Remembering Bob Sallinger

News Article

We at Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) are mourning the loss of Bob Sallinger, who died unexpectedly last week after a lifetime of tireless environmental advocacy and unparalleled conservation efforts.

Bob was the longtime conservation director of the Bird Alliance of Oregon (formerly known as Portland Audubon) and had been executive director of both Willamette Riverkeeper and Bird Conservation Oregon at the time of his passing at age 57.

"With Bob Sallinger's passing I have lost a friend, colleague and the fiercest conservation warrior I've ever known," says Mike Houck, founder and director of the Urban Greenspaces Institute in Portland. "We worked side-by-side for decades on a multitude of urban conservation issues. When he wasn't protecting their habitat, he was nursing injured wildlife to be released back into those same habitats. Portland Parks & Recreation and the city's Bureau of Environmental Services have for decades benefited from Bob's scientific and legal expertise through innumerable advisory committees and on-the-ground management and restoration efforts. Portland's loss is incalculable."

"Bob was a stalwart champion of green spaces, wildlife and nature - all across Oregon, but especially here at home, in Portland," says PP&R Director Adena Long. "Our community, including its beloved parks and recreation system, is better for his strong, unwavering commitment. May his memory be a blessing."

The Oregonian's Gosia Wozniacka wrote a comprehensive look at Bob's legacy, which you can read on their website.

Below we offer more tributes from just a few of the many colleagues and advocates who knew and treasured Bob. Our condolences to his family, and special thanks to Mike Houck, another longtime parks advocate, friend of Bob, and conservation partner who provided us with the photos.

"Bob Sallinger was deeply knowledgeable, thoughtful, and passionate about protecting the natural world. The impact of his decades of conservation leadership spans across the region, from individual peregrine nests to massive infrastructure projects, to law and policy. Bob always showed up with both heart and reason, demanding accountability and transparency while working collaboratively with partners to achieve better conservation outcomes. His passing is a profound loss, but his legacy will live on in the communities and landscapes he fought so tirelessly to protect."

- Liv Brumfield, Renew Forest Park Coordinator, PP&R

"So many will feel the impact of Bob's passing. He was such an incredible force for wildlife and natural spaces in our city, region, and state. Bob was always generous with his time and expertise. He was equally willing to talk about the small decisions and big issues, with passion and professionalism. We are saddened by this loss personally and professionally; his leadership in the conservation community will be sorely missed."

- Rachel Felice, City Nature Manager, PP&R

"Bob was someone we could always count on to advocate for wild spaces. In his role as Conservation Director at the Bird Alliance, he was our closest neighbor to Forest Park. Whether asking him to weigh in on technical guidance for policies that would impact wildlife or leaning on his ability to speak up for natural resources, Bob was a tireless advocate and a friend to Portland Parks & Recreation."

- Kendra Petersen-Morgan, Eastside Lands Manager, ecologist and former supervisor for Forest Park, PP&R

"Bob was a leader in shaping Metro's Parks and Nature bond measures which brought millions of dollars to Portland for natural area acquisition and management and trail construction. He served on the new park board for many years. He was a key figure in securing the donation of land at Ross Island to the City. He led the fight to protect 1,400-acre Hayden Island and continued the fight to bring it into the region's system of parks, trails, and natural areas."

- Mike Houck, Founder and Director, Urban Greenspaces Institute; Board Member, Bird Conservation Oregon; Former Portland Parks Board Member