The Oregon Conservation & Recreation Fund (Fund) is a new way for Oregonians to support projects that protect and enhance the species and habitats identified in the Oregon Conservation Strategy and create new opportunities for wildlife watching, urban conservation, community science, and other wildlife-associated recreation. The Oregon legislature created this Fund in 2019.
For most of our history, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s work to protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and their habitats was paid for by the relatively small number of people who hunt and fish. This new Fund is an opportunity for ALL Oregonians to demonstrate support for building a broader conservation legacy for present and future generations.
The Oregon Conservation & Recreation Advisory Committee (Committee) was created to advise the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission on expenditures from the Fund.
In 2019, the Oregon legislature put $1 million in tax monies (the General Fund) aside for this Fund, but ODFW could not access those state dollars unless the Department raised matching funds of $1 million. A total of $545,000 in donations was matched with state General Fund. Your contribution to the Conservation & Recreation Fund was vital to helping us meet this goal and making your voice heard as a supporter of fish and wildlife conservation!
As of July 2021, the Oregon Conservation & Recreation Fund has just over $2.5 million in state funds available to support fish and wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation in the state. The need to generate an additional $1 million from the private sector as match continues. Thank you for your interest and support.
Your gift:
- will be matched dollar-for-dollar with public funds
- supports critically important conservation and recreation projects led by conservation organizations across the state
- motivates the legislature to invest more public dollars in conservation of fish, wildlife, and their habitats in the future
Help create a conservation legacy for the people of Oregon with your gift to the Conservation & Recreation Fund

Want to learn more? Contact us at odfw.ocrf@odfw.oregon.gov
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