The current status of most small mammal species in oregon are uncertain, however, in the state wildlife action plan (previously oregon conservation strategy) several are identified as species of…

The Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 1 awarded the State of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife $414,280 on January 1, 2026, under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611) to develop non-invasive sampling methodologies and design protocols for statewide assessment of small mammal populations in Oregon.

Oregon has lacked contemporary statewide small mammal survey data for over 25 years; the most recent comprehensive records date to 1998. Several small mammal species are identified in Oregon's State Wildlife Action Plan as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (western gray squirrel, red tree vole) or Species of Greatest Information Need (Preble's shrew, white-footed vole). This first phase of a multi-phase project addresses methodological barriers—lack of demonstrated non-invasive sampling approaches applicable at scale, high costs of live-trapping, and limited staffing and funding. The work leverages technological advances including remote cameras, environmental DNA analysis, hair genotyping, and scat metabarcoding to develop a suite of non-invasive tools for execution statewide.

Oregon State University received a sub-award (F26AF00213-449-25, dated May 14, 2026) to execute this methods and sampling design development work. Products from the grant will be made available to ODFW staff and partner organizations to inform implementation of subsequent project phases and support statewide methodology deployment.

The period of performance runs from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027. Work is performed in Oregon.

The current status of most small mammal species in oregon are uncertain, however, in the state wildlife action plan (previously oregon conservation strategy) several are identified as species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) e.g., western gray squirrel, and red tree vole, while many others are recognized as species of greatest information need (sgin, e.g., preble?S shrew and white-footed vole). Small mammal populations are critical components to oregon?S ecosystems, with essential roles as in the regulation of plant communities, as ecosystem engineers, and as key a resource to many predators. Yet the most recent data we have on a state-wide scale to inform their status assessments and management are records stemming from the text ?land mammals of oregon? By verts & carraway (1998). These data are now over 25 years out of date. The lack of contemporary data on small mammals in the state is due to a confluence of factors including 1) lack of demonstrated non-invasive sampling methodologies for small mammals that can be applied at large scales, 2) high cost of sustained live-trapping efforts, and 3) limited staff and funding resources. Technological advances in wildlife sampling including remote cameras, environmental DNA, genotyping hair, and metabarcoding of scats provide an unprecedented opportunity to develop a suite of non-invasive tools for state-wide execution. Pittman robertson funds allocated through this grant will address the first phase of this proposal as a part of a multi-phase project, focused on methods and sampling design development. The products developed through this PR grant will facilitate implementation of future project phases. Products produced will be available for odfw staff and partner use and inform future work to further address gaps in knowledge of small mammals in oregon and implement methodology statewide.