge and
expertise."
 
The strategy was developed by a diverse coalition including scientists,
conservation groups, landowners, extension services, anglers, hunters,
and representatives from agriculture, forestry and rangelands. Key
aspects include: 
 
* A strategic plan that provides information about Oregon's species and
habitats and the issues affecting their viability. It describes actions
that can be taken to address these issues.
 
* An implementation strategy that depends on a network of groups and
individuals interested in the conservation of Oregon's natural
resources.

* Ways for all Oregonians to get involved. Anyone can go to ODFW's Web
site, find the section of the plan that deals with their area
(ecoregion) and learn about species and habitats in need of support.
They can then decide to take individual action or contact ODFW or local
conservation groups to discover what is being done and what needs to be
done. 
 
* Suggested conservation "tools" and ideas for landowners, citizens and
local communities to consider when choosing the right action for local
needs.
 
* Examples of recent collaborative conservation projects, demonstrating
how people have achieved successful results by working together. 
 
Oregon's Conservation Strategy was funded by the U.S. Congress through
the State Wildlife Grant program, created under bipartisan legislation
in 2001. The intent of the legislation was to establish a nationwide
blueprint to conserve imperiled species so they don't become threatened
or endangered. USFWS intends to distribute $68.5 million in grants this
spring.
 
The Oregon Plan's Stakeholder Advisory Committee includes Dick Bradbury,
Oregon Country Beef; Brett Brownscombe, Hells Canyon Preservation
Council; Bobby Brunoe, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs; Bruce Dixon,
Tourism Development Solutions; Katie Fast, Oregon Farm Bureau; Ken
Faulk, Small Woodlands Association; Ron Hathaway, OSU Extension Service;
Peter Kenagy, NORPAC Foods, Inc.; Cathy McDonald, Nature Conservancy;
Russ McKinley, Steve Mealey, Boise Cascade; Neal Maine, North Coast Land
Conservancy; Jason Miner, Oregon Trout; Brad Nye, Deschutes Basin Land
Trust; Joe Moll, Mike Running, McKenzie River Trust; Meryl Redisch,
Audubon Society of Portland; Dennis Richey, Oregon Anglers; Gil Riddell,
Association of Oregon Counties; Richard Schmitz, Oregon Chapter of The
Wildlife Society; Kay Teisl, Kevin Westfall, Micah Wells, Oregon
Cattlemen's Association; Tony Vecchio, Oregon Zoo; Sara Vickerman,
Defenders of Wildlife; Dave Wiley, Oregon Hunter's Association; Ray
Wilkerson, Oregon Forest Industries Council; Terry Witt, Oregonians for
Food and Shelter; Brian Wolcott, Walla Walla Basin Watershed Council;
Ron Yockim, Douglas County.
 
To learn more about Oregon's Conservation Strategy, visit the ODFW Web
site at www.dfw.state.or.us. 
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