This New Approach to Wildlife Revenue Could Be a Plus for Conservation

Oregon enacted House Bill 4134, raising the transient lodging tax to fund wildlife conservation.

The new revenue is expected to support invasive species control, wildlife law enforcement, habitat connectivity, and stewardship grants starting Jan. 1.

The state will collect about $37 million a year for hundreds of at-risk species, backed by bipartisan support.

Advocates say the dedicated funding stream could become a model for other states that depend too much on hunting and fishing license revenue.