Policy Priorities
Photo by Micheal Drewry
Policy Platform
In state and federal policy issues, we represent the interests of land trusts and work to advance conservation in Oregon.
Every year COLT’s board of directors develops a policy platform to guide our collective work.
Legislative Wrap Up
2023
After an unpredictable and bumpy session, we are coming away with many wins for the environment, including funding for source water protection, natural climate solutions, Forest Legacy, and Tribally-led natural area restoration.
But the biggest disappointment of this session was learning that the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program (OAHP) would not be funded this year —despite broad and bipartisan support.
We are sad and surprised at this outcome, but we are not done fighting for OAHP. We will be back again in the new year advocating for full grant funding for 2024 to protect working agriculture and ranch lands across the state.
Photo courtesy of Deschutes Land Trust.
While the fight for OAHP continues, there’s still a lot to celebrate this session. Check out the full legislative wrap up to learn more.
News Policy Priorities
Press release—$10.7 million coming to Oregon to protect forest land
Legislative Wrap Up: Big Wins for the Environment and the Continued Fight for OAHP
Press release—Oregon legislature approves new $5 million fund to protect community drinking water
Action Alert: Tell your Legislators to Fund the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program!
Press release—NOAA grant helps secure culturally significant lands for The Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians
Press release—State approves funding for seven projects that protect farm and ranch land across Oregon
Lobbying in D.C.: Land Trust Alliance 2023 Advocacy Days
Action Alert: Advocate for the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program
Legislative Session: Two-Month Recap of Oregon’s Legislative Session
How We’re Advocating for Land Trusts this Legislative Session
Press release—Congress passes Integrity Act, halting abuse of federal conservation easement tax incentive
Press release—Spence Mountain protected thanks to Forest Legacy Program
Action Alert: Urge Oregon Leaders to Pass the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act and the Easement Integrity Act
Opinion: The Tax Benefits of Land Conservation Are in Peril, But There is a Solution
What the Inflation Reduction Act means for land trusts
Press release—Oregon working lands receive historic investment
Press release—Legislature approves $5 million to save Oregon farms
Our priorities for the 2022 legislative session
Top Oregon Policy Priorities
2023
The 2023 long session ran 160 days—from January 17 until June 25. COLT focused on policies and programs that protect working farm, ranch, and forest lands and increase funding for land acquisition.
One of COLT’s top priorities this session is securing additional funding for the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program (OAHP). OAHP was designed by agricultural and conservation groups to protect farm and ranch land, keep it in production, and enhance its natural resource value. The program received its first allocation of $5 million in 2022, but additional funds are needed to build a successful program that will serve as a sustained source of state match funding for federal Agricultural Conservation Easement dollars.
COLT, along with a broad coalition of conservation and agriculture groups, are supporting the following budget requests for OAHP:
- $800,000 for administration of the OAHP (POP 115)
- $10 million in general funds for OAHP grants (POP 215)
Top Federal Policy Priorities
2023
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is a bipartisan effort that would provide $1.3B for state and $97.5M for Tribes to protect and conserve non-game species.
This funding is crucial for addressing endangered species conservation across Oregon, and would provide a much-needed infusion of dollars for fish and wildlife agencies throughout the country.
Top State Policy Priorities
2022
COLT's top priority this short session is to secure $5 million in funding for the Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program (OAHP). OAHP was designed by agricultural and conservation groups to protect farm and ranch land, keep it in production, and enhance its natural resource value. Established in 2017, OAHP is administered by Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board and is ready to implement, but it has yet to be funded.
COLT, along with a broad coalition of conservation and agriculture groups are asking you to join us in reaching out to your legislators and ask that they make a budget request of $5M for OAHP.
