Secure Funding for Wildlife and Habitat Conservation in Oregon: Support 1.25% for Wildlife

Dear Oregon legislator,

Oregon’s wildlife and their habitat are one of Oregon’s greatest treasures – drawing tourists to visit our state and beloved by those of us who are lucky enough to call Oregon home. I write to ask you to support 1.25% for Wildlife (HB 4134) in the 2026 legislative session to ensure that the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) and other programs have the necessary resources to safeguard and recover our state’s most imperiled wildlife and fish species and their habitats. By raising our transient lodging tax by just 1.25% (from 1.5% to 2.75% – still the third lowest nationwide) we can fund Oregon’s State Wildlife Action Plan, ODFW’s Wildlife Connectivity Program, wildlife rehabilitation facilities via the Wildlife Stewardship program, anti-poaching efforts, Oregon Conservation’ Corps’ wildfire risk reduction and community resilience work, and other core conservation priorities that have been chronically underfunded or entirely unfunded. This need existed prior to the current federal administration, and is even more essential as federal funding is being cut, delayed or entirely denied.

Our State Wildlife Action Plan now identifies over 300 species as being at risk, with more than a third of our state species in decline. This bipartisan bill will generate long-term reliable funding for conservation efforts. The bill enjoys broad and diverse support and will reinvest in Oregon’s tourism economy by safeguarding the wildlife, fish and habitats that draw visitors to our state. 65% of the folks who will pay the tax are out of state visitors.

Please support this common-sense long-term dedicated funding for our most imperiled wildlife and fish species, safeguard essential habitats, and improve ecosystem resiliency in the face of the twin biodiversity and climate crises.

Thank you.