American White Pelicans

A Win for Harney County Collaboration

$2.5 million was allocated to the Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative and High Desert Partnership via the legislature which will provide funding for the collaborative work in the area to continue and will also support Bird Alliance of Oregon’s work to understand reed canarygrass, its effects on birds and macroinvertebrates, and methods for treating reed canarygrass to best support wildlife.

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Oxbow Nature Education on bank of river

Environmental Justice and Bird Alliance of Oregon: Past, Present, and Future

Bird Alliance of Oregon has a long history of working to advance conservation initiatives that incorporate key tenets of the environmental justice movement. This work is especially important now because we have reached a critical point in terms of environmental damage and social and environmental justice reckoning.

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A photo of a flock of Pacific Black Brants entering the water.

Protecting Oregon’s Estuaries, Starting with Yaquina Bay

Oregon’s coastline is blessed with 22 major estuaries, where Oregon’s forests and rivers meet the ocean, and these estuaries are the engines that power salmon, waterbirds, Dungeness crab, oysters, cultural resources, and jobs for many people in coastal communities. It is crucial that Oregon update all their estuary plans to provide the strongest habitat protections possible to ensure a vibrant economy.

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Roseate Spoonbill

Deepening Our Commitment to Sustainable Travel: Carbon Offsets and So Much More

As of July 2023, every Bird Alliance of Oregon trip will include carbon offsets as a member of the Sustainable Travel International. The program also works alongside local communities, engaging travelers, businesses, and policy-makers in responsible practices. Through this work, they aim to combat climate change and empower communities to preserve destinations around the globe.

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Quinn Read at the Sanctuary

Continuing Over a Century of Conservation at Bird Alliance of Oregon

This opportunity to work with Bird Alliance of Oregon feels like coming full circle. I am deeply humbled to join an organization that has been shaped by visionary leaders, like Bob Sallinger, and it’s an honor to be a part of this unparalleled community of staff, activists, volunteers, students, and supporters. I look forward to working with you, together for nature.

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Quinn Read

Bird Alliance of Oregon Welcomes Our New Conservation Director, Quinn Read

We are thrilled to welcome our new conservation director, Quinn Read, to the Portland Bird Alliance of Oregon flock. Quinn has been a major player in the Oregon environmental movement for more than a decade. Whether she’s collaborating with partners or fighting down in Salem, we’re excited for Quinn’s leadership to help continue Portland Bird Alliance of Oregon’s 121 legacy of protecting the natural world.

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A photo of a drone hovering over the beach at sunset.

Minimizing Drone Impacts to Wildlife in Oregon State Parks

In recent years recreational drone use has skyrocketed, reflecting a nationwide trend. This in turn has led to increasing disturbances to birds, marine mammals, and other wildlife. Such disturbances have been documented to negatively impact nesting success of many bird species.

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Two dogs on the beach disturbing a nesting Snowy Plover

Coastal Birds Face a Growing Threat: Wildlife Disturbance

Vulnerable birds, like threatened Snowy Plovers, that use our coastline have evolved over thousands of years to deal with the hazards of near-constant wind, rip tides and storm surges, hot and cold weather, and predators stealing eggs and young. Only in the last century have they had to deal with a high volume of people recreating directly within their nesting areas.

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Marine Reserves - People standing on rocks in front of the ocean with hands up in the air

Turn the Tide: Fully Fund Oregon’s Marine Reserve Program

A decade ago, Oregonians recognized the importance of our ocean and the value of protecting it with the creation of the state’s Marine Reserves Program. Despite its success, this legislative session, both the governor’s office and legislative leadership have proposed cuts to the Marine Reserves Program in the next biennium which wouldn’t just threaten the designated sites themselves, but would threaten the good will of ocean communities and stakeholders.

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