Bill > HB2980

This bill establishes a new Wildlife Stewardship Program within the State Department of Fish and Wildlife aimed at improving human-wildlife interactions and supporting wildlife rehabilitation efforts. The program will include strategically located biologists who will conduct outreach to local governments, community groups, and schools, provide training sessions, and support wildlife rehabilitators. These biologists will help minimize human-wildlife conflicts and emphasize the importance of keeping wildlife wild. The program will develop an educational campaign focused on coexistence in urban and suburban areas and will administer a grant program to support licensed wildlife rehabilitation centers that care for injured and orphaned wildlife. To fund this initiative, the bill appropriates $200,000 from the General Fund for the 2025-2027 biennium specifically to support the grant program for wildlife rehabilitation centers. The overall goal is to promote better understanding and management of wildlife in populated areas while ensuring the proper care of animals that need rehabilitation.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Measures/Overview/HB2980