Introduction:

“My name is Colin Reynolds, and I’m the Senior Advisor to the Northwest Program. I joined Defenders in January, and I live in Portland, Oregon.

As Senior Advisor, I lead our Northwest Program and have the pleasure of working alongside our wonderful colleagues who do such amazing work every day. I also work on various issues, including advocating for policies and funding to improve statewide habitat connectivity and advocating for pro-wildlife state management in Oregon and Washington"

 

How did you get your start in conservation?

“I consider myself a lifelong environmentalist, but while in law school, I was fortunate to have the time to research and write an article examining the legal tools available to protect an antelope migration in Wyoming. That experience was a labor of love, and it led me to work at an NGO advocating for the ability of wildlife to safely move across our landscapes.”

 

What would you say to someone looking to volunteer or pursue a conservation career?

“My advice is pretty simple: I would recommend finding an issue you are passionate about and pursuing it with enthusiasm. There is no shortage of important issues needing the time and attention of advocates – and we need passionate people like you working alongside us – so find the one that speaks to you and don’t look back.”

 

Which animal do you wish people understood better?

“I wish people better understood the harmful effects of cars and wildlife vehicle collisions (WVC) to wildlife, and that these effects can come in a number of ways. For example, researchers estimate one million vertebrates are struck and killed by vehicles in the U.S, and traffic and noise from cars on roadways deters and disrupts animals attempting to move across roads. This issue fragments the landscape and is a significant danger for both wildlife and humans alike.

Fortunately, properly sited wildlife crossings with associated fencing can basically solve this problem. As we have seen in many locations, these crossings can reduce instances of WVC by more than 90% and result in the successful passage of wildlife big and small. The cost savings from accident avoidance also mean the crossing pays for itself over a relatively short period of time. Overall, it’s an obvious win for wildlife and drivers and a solution we hope to see across Oregon and Washington in the coming years.”

 

Learn more about the Northwest Program and the animals and places we protect by visiting our Northwest page!

Click here to learn more about Colin and his work at Defenders!

Click here to see our last Meet Defenders profile!