Wildlife Habitat Conservation and Management Program (WHCMP)

• WHCMP Program Brochure (pdf)

Purpose of the habitat program: Provide an incentive for habitat conservation

The Wildlife Habitat Conservation and Management Program (habitat program), administered by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), is a cooperative effort involving state and local governments and other partners to help private landowners voluntarily conserve native wildlife habitat. The Oregon Legislature created the habitat program to offer an incentive for private landowners who want to provide wildlife habitat on their properties instead of, or in addition to, farming, growing timber or other land uses. Under the habitat program, land subject to an approved wildlife habitat conservation and management plan receives a wildlife habitat special assessment, where property taxes are assessed at the relatively low value that would apply if the land were being farmed or used for commercial forestry.

Objective of the habitat program: Preserve, enhance or improve significant native habitat

The objective of the habitat program is to preserve, enhance or improve the composition, structure or function of habitat for native wildlife species. Prior to 2003 the habitat program was available only to rural landowners with properties zoned for exclusive farm use or mixed farm and forest use. House Bill 3616 in 2003 added land that is clearly identifiable as containing significant wildlife habitat. Now, counties and cities can select lands for eligibility based on zoning and/or significant native wildlife habitat.

• Map of Participating Counties (pdf)
• County/City Manual (pdf)
• Landownder Guide (pdf)
• Eligibility Certification Form (pdf)
• Sample Plan Template (pdf)
• Sample Plan Template (doc)
• Resources for Wildlife Habitat Conservation in Oregon
• Statute ORS 308A-400 (pdf)