Public News Service

Much of Oregon's BLM lands are in the southeastern part of the state. (John Chedsey/Adobe Stock)

Monday, April 22, 2024

New BLM rule creates opportunities for conservation in OR

Conservation and public access are on equal footing with other considerations for Bureau of Land Management lands under a recently announced rule…

Salmon populations have dwindled in the Northwest, hurting the orcas that rely on them for food. (Stanislav/Adobe Stock)

Next steps for recovery after endangered orca decision in OR

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has decided to list Southern Resident orcas as an endangered species. With it comes guidelines for how the …

Southern Resident orcas' habitat stretches from Canada to California. (CarloEmanuele/Adobe Stock)

OR to decide on added protections for decreasing orca population

Oregon officials are considering providing additional protections to orcas in the region. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will decide on …

The Big League Project is located near the Calapooia and Mohawk rivers' Watersheds. (Cascadia Wildlands)

Conservation groups seek to protect OR forest from logging project

Conservation groups have filed a lawsuit to block a logging project near Eugene. Cascadia Wildlands, Oregon Wild and Willamette Riverkeeper are …

The Biden administration has announced $196 million going out to 169 culvert repair projects across the country. (Jacob/Adobe Stock)

Federal Investment 'Incredible Opportunity' to Improve NW Fish Passage

Fish passage is set to improve in the Northwest with an investment from Congress's bipartisan infrastructure law. The Biden administration has …

A mural project celebrating the Endangered Species Act opens in Portland next Thursday. (Portland Street Art Alliance)

Murals Celebrate 50 Years of Endangered Species Act

Murals across the country are celebrating 50 years of the Endangered Species Act, including in Oregon. Congress passed the legislation in 1973 to …

Wildlife officials say whale entanglement numbers are likely much higher than recorded. (Andy-Kim M�ller/Adobe Stock)

OR Should Do More to Protect Whales from Entanglement, Group Says

A conservation group is calling on Oregon to do more to protect whales from fishing gear. Ben Enticknap, Pacific campaign manager and senior …

Southeastern Oregon is a mostly arid section of the state. (Bob/Adobe Stock)

Proposed Plan Protects 400,000 Acres in Southeastern OR

A newly released management plan for the Owyhee landscape in Oregon will bring greater protections for more than 400,000 acres of public land…

There are about 25,000 pronghorn in Oregon. (tomreichner/Adobe Stock)

BLM Funds to Restore Landscapes in OR

The federal government is investing $161 million to restore landscapes across the West, including in Oregon. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management …

A passage under U.S. Highway 97 south of Bend is one of Oregon's five completed wildlife crossings. (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife)

OR Lawmakers Consider Bill to Protect Wildlife from Busy Roads

Oregon lawmakers are considering a measure to increase the number of wildlife crossings in the state. Crossings help animals get under or over busy …

The pygmy rabbit has lost large chunks of its sagebrush habitat in recent decades. (randimal/Adobe Stock)

Western Groups File Petition to Protect Continent's Smallest Rabbit

Advocates are petitioning the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to save the smallest rabbit species in North America, the pygmy rabbit. Its habitat…

The Bonneville Dam is located about 40 miles east of Portland, Ore. (Dominic/Adobe Stock)

NW Energy Experts in DC Talking Grid Update, Saving Fish

Northwest energy experts and conservation leaders are in Washington, D.C. to urge policymakers to invest in modernizing the region's power grid…

The North Fork of the Smith River in Oregon was not included in 1990 protections for the river, which runs through California. (Zachary Collier/Northwest Rafting Co.)

Bill in Congress Would Protect Smith River Watershed in OR

A new bill in Congress would add greater protections to a river and its watersheds in southern Oregon. Oregon Democratic Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron …

The Yaquina River is located on the central Oregon coast, meeting the Pacific Ocean near Newport. (Bobby Hayden)

Update to Old Estuary Plans Starts in OR with Yaquina River

Oregon's estuaries - the wetlands where the ocean meets rivers and streams - are rich habitat for wildlife, and they even store carbon from the …

Wildlife mapping efforts of species such as pronghorn reply on GPS radio collaring. (Stephen/Adobe Stock)

Western Migration Mapping Efforts Seek Congressional Funding

Mapping migration routes is important for conserving species such as pronghorn, so supporters hope Congress will fund mapping efforts. The United …

The Ice Harbor dam in southeastern Washington is among those that could be breached to help Northwest salmon. (davidrh/Adobe Stock)

Public Comment Encouraged on Snake River Dams Removal Plan

A report from leaders in Washington state lays out how the services of four dams on the lower Snake River could be replaced in order to save ailing sa…

Small Oregon towns such as Westport, Clatskanine and Astoria support strong fishing economies. (Denise Walker/Adobe Stock)

Rural Communities Feel Brunt of Columbia Salmon Closure

The salmon-fishing season on the lower section of the Columbia River was shut down a week ago, prompting folks to call for more action to save the …

Seals bring their pups to Coquille Point in Oregon and nurse them on the shore. (David/Adobe Stock)

New Protections Designated for 'Fragile' OR Shoreline Sites

Oregon has added new protections to unique areas along the southern coast teeming with life. The state Land Conservation and Development Commission …

The Oregon Department of Transportation completed a wildlife crossing in 2012 along U.S. Route 97. (Simon Wray/Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife)

Bipartisan Call for Wildlife Crossings in OR from Infrastructure Funding

Oregon state lawmakers have crossed the political divide, coming together to ask for funding of wildlife crossings from Congress's infrastructure law…

Communities and agriculture are encroaching on the habitat of western painted turtles in Oregon. (Danita Delimont/Adobe Stock)

Bipartisan Conservation Bill Would Stem Species-Decline 'Crisis'

A bipartisan effort in Congress to curb the loss of plant and animal species could get a Senate committee vote as soon as this week. The Recovering …

The Lava Butte crossing in Central Oregon was used by 29 species in its first year. (Oregon Dept. of Transportation)

OR Wildlife Crossings Bill Aims to Reduce Potentially Deadly Collisions

A measure in the Oregon Legislature aims to reduce vehicle collisions with wildlife. House Bill 4130 would allocate $5 million for wildlife …

Salmon numbers in the Pacific Northwest could improve due to colder ocean temperatures. (Tyler Hulett/Adobe Stock)

Ocean Temperatures Favor Salmon, But Population Decline Still Concern

Recent data on ocean conditions could be good news for struggling salmon in the Northwest. But advocates for the species warn this isn't enough to …

According to the Xerces Society, the western monarch butterfly population has declined by 99.9% since the 1980s. (Adobe Stock)

Federal Legislation Could Mean Brighter Future for OR Monarch Butterflies

Oregon is a critical breeding ground for western monarch butterflies. Human disruption has destroyed much of the pollinator's native territories…

Anglers in the Columbia River Basin have been packing up earlier than normal this year. (ftfoxfoto/Adobe Stock)

Columbia River Basin Closures Put Fishing Jobs 'On Hold'

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Closed fisheries from imperiled fish runs in the Columbia River Basin are prompting calls for action before it's too late. …

A report on ecologically important rivers in Oregon highlights the Chetco River in the southwestern part of the state. (Zachary Collier/Flickr)

Research Pinpoints 'Best of the Best' Oregon Rivers to Conserve

PORTLAND, Ore. -- A new report identifies some of the most ecologically important rivers in Oregon. Conservation Science Partners looked at 54,000 …

U.S. Highway 20 runs through winter habitat for mule deer from Ontario to Burns, in eastern Oregon. (Jessica Sherry/Alita Films)

Solution to Wildlife Collisions Needed on OR Highway

VALE, Ore. - Eastern Oregonians are calling for a solution to wildlife collisions along a stretch of highway through the Malheur River Canyon…

As the Northwest feels the summer heat, salmon are struggling to migrate hundreds of miles upstream. (Conrad Gowell/Columbia Riverkeeper)

Northwesterners to Rally to Support Threatened Salmon

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Rallies are taking place across the Northwest to support salmon, which face dire conditions in the Columbia River Basin. Saturday…

The South Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve near Coos Bay supports 65 jobs. (Werewombat/Wikimedia Commons)

Report: Southern OR Coastal Reserve Has Big Local Impact

COOS BAY, Ore. -- A system of little-known public lands protecting sensitive coastal habitats generates big economic impacts for local communities…

This year, the entire state of Oregon is considered to be either in a drought or abnormally dry. (earagen/Adobe Stock)

Summer of Drought, Wildfires Could Devastate NW Salmon Species

PORTLAND, Ore. - There are signs this summer could be a bad one for the native salmon of the Northwest. Already, drought has gripped the region…

Salmon numbers are declining rapidly in the Snake River, the Columbia River's largest tributary. (norikko/Adobe Stock)

NW Groups: Pieces in Place to Address Salmon Decline

PORTLAND, Ore. - Groups are urging Northwest leaders to act on U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson's infrastructure and Snake River dam proposal. The plan would …

Catching salmon is big business for communities along the Oregon coast. (ftfoxfoto/Adobe Stock)

NW Proposal Could Boost Salmon 'Boat to Plate,' Supporters Say

PORTLAND, Ore. -- If the Pacific Northwest has a taste, it's for the region's salmon, but as the iconic fish species dwindles, it also effects a food …

The governors of Oregon and other Northwest states have signed an agreement to work on recovery of salmon and steelhead. (Portland Corp/Flickr)

NW Groups Call for Regional Approach to Saving Salmon

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Idaho Gov. Brad Little's workgroup to consider what to do about dwindling salmon numbers has wrapped up, as conservation groups in …

The Klamath River was once the third-largest salmon producing river on the West Coast. (Matt Baun/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

OR, CA Lend Help to Keep Klamath Dams' Demolition on Track

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -- Oregon and California are stepping in to save a project to remove dams from the Klamath River. The states are applying to co-…

A beaver graces Oregon's flag, but these animals are offered few protections by the state. Conservation groups are working to change that. (dixonmanor/Flickr)

Petition Calls to Protect Emblematic OR Species: Beavers

SALEM, Ore. -- Conservation groups are urging Oregon officials to protect an iconic state animal: the beaver. Organizations have submitted a …

Salmon run numbers continue to plummet in the Columbia River basin. (Oregon Dept. of Fish & Wildlife/Flickr)

Columbia River Basin Salmon in Hot Water

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Salmon in the Columbia River basin have been feeling the heat -- and experts say it's pushing fish species to the brink of …

A bill in Congress would create a $3 billion program for coastal restoration projects. (Iriana Shiyan/Adobe Stock)

Restoration Projects Could Be Key to COVID-19 Recovery for OR Coast

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Communities on the Oregon coast could see sorely needed investments from an infrastructure bill now in Congress. Jean Flemma…

A $250 million wildlife crossing pilot program is included in the Senate version of a major transportation bill. (Oregon Department of Transportation/Flickr)

Wildlife Advocates Push for Highway Crossing Funding

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Highway crossings play an integral role in keeping drivers and wildlife safe. Wildlife advocates want the U.S. House of …

The Northwest's endangered Southern Resident orcas rely on Chinook salmon, whose population also is dwindling. (John Durban/NOAA Fisheries)

Marking Endangered Species Day, and Law That Makes it Possible

PORTLAND, Ore. - Organizations are putting a spotlight on species "on the brink" today, for Endangered Species Day. The celebration was created by …

Oregon wolves are federally listed as endangered in the western part of the state. (ODFW/Flickr)

Despite Increase, OR Wolves Still in Precarious Recovery Position

PORTLAND, Ore. -- A new wolf count shows growth in Oregon's wolf population, but conservation groups say there's still a long way to go to recovering …

Wildlife crossings for U.S. Highway 97 in central Oregon could serve as templates for the rest of the state. (Simon Wray/ODFW)

Survey: Strong Support in OR for Protecting Wildlife Migration Routes

PORTLAND, Ore. - Most Oregonians want to protect wildlife migration corridors, according to the latest poll results. The survey - commissioned by …

The John C. Boyle Dam, southwest of Klamath Falls, is one of four dams slated for removal as early as 2022. (Bobjgalindo/Wikimedia Commons)

Salmon Advocates See Hope in Planned Removal of Klamath Dams

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -- Advocates for salmon hope the timeline holds for dam removal on the Klamath River, saying it's a race against time to make …

The low numbers of salmon returning to Northwest rivers are raising concerns about a future without these fish. (Bureau of Land Management/Flickr)

Energy, Environmental Groups: Collaboration Possible on Snake River Dams

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Energy companies and conservation groups want to bridge the divide on a contentious issue in the Northwest: the future of four …

Rogue River rafting outfitter Zach Collier is excited about potential federal protection of his favorite watershed, Baldface Creek, in southern Oregon. (Zachary Collier/Flickr)

Senate Committee Approves Bill to Protect Treasured OR Landscapes

PORTLAND, Ore. – A bill to protect unique Oregon landscapes has made it through a key committee in the U.S. Senate. Introduced by Sens…

A new report says pesticide runoff is poisoning Chinook salmon, a main food source for the Northwest's orcas. (Oregon State University/Flickr)

Report: Pesticides Threatening Iconic OR Species

PORTLAND, Ore. – The wide use of pesticides is pushing some species in Oregon and across the country to the brink. A new report from the …

Oregon's state bird, the western meadowlark, is considered a sensitive species that would benefit from proactive conservation efforts. (Becky Matsubara/Flickr)

House Bill Could Be "Watershed Moment" for Wildlife Conservation

PORTLAND, Ore. – A bill in Congress would aid states in their efforts to conserve species before they are in crisis. The Recovering America's …

There are 137 known wolves in Oregon, according to the latest count. (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife/Flickr)

OR Hosts Meeting on Removing Endangered Species Protections for Wolves

PORTLAND, Ore. – With no official public meetings scheduled on a proposal to remove Endangered Species protections for gray wolves, community …

Coho salmon numbers in Oregon dropped below 30,000 in the 1990s from historic averages above 1 million. (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife/Flickr)

Groups Urge Greater Protections for Salmon from Logging

PORTLAND, Ore. – Conservation and fishing groups are calling on Oregon to enact stronger protections for salmon from the effects of logging…

While wolves are recovering, the group Oregon Wild notes there is only one breeding pair in western Oregon. (Oregon Dept. of Fish and Widlife/Flickr)

Trump Administration Proposes Ending Gray Wolf Protections

PORTLAND, Ore. - The U.S. Department of the Interior will roll out plans to remove Endangered Species Act protections for the gray wolf, acting …

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