We are constructing a large experimental facility that will support research efforts aimed at managing the population dynamics of voles.
We received funding from the Oregon Seed Research Institute to construct four large vole enclosures to facilitate experimental research into gray-tailed voles in the Willamette Valley. Four were built in 2025 and another four in 2026, bringing the total to eight. Each enclosure is 0.4 hectares in size (about 1 acre) once constructed and planted with suitable crops will have founder populations introduced. These enclosures will be used to conduct experiments guided by the Willamette Vole Management working group priorities into vole population monitoring and management.
The construction of the first 0.4 ha vole enclosure at Hyslop field station
These enclosures will be key to understanding what works and what doesn’t when it comes to vole population management.
