Remembering Bob Sallinger, Class of 2007

Bob Sallinger, who sadly passed away in October, was for decades one of the most tireless and effective advocates for conservation in both the Portland area and across the state of Oregon. He would testify at agency hearings, participate in committee meetings, do media interviews, and rescue an injured bird – often all in the same day. He was equally comfortable dangling from highway bridges to band young peregrine falcons as he was lobbying Oregon legislators – whom he invariably knew on a first-name basis. Bob’s efforts saved natural areas and species across the state.

Bob honed his amazing conservation advocacy skills in part by completing his JD degree at Lewis and Clark at night, fitting classes between the obligations of his “day job” at one of the state’s leading conservation organizations (where he also ran the wildlife rehab center). While at the law school, Bob worked with Earthrise, a relationship that continued for years after his graduation when Bob’s enlisted the clinic’s legal assistance in his efforts to protect birds and habitat.

In addition to his dogged work to protect Oregon’s natural areas, Bob was also a captivating environmental educator. For several years he co-taught (with Prof. Rohlf) a law school field-based class on urban biodiversity; he enthralled students with his encyclopedic knowledge of urban wildlife and habitat, as well by describing his creative ways to protect these invaluable resources. Bob also gave many guest lectures at the law school. Away from academia, he taught thousands more people about conservation through Audubon Nature Nights, presentations at conferences across the country, and his innumerable media appearances – always with a message of ways we can protect nature.

Bob Sallinger made Oregon a better place, and was an alum the law school is proud to call its own.