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Wildlife Habitat Conservation and Management Program (WHCMP)
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Program level:
State
Provider:
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)
Benefits provided:
Financial
Land use:
Forest, Agriculture
Water-focused program:
No
A property tax incentive to private landowners who want to provide wildlife habitat on their properties instead of, or in addition to, farming, growing timber, or other land uses.
Overview
Description:
The Wildlife Habitat Conservation and Management Program (WHCMP) is a cooperative effort involving state and local governments and other partners to incentivize private landowners to voluntarily conserve native wildlife habitat. The Oregon Legislature created the WHCMP to offer a property tax incentive to private landowners who want to provide wildlife habitat on their properties instead of, or in addition to, farming, growing timber or other land uses. Under the WHCMP, land subject to an approved wildlife habitat conservation and management plan receives a wildlife habitat special assessment, where property taxes are assessed at the relatively low value that would apply if the land were being farmed or used for commercial forestry.
Eligibility:
If you are a landowner in a participating county you may be eligible. Not all counties are currently participating in the program and only those counties currently participating are able to enroll landowners.
To qualify for a wildlife habitat special property tax assessment, the property must be located within an area or zone designated for participation in the WHCMP. Applicants must have county or city planning department fill out an Eligibility Certification Form to confirm that the property is eligible for the program.
Complete the Landowner Interest Form and submit it to your local ODFW district office with the signed eligibility form. These forms will help the local ODFW biologist determine if your property has the wildlife habitat characteristics necessary to qualify for enrollment in the WHCMP.
Financial benefit:
Tax incentives vary. Please contact Nancy Taylor to find out more.
Contact information
Information last updated on July 15, 2025.
Planning Importance
Developing a forest, agricultural, or conservation plan helps identify and prioritize objectives for landowners. These objectives can determine what type programs to search for. Supporting organizations in your area often provide free consultation and planning.
Landscape Characteristics
See how your land fits into the broader context of regional conservation, ecosystem services, and working lands' values across the landscape through our interactive mapper tool. It could help you determine which program is a good fit for you!
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