Oregon Conservationist Bob Sallinger Dies Suddenly at 57

The founder of Bird Conservation Oregon and a leading wildlife advocate, Bob Sallinger, has died suddenly at age 57. He leaves a wife and three children. No funeral details have been released.

Although the cause of death is unknown, some colleagues believe that his long hours at work and stress may have been contributing factors.

Governor Adds Her Condolences as Tributes Flood in for Bob Sallinger

Tributes by conservationists statewide have been flooding in since Sallinger’s unexpected death last Wednesday. He is mourned by conservationists who describe him as a hard-working driving force of conservation projects throughout Oregon.

The Governor of Oregon, Tina Kotek, has joined a long list of mourners throughout the state. She described Sallinger in a post on X as a ‘fierce advocate for a sustainable future, wildlife, and nature,’ adding that his commitment and energy will be missed.

Bird Conservation Oregon board member Kaitlin Lovell says no one, past or present, did more for environmental conservation across the state than Sallinger.

A Bird Alliance of Oregon Portland colleague, Mike Houck, said the conservationist always had 10 to 15 projects underway.

Sallinger Has Lived in Portland Since the 1980s

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Sallinger moved to Oregon in the 1980s to attend Reed, the liberal arts college in Portland, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in biology. Sallinger also obtained a law degree from Lewis and Clark Law School.

His love of conservation began in 1992 when he met Katy Weil at the Portland Audobon clinic that he visited with an injured falcon.

After a tour of the facility, Sallinger became a volunteer and was soon appointed assistant in charge of volunteers. His enthusiasm quadrupled the nonprofit’s volunteer ranks.

Sallinger became Portland Audobon’s Conservation Director after Weil left in 1996 and retired in 2022. In an internal email, Sallinger thanked the Audobon for 30 years of happy excitement and for allowing him the opportunity to care for injured bald eagles and fight ‘some of Oregon’s fiercest conservation battles.’