The objective of this grant is to evaluate the presence, distribution, habitat use, and reproductive success of oregon conservation strategy species and protected species

The State of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife received a formula grant award of $559,033 from the U.S. Department of the Interior's Fish and Wildlife Service under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611) for the period July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. This award supports wildlife conservation research and monitoring activities focused on Oregon Conservation Strategy Species and protected species throughout Oregon.

The grant funds two primary research objectives: (1) investigation of how forest thinning and riparian restoration impacts native bird and bat species, including the collection of pre-treatment data to assess species response to large-scale restoration efforts, and (2) monitoring of survival, movement, and reproductive success of golden eagles in northeast Oregon. The research will document the presence, distribution, habitat use, and reproductive success of target species including white-headed woodpeckers, Lewis's woodpeckers, hoary bats, and California myotis. By establishing baseline ecological and biological data on these species and their habitat relationships, the project will directly inform land management practices, restoration planning, and long-term forest and riparian management decisions across the state.

Documenting relationships between conservation and protected species and their habitat can influence land management practices, restoration plans, and long-term forest or riparian planning. Additionally, for many bird and BAT species, including several oregon conservation strategy species such as white-headed woodpecker, lewiss woodpecker, hoary BAT, and california myotis, little baseline data exists on habitat requirements, demography, or basic ecological and biological information. Our current research consists of two overarching objectives. Objective 1 will investigate how forest thinning and riparian restoration impacts native bird and BAT species. This project will collect pre-treatment data to assess the response of birds and bats to these large-scale restoration efforts. Objective 2 will investigate the survival, movement, and reproductive success of golden eagles in northeast oregon.