Red Tree Vole on branch

Litigation Update: Protecting Red Tree Voles and Marbled Murrelets

We do much of our best conservation work by advocating directly to decision-makers with the support of our incredible community of activists. But when all else fails, litigation is an important tool to hold those decision-makers accountable. This June, we launched a new lawsuit to protect red tree voles, and we had another lawsuit to protect Marbled Murrelet habitat in the Elliott State Forest come full circle with a historic victory.

Read Post
Dead bird floating in the water, due to botulism outbreak at Klamath

Klamath Refuges Hit with One-Two Punch: Botulism and Avian Influenza

This spring, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) arrived in the Klamath Basin. By June it had spread among the Eared Grebes of the Klamath National Wildlife Refuge Complex, killing hundreds of birds. In early August, as water levels declined and water became warm and stagnant, another disease emerged, killing hundreds of birds in the first few days.

Read Post
Ron Spencer

A Legacy of Love for Oregon’s Wild Spaces

When Ron passed away, his family honored his memory by continuing his commitment to Bird Alliance of Oregon. They created the Ron L Spencer Conservation Fund and many joined our Legacy Circle, ensuring his passion for protecting Oregon’s wildlife and wild spaces lives on.

Read Post
Buckman Elementary Backyard Habitat garden

Making Sure Nature Is Always Accessible: How the Backyard Habitat Certification Program Supports Community Sites

In 2022, the Backyard Habitat Certification Program received funding to help improve the water quality in our local waterways. We are using these funding to financially support new and existing community sites and, more specifically, community sites that emphasized public equity and accessibility.

Read Post
Northern Spotted Owl on mossy branch

Amending the Northwest Forest Plan Presents Both Opportunity and Risk

For 30 years, the Northwest Forest Plan has helped protect mature and old-growth forests, Northern Spotted Owls, Marbled Murrelets, and other imperiled fish and wildlife on federal lands throughout the Pacific Northwest. Now, the Forest Service is amending the plan—ostensibly to address changing conditions related to climate change and wildfire. Depending on your perspective, this presents an incredible opportunity to strengthen or weaken the plan.

Read Post
Great Egret in breeding plumage

Forgotten Founder: Dr. Emma J. Welty

William Finley and Herman Bohlman may be the best known, but they are not the only founders of Oregon Audubon Society (now Bird Alliance of Oregon). Dr. Emma J. Welty was there at the start and stayed engaged for over 20 years.

Read Post