Interested in becoming involved with the ORTWS Board? We encourage your engagement - consider joining us for a committee meeting!
Information regarding recurring committee meetings and options to join listed under committee descriptions:
Communications and Membership Committees
To reflect the shifting nature of information exchange, the Communications Committee develops outreach strategies to get information to our members and the public. Current projects include our social media accounts and this website. Please join this committee if you are interested in developing social media content and communicating with members about topical wildlife issues.
Current Board Member Lead: Mikayla Bivona
Communications Committee Monthly Meeting: 3rd Wednesday of every month 3:30 - 4:00pm PT
- Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/pft-hrhd-jxv
Or dial: (US) +1 865-401-0254 PIN: 470 275 723#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/pft-hrhd-jxv?pin=9166954155785
Conservation Affairs Committee
The Conservation Affairs Committee reviews regulations, environmental assessments, and proposals from state and federal governments concerning Oregon’s wildlife and habitats. It recommends actions to the executive board, often through written or oral comments. An important piece of the Conservation Affairs Committee is our Legislative Affairs Subcommittee that focuses on identifying priority issues in upcoming legislative sessions and developing appropriate responses to proposed bills by testifying and/or providing comment letters to government agencies and legislative officials.
Our goal is to provide unbiased, science-based input to policy makers and government officials. This work is key to ORTWS' efforts to influence wildlife management and conservation in Oregon. Committee members with biological expertise are actively addressing various legislative bills, management plans, and listing proposals that will directly impact wildlife throughout Oregon.
Current Board Member Lead: Trent Gianella
Conservation Affairs Committee Meeting: 2nd Tuesday of every month 9:30-10:00am PT
- Join meeting on Teams by clicking HERE
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee was established to provide a venue for conversations about integrating diversity, equity and inclusion principles into the inner workings of ORTWS. We aim to provide informational resources and opportunities for growth among our membership, as well as making ORTWS more inclusive for all members of the wildlife profession.
Current Board Member Lead: Jamie Bowles
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Monthly Meeting: 2nd Thursday of every month 1:00-2:00pm PT
- Join meeting on Teams by clicking HERE
Student & Early Career Professional Affairs Committee
The Student Affairs Committee supports wildlife students and early career professionals by connecting them with Chapter activities and highlighting the lifelong value of active membership in The Wildlife Society. Outreach extends to all colleges and universities within the Oregon Chapter—regardless of student chapter affiliation or accreditation—to foster engagement in the natural resources field.
Key initiatives include the Mentorship Program, student and ECP event planning at the Annual Conference, and ongoing collaboration with the Workshops Committee to offer training and resume-building opportunities. Our 2025 Memorial Day weekend field skills workshop was a standout success!
Current Board Member Lead: Eliana Pool
Student & ECP Affairs Committee Monthly Meeting: 3rd Wednesday of every month 12:00-12:30pm PT
- Join meeting on Teams by clicking HERE
Workshops & Field Trips Committee
ORTWS provides seminars, workshops, field trips, and other training events to serve the continuing education needs of our members. This committee develops and organizes events that further the skills of wildlife professionals in the state of Oregon. Consider joining this committee if you have fresh ideas or would like to help organize workshops for the annual conference and throughout the year.
Current Board Member Lead: Emily Weidner
Workshops & Field Trips Committee Monthly Meeting: 3rd Thursday of every month 3:00-3:30pm PT
- Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/zaz-nrja-eun
Or dial: (US) +1 520-815-1427 PIN: 911 477 887#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/zaz-nrja-eun?pin=2728081571742
Annual Conference Committtee
The Annual Conference is the largest event our board plans each year, and takes dedicated time and energy. We are always looking for members willing to pitch-in and bring new ideas to the table! Have a suggestion for something you'd like to see change from a previous conference? Get involved to help make that change happen! Interested in joining this committee? Contact ortws@ortws.org
Audit Committee
We conduct an internal audit of our financial records each year, to ensure the chapter is being financially responsible and help support our treasurer. We are always looking for representatives with financial expertise to join this committee. Interested in joining this committee? Contact ortws@ortws.org
Awards Committee
Grants Committee
This committee meets a couple of times a year to solicit and review grant proposals. Interested in joining this committee? Contact ortws@ortws.org
Scholarships Committee
This committee is steered by the Student and ECP Affairs Committee. The committee regularly updates the scholarship process, provides scholarship solicitation materials and reviews scholarship applications. Interested in joining this committee? Contact ortws@ortws.org
Nominations & Elections Committee
This committee meets a couple of times a year to solicit nominations for elections and ensure the voting process runs smoothly. Interested in joining this committee? Contact ortws@ortws.org
