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Dear Friends of Willamette Riverkeeper,
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Willamette Riverkeeper, I am delighted to announce that we have hired Bob Sallinger to serve as Willamette Riverkeeper's next Executive Director and Riverkeeper and Michelle Emmons to serve as our Deputy Director. Bob and Michelle bring a tremendous amount of Conservation Leadership and accomplishment along with decades of experience specifically working to protect and restore the Willamette River.
Bob has worked for more than three decades on conservation issues across Oregon, from its most remote wilderness areas to its urban landscapes. He served for 30 years as Conservation Director for Bird Alliance of Oregon (formerly Portland Audubon) and the last year and a half working for Willamette Riverkeeper as our Conservation Director. Bob brings a strong, multifaceted background in non-profit management, conservation law and policy, advocacy, science and grassroots activism. He serves on a variety of boards and has a law degree from Lewis and Clark Law School. You can read more about Bob HERE.
Michelle has worked for Willamette Riverkeeper for more than a decade, serving previously as our Upper Willamette Watershed Manager. Michelle brings a wide range of conservation and outdoor recreation leadership experience to her new position, including founding the Oakridge Trails Alliance in the Willamette headwaters. She brings a deep passion for engaging communities in watershed stewardship. Read more about Michelle HERE.
They are part of a strong team that also includes our Restoration Manager, Vanessa Youngblood, Staff Attorney, Lindsey Hutchison, and Legislative Advisors, Greg and Rachel Leo.
We also want to express our appreciation to outgoing Executive Director. Travis Williams, and outgoing Board President, James Tiefenthaler. Their combined decades of dedication have helped build Willamette Riverkeeper into a powerful voice for the Willamette River. I am honored to be taking over the role of Board Chair from James.
As always, our North Star remains protecting and restoring a healthy Willamette River for people and wildlife. We have tremendous opportunities ahead. Our top priorities will include enforcing the Clean Water Act and holding polluters accountable, advancing protection and restoration of fish and wildlife habitat across the the Willamette River ecosystem's forested, agricultural and urban landscapes, and engaging communities with the Willamette River through river cleanup and restoration programs. field trips and events.
Our greatest strength is you, the amazing community of river advocates that has grown over our 27-year history. In the coming months, we will provide a variety of opportunities for you to help us chart the next phase of our work. We will also need your support more than ever--please stay involved and consider a donation to help us movie into our new era. PLEASE DONATE HERE.
I am very excited about our new leadership team and the important work that lies ahead. Please join me in welcoming Bob and Michelle to their new leadership roles.
Thank you for being part of Willamette Riverkeeper!
Cathy Tortorici
Board President
Willamette Riverkeeper
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