Ryan Baumbusch
ORTWS Treasurer (2023 – 2025)
Current position: Wildlife Biologist, Oregon State University
Biographical Sketch: I am a wildlife biologist and post-doctoral researcher working through the US Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Research Station in Olympia, WA and the US Geological Survey’s Oregon Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences at Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR (where I am based). My current research focus is analyzing decades worth of data from marbled murrelet audio-visual surveys, largely associated with clearance for timber harvests, with the aim of increasing our understanding of the population trends and distribution of this enigmatic seabird to help inform its conservation and management.
Much of my past experience in the field of wildlife biology has centered around northern spotted owls and the conservations challenges posed by the arrival and expansion of the barred owl throughout the northern spotted owl’s range.
Prior to my career in wildlife biology, I served for 6 years in the US Navy, where I was a mechanic on nuclear reactors abroad an aircraft carrier. Although I was born in southern California, my father was in the US Army, and I spent most of my childhood moving between the northeast US and Europe.
In my free time I enjoy cycling (both on road and trail), fishing (mostly by fly), native plant gardening, and spending time with my family and dogs. I also volunteer to with a dog rescue focused on Boxers.
The Wildlife Society has provided me with so much throughout my career. Getting involved, even from an early stage by attending my local chapter’s mentor sessions and mixers as an undergrad, has been one of the best things I’ve done for my career in wildlife biology (aside from attending Humboldt State for my degree in Wildlife, Go Jacks!). It is an honor to serve the society and create opportunities for diverse students and professionals to find their place in the field of wildlife biology and help shape its future.