Advocates gathered in support of HB 4134
| Contact: Danielle Moser, Oregon Wild |
Salem, Ore., – Hundreds of wildlife and habitat advocates from across the state gathered in Salem today in support of HB 4134, the “1.25% for Wildlife” legislation. HB 4134 has garnered broad, bipartisan support from a diverse coalition of hunters, anglers, farmers, ranchers, conservationists, rural and urban communities, and over 100 businesses from across the state.
“This bill must pass this year,” said Oregon Wild Wildlife Program Manager Danielle Moser before the crowd gathered on the Capitol steps. “The longer we wait to address species and the habitats that sustain them, the more costly it becomes, and the more difficult it becomes.”
Oregon House Representative Ken Helm also addressed the crowd, calling the bill a “unicorn” because it had bipartisan, bicameral support.
After the rally, participants dispersed to attend pre-scheduled meetings with their elected representatives to discuss the importance of investing in Oregon’s natural heritage and how wildlife conservation and other aspects of the bill relate to their own experiences and values.
Healthy ecosystems support clean drinking water, reduce wildfire risk, sustain Oregon’s outdoor economy, and protect public health. Early investments in conservation can prevent species from declining to crisis levels, avoiding higher costs and greater conflict in the future.
HB 4134 would dedicate a small portion of Oregon’s lodging tax to support wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, wildfire risk reduction, and conservation workforce development. Supporters say the proposal represents a forward-looking and fiscally responsible approach to protecting Oregon’s natural legacy while investing in Oregon’s outdoor recreation economy.
