About Quinn
Quinn grew up in Washington and began her conservation career as a teenage volunteer for the Tahoma Bird Alliance of Oregon Society. There, she learned from titans like Thelma Gilmur and Helen Engle what it meant to dedicate one’s life to activism on behalf of the natural world. Portland Bird Alliance of Oregon has its own conservation legends, and Quinn is humbled and thrilled to be following in their footsteps.
Since moving to Portland in 2012, Quinn has worked for both state and national nonprofit organizations to protect Oregon’s wildlife and the habitats they depend on. As a brand new Oregonian, she worked with Oregon Wild to protect the wildlife and waters of the Klamath Basin. She then served as the Northwest Program Director for Defenders of Wildlife where she oversaw endangered species advocacy work throughout the Pacific Northwest. Most recently, Quinn worked with the Center for Biological Diversity as their Oregon policy director. She has also served on the Oregon’s Environmental Justice Council since 2018.
Quinn has deep experience in wildlife policy in Oregon. She has successfully advocated for increased protections for species – including Marbled Murrelets and beavers – before the Fish and Wildlife Commission. And she’s successfully advanced conservation legislation – including bills to address wildlife trafficking and the spread of zoonotic disease – before the state legislature. However, she is most proud of her work alongside community members organizing lobby days, community science projects, and advocacy workshops.
Quinn holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Washington and a law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law, where she was the recipient upon graduation of the James R. Webb award for the Outstanding Student in Environmental Law.
“On my first day with Portland Bird Alliance of Oregon, I arrived to a crowd of excited kiddos being dropped off for camp by their parents,” shared Quinn. “Over the course of the day, I encountered families walking the trails of the wildlife sanctuary, community members bringing injured wildlife to the care center, and so many devoted volunteers working at both the Wildlife Care Center and at the Nature Store. And I began to get acquainted with my incredible colleagues who are all doing such diverse and impactful work throughout the state. This is why I want to work at Portland Bird Alliance of Oregon. I’m excited to be a part of this remarkable community working together to create a more just, sustainable, and healthy environment for all people and wildlife.”
We hope you’ll join us in welcoming Quinn into the Portland Bird Alliance of Oregon community.
