Kerry Farris
ORTWS Board Member (2026 – 2028)
Biographical Sketch: I am a faculty instructor in the Natural Sciences Department at the Oregon Institute of Technology, where I teach a range of ecology and data analysis courses. My career has been defined by a commitment to collaborative research that bridges government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and academia to examine the impacts of land management on wildlife.
I hold both a B.S. and an M.S. in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Idaho. My early research on the ecological relationship between woodpeckers and ponderosa pine decomposition laid the foundation for my subsequent work as an associate conservation scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). In that role, I led multiagency projects investigating the effects of prescribed fire and silvicultural
treatments on avian and mammal communities. At Oregon Tech, I integrate this applied experience into my teaching, research, and mentorship of students. Our campus recently joined The Wildlife Society as a student chapter, and I am excited to serve on the board, where I hope to strengthen connections between student chapters and the professional community.