James Davis doing keynote address at UERC Luncheon in 2007

Remembering James Davis

In December 2022, the Portland Audubon community lost a beloved member of the flock. James Davis, an amazing naturalist and educator, served as Portland Audubon’s first director of education and his vision and expertise laid the foundation for much of the programming that continues to this day.

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A Bald Eagle flies out of a white enclosure in a field full of yellow flowers.

Bob Sallinger: 30 Years at Portland Audubon

Bob Sallinger’s 30 years as an advocate, activist, naturalist, wildlife researcher, and wildlife rehabber, and his deep ties to the community, have led to many of the most exciting conservation wins in Portland Audubon’s history, and not only have saved the lives of countless wild animals, but have transformed the Oregon landscape for future generations.

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White-crowned Sparrows drawing

The Future of the Name Audubon

Over the last few years, coinciding with a time of racial reckoning, the birding community has been rethinking its relationship with the John James Audubon name. That the name Audubon celebrates a slaveholder who held white supremacist views goes against that ethic and commitment. That’s why Portland Audubon supports a name change that would echo across all Audubon chapters.

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Ross, Dean, and Harriet Anderson

Remembering a Lifelong Portland Audubon Champion – Harriet Anderson

Harriet was an incredible volunteer and supporter of Portland Audubon since the early 1960’s who believed sincerely in our work and contributed to most, if not all, of Portland Audubon’s most significant projects. Her last legacy was initiating the renovations and updates to Marmot Cabin, where we hold camps and Outdoor School for youth, with a considerable lead gift.

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Harry Nehls birding

A Rare Bird: Remembering Harry Nehls

Harry was involved with the organization in one way or another for 64 years, amassing volunteer hours that would take most people three lifetimes. His contributions to Portland Audubon were enormous, including writing the Sightings and Field Notes columns in the Warbler for decades, and serving as board president, editor of the Warbler, and volunteer manager, as well as being a trip leader and class instructor.

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Great Egret babies in their nest

How the Oregon Audubon Society Saved Egrets in Oregon

Portland Audubon has dedicated 120 years of dedicated service protecting birds and their habitat across the state. We look back and celebrate one of the many ways Oregon has been changed for the better due to an early advocacy campaign that helped save Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, and other waterbirds in Southern Oregon.

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A Bald Eagle flies out of a white enclosure in a field full of yellow flowers.

Wildlife Care Center: Past, Present, and Future

William Finley understood something when he founded Portland Audubon in 1902 that remains an essential part of how we approach conservation today: Having empathy and appreciation for the wild animals that surround us is often the first step toward developing a conservation ethic. The new building will allow us to do so much more for the animals, and engage so many more people in the life-changing experience of helping a wild animal.

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Black and white residents from the town of Maxville gathering for a group photo1924-33

Oregon Black Pioneers

Today it is hard to find evidence of those trailblazing Black settlers. Oregon Black Pioneers (OBP), Oregon’s only statewide African American historical society, is working to change that.

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A photo of Kahler Martinson standing in a wetlands.

Remembering Kahler Martinson

Kahler was one of the giants of Portland Audubon over the past three decades, serving on our board of directors, Conservation Committee, and two tours of duty donating his time as Interim Executive Director during periods of transition.

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