An operating charitable Foundation spends most of its income on programs that address its mission. It operates like every other public charity, drawing on multiple types of support to underwrite expenses.

In the case of Oregon Wildlife Foundation, policy-neutral means we don’t take positions regarding how our fish and wildlife resources are managed. OWF supports existing policy and doesn’t lobby or attempt to influence public officials to make changes in policies governing the management of our natural resources.

Yes. OWF is a proponent of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation whose principles include that “every person has an equal opportunity under the law to participate in hunting and fishing.” Go here for more information about the seven interdependent principles that underlie the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.

OWF has been an ODFW partner since our founding in 1981. We are not the department's philanthropic arm, but we work closely with them on initiatives and projects that support wildlife conservation in Oregon. Click here to learn more about the variety of projects that OWF and ODFW have worked on together over the years.

Our principal aim is to ensure that scientifically sound wildlife conservation projects don’t go unfunded because the State of Oregon may not have sufficient resources. OWF has private capital and the ability to rally additional public funding support to help ensure that priority projects are implemented.

Over the years, OWF has developed programs to support wildlife and habitat conservation in Oregon. These include small grants, fiscal sponsorship, capital campaigns, and most recently, land conservation and stewardship. OWF also owns and operates retail gift stores in the Columbia River Gorge at Bonneville Fish Hatchery and in downtown Hood River. Proceeds from the sales at our stores support our work. Learn more about our retail store program, Spruce Gifts & Provisions, by visiting this page on our website.

OWF does not work directly with injured or orphaned wildlife. If you see an injured or baby animal, the best thing to do is leave it alone - human intervention often worsens the situation. 

Young animals are rarely orphaned, so leave them where you find them. Chances are good mom is nearby, just waiting for you to go before she returns to her baby. Leaving young wildlife where they are is the right thing to do. Picking it up and taking it home is illegal. For more information on encounters with possibly orphaned or young wildlife, visit the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Oregon Bird Alliance

If you see injured birds or small mammals in the greater Portland, Oregon, area, you can contact the Oregon Bird Alliance’s Wildlife Care Center Hotline at 503-292-0304. If you see an animal that is a threat to your safety, please contact local law enforcement. The Wildlife Care Center accepts injured and orphaned birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians found in Oregon. They operate their Injured Wildlife Hotline from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., 365 days a year. They cannot accept any injured or sick ADULT ducks or geese, and have limited ability to accept ducklings and goslings (see their avian flu intake policy on their website at Wildlife Care Center - Bird Alliance of Oregon).

OCCRA

On-Call Community Rescue for Animals (OCCRA) is a volunteer group committed to transporting injured or sick wildlife in the North Willamette Watershed district. Serving members of the community who do not have means of transportation or do not feel safe handling wildlife, in six counties—Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Columbia, Yamhill, and most of Marion—their team works tirelessly to ensure small mammals and birds in need are safely delivered to licensed wildlife rehabilitators within the district (mainly Bird Alliance of Oregon). While they do not handle larger animals like coyotes, deer, or bear, the demand for OCCRA’s services continues to grow, and they are actively recruiting volunteers to join us in this vital mission to protect and support our local wildlife.

You can reach OCCRA 24 hours a day by calling or texting 971-645-3450 or emailing them at occra.pdx@gmail.com. Whether you’re looking to volunteer, donate, or explore other ways to help, visit their website at www.occrapdx.org for more information. 

Extended Areas

For wildlife issues outside the Portland metropolitan area, please review the information at ODFW Wildlife Rehabilitation to find a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in your area.

For more information on Wildlife Encounters, visit ODFW FAQ About Injured and Young Wildlife.