ODFW will host the first of a series of community engagement sessions on Jan. 6, 2025, at 2 p.m., to launch a six-month process to inform updates to the Oregon State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), known as the Oregon Conservation Strategy.
The public can join the meeting via Microsoft Teams on Jan. 6 at https://tinyurl.com/4e8hemzc.
“Oregon is facing a biodiversity crisis that affects the health of its ecosystems, economy, and communities,” said Carolyn Eckrich, ODFW SWAP Revision Coordinator. “It is vital for all of us to take action by supporting conservation efforts, restoring natural habitats, and protecting our fish and wildlife. By working together to update the SWAP, we can protect Oregon’s rich biodiversity and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come,” added Eckrich.
Oregon’s SWAP is a blueprint for conservation throughout the state. It was developed as part of a nationwide effort coordinated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; every state has a State Wildlife Action Plan for conserving fish, wildlife, and their habitats. The Oregon SWAP emphasizes proactively conserving declining species and habitats to reduce the possibility of future federal or state listings. It presents the key conservation issues facing Oregon’s fish and wildlife and identifies opportunities and recommended voluntary actions for all Oregonians to engage in conservation work.
ODFW is excited to invite participation in the comprehensive review and revision of Oregon’s SWAP and the list of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in 2025. As part of the national effort, states must complete a review and revision of their SWAP at least every 10 years, and ODFW must finalize the SWAP by October 1, 2025.
The main goal of updating the SWAP Revision is to provide an accurate and current overview of the challenges and opportunities in species conservation. ODFW wants to showcase the valuable insights of experts, especially those who spend time in these environments.
The engagement process will include a series of technical meetings and public engagement sessions from January to May 2025 dedicated to reviewing various sections of the SWAP, gathering feedback on key proposed changes, and discussing how the public can take action to protect Oregon’s fish and wildlife. ODFW will seek feedback on the new and updated scientific content related to Species of Greatest Conservation Need, Key Conservation Issues, priority habitats, and tools for partners and landowners.
The Jan. 6 meeting will include a presentation from ODFW followed by a question-and-answer session. During the meeting, ODFW will present an overview of the SWAP and the revision process, identify opportunities for public feedback, and discuss anticipated changes to the SWAP. All interested parties are welcome to attend. A recording of the meeting will be available on the SWAP Revision website.
Visit the SWAP (OCS) Revision website for more information: https://www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/OCS_revision_2024.asp.
