Nov. 2, 2024
Staff and board at WaterWatch of Oregon are heartbroken to learn of the death of long-time Oregon conservationist Bob Sallinger, who served as the executive director of Willamette Riverkeeper and Bird Conservation Oregon, in addition to his 30 years as conservation director at the Bird Alliance of Oregon in its previous incarnation as Portland Audubon. Bob died on Thursday at the age of 57.
A graduate of Reed College, Bob was involved in numerous efforts around the state to protect species and ecosystems, from his work developing protections for imperiled wildlife and mature trees in Elliott State Forest, establishing and expanding green spaces around Portland, collaborative efforts in Eastern Oregon on the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge comprehensive conservation plan, preserving birds and habitat in the Klamath Basin, and perhaps most dramatically, his rappelling of the St. Johns, Interstate, and other Portland-area bridges to band young peregrine falcons.
“Bob had built his legacy some time ago, and he had so much more to do for Oregon’s water and wildlife,” said WaterWatch executive director Neil Brandt. “I know I speak for our organization that we are devastated to learn of his passing. Bob’s array of accomplishments, victories, and spirit of collaboration made him the go-to person for getting a project off the ground.”
“Bob was a true conservation heavyweight, like no other,” said John DeVoe, former WaterWatch executive director and the organization’s senior fundraiser and advisor. “It was always a great comfort whenever Bob showed up in any negotiation because he was an ally and advocate who was true, in the deepest sense of the word, to conservation, and he had the chops to secure results that mattered for birds, fish, wildlife, and special places across Oregon. I am deeply saddened by his passing.”
WaterWatch staff and board express our utmost sympathies and condolences to Bob’s family, friends, and colleagues.