Three thoughts on consumers supporting wildlife areas other than via hunting
and fishing permits:
1. Folks might remember last year a bill to place a tax on bird seed was
talked about. Introducing it again might be a strategy.
https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Measures/Overview/HB2401
BIRDERS STEP UP FOR OREGON'S WILDLIFEBy Bob Sallinger, Conservation Director,
Audubon Society of Portland
Oregon bird lovers are stepping up to protect our state’s nongame wildlife—the
88% of wildlife that is not hunted or fished. Audubon, the Backyard Bird Shop
and a coalition of conservation organizations have introduced legislation that
would place a 10% tax on birdseed. The resultant revenue would help increase
wildlife viewing opportunities and protect native birds and their habitats. If
the bill passes, bird enthusiasts will be helping to support avian conservation
with every bag of birdseed that they buy.
The birdseed tax would catalyze a significant leap forward on funding the
Oregon Conservation Strategy and allow birders to participate in wildlife
conservation. Revenue would focus on: creating new wildlife-watching
opportunities on urban and rural landscapes; protecting native birds and other
wildlife and habitats prioritized in the Oregon Conservation Strategy; and
leveraging funds and promoting ecotourism and nature-based economic development
through partnerships with nonprofit groups, businesses and communities.
Currently, ODFW wildlife management of game animals in Oregon is funded largely
by hunters and anglers through license fees and federally-mandated
programs—nongame fish, birds and other wildlife receive only about 2% of the
ODFW budget.
Oregonians currently spend more than $40 million each year on birdseed. The
birdseed tax would be a significant first step toward ensuring that the State
has adequate resources to preserve native birds and their habitat. At a time
when nearly 25% of the avian species in Oregon are experiencing long-term
declines, creating a stable nongame wildlife program is essential.
2. Purchase the ODFW Habitat Conservation Stamp
http://www.dfw.state.or.us/conservationstrategy/habitat_conservation_stamp.asp
3. Purchase the US FWS Duck Stamp:
http://www.fws.gov/birds/get-involved/duck-stamp.php
From: larspernorgren@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: [boo] Fwd: ODFW catch 22
Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2016 12:59:28 -0800
To: boo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Begin forwarded message:From: Lars Per Norgren <larspernorgren@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: January 14, 2016 8:54:40 AM PST
To: obol@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: ODFW catch 22
First off, I believe the alternate website(boo) is the appropriate forum
for this weighty question. As a pre-teen I heard then Finley NWR biologist Fred
Zeilemaker refer to ODF&W as a "consumer oriented" institution. At the time (ca
1973) ODF&W was divesting itself of Camas Swale in Lane Co .. This was
excellent wildlife habitat, but wasn't providing the sort of hunting
opportunities to be found at Fern Ridge WMU. We birders are consumers, but in
the eyes of ODF&W, freeloaders. The minute we contribute to their revenue
stream ODF&W would presumably be more responsive.
How much money would be raised if a quarter of a penny tax on gasoline
was levied for ODF&W? Roads destroy lots of wildlife habitat, diminish the
value of much more. Cars kill lots of wildlife. Of course a host of jackass
polticians will hoot and toot no matter how miniscule the tax. And I realize
that socializing the funding does not really give birders a special vote. One
need only visit Fern Ridge or Sauvie Island WMU once to see how much good ODF&W
has done for the birding community. We are at a tipping point in our society's
evolution. Hunting and fishing are dying out while birding and related
activities are growing rapidly. Lars
