Oregon is Facing a Biodiversity Crisis: Public Participation Invited

By Lucille McNamara On Jan 6, 2025

FILE - Mount Hood above Trillium Lake in Mount Hood National Forest | Photo by Seth Smigelski

Oregon is facing a biodiversity crisis, and the public is asked to become involved in a blueprint crucial for the conservation effort.

Community Engagement Session Starts Today

Community engagement sessions start today (January 6) says Carolyn Eckrich, revision coordinator of the Oregon State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), a division of the Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW).

Eckrich says the biodiversity crisis is affecting the health of Oregon’s ecosystems, the economy, and its communities – making it vital to take action that will support the restoration of natural habitats and the protection of fish and wildlife.

With public participation, SWAP can protect the state’s rich biodiversity, ensuring sustainability for future generations.

SWAP focuses on the proactive protection of species and habitats that are in decline to prevent state or federal listings in the future.

Every State Has Its Own Wildlife Action Plan

Every state has its individual Wildlife Action Plan developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of a national initiative. The plans deal with the conservation and habitats of fish and wildlife in individual states.

The start of today’s initiative is part of a national effort to update the Wildlife Action Plan every decade.

With the help of the public, the ODFW hopes to finalize its updated SWAP by October 1, 2025.

At today’s session, the public will be given the chance to give feedback and ask questions after a presentation by the ODFW that will focus on proposed changes and future public participation.

Several public participation sessions will be held from today through to May. Today’s session starts at 2 p.m. via Microsoft Teams.

SWAP highlights Oregon’s main conservation challenges, focusing on Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) and strategies to deal with ongoing problems.

The ODFW invites interested public members to attend today’s session or to follow proceedings via a recording on the SWAP Revision website.