Regulated wildlife
Oregon is home to a diverse range of wildlife, many of which receive special protections to ensure their conservation. These protections, which help safeguard habitats and promote biodiversity, are guided by federal and state regulations established by the following government agencies:
- Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) — Oversees protections under the Oregon Forest Practices Act (OFPA).
- Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) — Manages state-level species protections.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) — Implements federal protections under the Endangered Species Act.
- National Marine Fisheries Service — Focuses on aquatic and marine species protections.
Wildlife may also receive special protections through voluntary actions or certification programs, such as the American Tree Farm System or Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
Monitoring and caring for regulated wildlife
Landowners play a critical role in monitoring and caring for regulated wildlife by actively managing their properties to support healthy habitats. This can include actions such as preserving nesting sites, protecting riparian zones, controlling invasive species, and adjusting management activities to avoid disturbing wildlife during sensitive periods such as breeding or migration.
Regular monitoring helps landowners stay informed about the wildlife on their property, identify potential risks and comply with conservation regulations.
Caring for regulated wildlife not only supports biodiversity but also contributes to the overall health and resilience of Oregon’s ecosystems, ensuring these species thrive for generations to come.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
PUBLICATIONS
Nesting Periods for Species in the Oregon Forest Practices Act
This chart summarizes the nesting periods for bird species protected by the OFPA.
Wildlife in Managed Forests: Forest Practices Act Reference Series
These fact sheets, produced by the Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI), help forest managers plan management activities that have the potential to impact forest-dwelling birds such as the bald eagle, marbled murrelet or osprey. The fact sheets specifically outline the nesting seasons of all the birds, plus a few more species that are protected by the OFPA.
A Guide to Priority Plant and Animal Species in Oregon Forests
This OFRI publication is designed to help forest landowners and land managers understand how forests provide habitat for different wildlife and plant species. It describes the specific habitat requirements of selected species found in forested habitats across all ecoregions in Oregon.
Hawk, Eagle and Osprey Management on Small Woodlands
Raptors, or birds of prey, include hawks, eagles and osprey. Raptors benefit from small woodlots because most of their food is small mammals, along with some birds and reptiles. This publication discusses raptors, their habitat, and management techniques for small woodlands.
Managing Pacific Northwest Forests for Band-Tailed Pigeons
The welfare of the Pacific Coast population of the band-tailed pigeon is directly related to forestland management in Oregon and Washington, and is therefore of interest to small forest landowners. This publication discusses the species’ history, population status and management.
OTHER
USFWS Endangered Species
A list of federally listed, proposed, candidate and delisted species, as well as species of concern, categorized by state.
USFWS Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC)
IPaC is a project planning tool that helps you identify potential protected species near your property.
ODFW Threatened, Endangered and Candidate Fish and Wildlife Species
The state of Oregon and the federal government maintain separate lists of threatened and endangered species. This list shows the species in Oregon that are considered threatened and endangered under state law.