The oregon department of agriculture (ODA) and the oregon department of fish and wildlife (odfw)collaborate on vital work aimed at managing wolf-livestock conflicts in oregon

This federal Project Grant award from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Fish and Wildlife Service Region 1 provides $350,100 to the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) to manage wolf-livestock conflicts in Oregon. The funding supports the state's Wolf Depredation Compensation and Financial Assistance County Block Grant Program (CFDA 15.666 - Endangered Species Conservation-Wolf Livestock Loss Compensation and Prevention), which aims to reduce instances of wolf predation on livestock, assist affected livestock producers, foster community relationships, and support broader wolf conservation efforts. Key activities include providing financial assistance to livestock producers for proactive, non-lethal prevention measures and compensating producers for verified livestock losses due to wolf predation. This 21-month award runs from October 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026, aligning with the state's wolf management plan and promoting sustainable coexistence between people, livestock, and wolves in Oregon.

With the steady increasein the wolf population and geographical distribution, the need for effective management strategies isparamount. House bill 3560 (2011) established the wolf depredation compensation and financialassistance county block grant program to help address this challenge. The program s primary objectives are to reduce instances of wolf depredation on livestock, assistaffected livestock producers, foster cooperative relationships with local communities, leverage fundingresources effectively, and support broader wolf conservation and management efforts. Through financialassistance, livestock management techniques, and collaborative programs, the program seeks topromote sustainable coexistence between people, livestock, and wolves in oregon. Ultimately, thisinitiative aligns with odfw s wolf conservation and management plan, contributing to the overallconservation efforts while supporting oregon s ranching and farming industry.