Update from Oregon Wildlife Linkage Workshops, 2007 Oregon Chapter of The Wildlife Society February 14, 2008 – Salishan Resort, Oregon

Oregon Conservation Strategy Charting the course for conservation All states have now completed Wildlife Action Plans Unprecedented opportunity to work across ecoregions and to work with federal partners

Six Key Conservation Issues Land use changes Invasive species Changes in fire, flood regimes Water quality and quantity Institutional barriers to voluntary conservation Barriers to fish and wildlife movement

Oregon Wildlife Movement Strategy ODFW, ODOT co-leadODFW, ODOT co-lead ODFWs role: Identify wildlife prioritiesODFWs role: Identify wildlife priorities

Roads impact wildlife in several ways: Reduced population size Reduced population persistence Habitat loss RIP Direct mortality Reduce habitat quality Habitat lostAnimals die Indirect impacts Diagram modified, with permission from Jaeger et al., Ecological Modelling 185 (2005) 329–348

Linkages Working definition: Best place to provide for animal to provide for animal movement needs, with an emphasis on areas that cross roads ODFW convened four workshops in 2007ODFW convened four workshops in 2007 –Review session at The Wildlife Society –Bend, Roseburg, La Grande, & Alsea Linkage areas

ODFW linkage workshops Convened expertiseConvened expertise from agency, conservation organization, and private sectors from agency, conservation organization, and private sectors Breakout sessions worked with existing maps and with GISBreakout sessions worked with existing maps and with GIS Product: Identified linkage areas that cross transportation corridors throughout the stateProduct: Identified linkage areas that cross transportation corridors throughout the state

Large mammals –Elk –Mule deer –Black-tailed deer –Columbian white-tailed deer –Pronghorn –Black bear Small & medium sized mammals –Fisher –Marten –Western gray squirrel –White tailed jackrabbit Linkage workshop focal species list

Reptiles –Painted turtle –Western pond turtle –Western rattlesnake (in the Willamette ecoregion only) Amphibians –Columbia spotted frog –Oregon spotted frog –Tailed frog (inland & coastal) –Red-legged frog –Western toad –Cascades frog –Foothill yellow legged frog In practice: Identified herp areas based on habitat Linkage workshop focal species list, continued

Existing datasets Strategy habitatsStrategy habitats Vegetation typeVegetation type Strategy species modeled distributionStrategy species modeled distribution Land ownershipLand ownership Roads, highwaysRoads, highways Waterbodies, streamsWaterbodies, streams ODFW big game winter rangeODFW big game winter range Conservation Strategy priority habitats

Linkage ID: Focal species: Provide brief description (i.e., general habitat type; land cover; land ownership; drainage): 1. What type of linkage is provided for the focal species (Check all that apply): ___ Landscape – level linkage ___ Migratory link ___ Population link (provides for genetic interchange) ___ Complementary habitat (daily or seasonal movements) ___ Historic or previously functioning linkage (missing linkage) ___ Imminently missing linkage ___ Connectivity choke-point ___ Other 2. What are the most significant barriers to animal movement within the linkage area: __ Development (i.e., urbanization; planned changes in zoning) __ Roadways __ Natural barriers (i.e., lava beds; etc) ___ OHV trails ___ Vegetation management ___ Concrete median on highway ___ Other Linkage data form, page 1 of 2:

3. Score the value of this linkage for this focal species [see definitions and criteria page for guidance]: 1 (low value)2345 (critical value) 4. Score the overall threat to connectivity 1 (no threat/secure) 2345 (severe threat/loss imminent) 5. What specific opportunities are available to restore, establish or protect the linkage (i.e., known local support for restoration, land management, or acquisition)? 6. What existing features facilitate animal movement through the linkage area (check all that apply): __Waterway __Riparian habitat __Continual habitat coverage __Underpass/bridge __Other Linkage data form, page 2 of 2:

ODFW linkage dataset applications In many cases, flag linkage areas to do further surveys to confirm Work with ODOT and others to implement solutions

Implementation via ODFW/ODOT Liaison Program Project driven Provide a resource to assist with project scoping Fine tune the passage questions Develop site and species specific passage actions Monitoring

Next steps: Data processing Oregon linkage dataset represents Professional Opinion Getting all into digital, GIS format Can combine with modeling efforts, compare with Strategys COAs Example data model: Oregon Landscape permeability work

TaskWho?By when? Finish data entryPortland State U. student volunteers February 15, 2008 Peer reviewAll workshop participants + others By end of March, 2008 Update datasetPSU, ODFWEarly April 2008 More GIS Modeling? Partners welcome! Combine datasets with ODOT ODFW, workgroupMay 2008 Data processing timeline, February – May 2008:

Next steps: Regional coordination Oregons linkage work is similar to efforts in other states, regions throughout the U.S.Oregons linkage work is similar to efforts in other states, regions throughout the U.S. Exploring opportunities to work with adjacent statesExploring opportunities to work with adjacent states Western Governors Association initiativeWestern Governors Association initiative ODFW cannot do this alone!ODFW cannot do this alone! –Opportunity for partners, including conservation organizations; hunters groups; others

Wildlife crossings summit 2008 October , 2008October , 2008 Oregon ZooOregon Zoo Many events planned, includingMany events planned, including –Kick-off event –Symposia –Linking conservation data with transportation planning workshop Federal Highways – Defenders of Wildlife – NatureserveFederal Highways – Defenders of Wildlife – Natureserve –Wildlife Crossings training –Field trip For more information:

Acknowledgments For more information: –Audrey Hatch, 541 – 757 – 4263 x 242; – Workshop participants USFS, FHWA, ODOT, PSU for financial & in-kind contributions Our thanks to the photographers: Stephen Anderson Jason Blazar Bruce Campbell Claire Fiegener Lori Hennings Bob Hooten Brome McCreary Michael Murphy Tony Clevenger Bruce Newhouse Bruce Taylor Jennifer Thompson USFWS Mindy Trask