Conservation Powerhouse Bob Sallinger Has Died

Bird Alliance of Oregon is deeply saddened to share the unexpected passing of Bob Sallinger. Many of you know Bob from his 30 years at Bird Alliance of Oregon, starting from his early days as a dedicated rehab assistant at the Wildlife Care Center, and ending his tenure as one of the most effective and dogged conservation directors in the organization’s history. After leaving Bird Alliance in 2022, Bob went on to found the organization Bird Conservation Oregon, and to serve as the executive director of Willamette Riverkeeper.

The news has come as a shock to many in the community who loved Bob, and who witnessed his immense intellect, spirit, and passion that led him to achieve so many successes. Every Oregonian benefits from Bob’s vast catalog of work, from his efforts to protect our old-growth forest to his work to reduce wildlife hazards across the state, to cleaning up the Willamette River, to working to recover imperiled species. Some of our most impactful campaigns are because of Bob, like Lights Out, Bird-safe Buildings, Cats Safe at Home, and the Backyard Habitat Certification Program.

If you’ve seen a Peregrine Falcon fly over a Portland bridge, birded at Malheur or Klamath, enjoyed a hike in one of our region’s parks, or just breathed cleaner air, you have Bob to thank. The environmental movement has lost a giant. He will be deeply missed. And while Bob was a larger-than-life figure to many, to his family he was a loving husband and father. We send our deepest condolences to Bob’s family, and those closest to him.

By Joe Liebezeit , Assistant Director of Statewide Conservation, Bird Alliance of Oregon