Growing Our Regional Team by Two

It’s been a very dynamic year for our region and our team is growing!

We are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to two fantastic individuals—Emily Martin and Kody Osborne—who are now the newest staff members of the Federation’s Northern Rockies, Prairies, and Pacific region. They have recently joined us as Directors of Conservation Partnerships, covering Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Hawai’i and Alaska. 

Meet Emily

Emily, who is based in Seattle, brings a wealth of knowledge to the Pacific region as she has spent the last decade as an organizer focused on getting young people involved in passing bold and equitable climate policy both at the federal and state levels in Oregon and Washington. 

“As the new Director of Conservation Partnerships for Alaska, Hawai’i, and California, I’m excited to support the amazing work our affiliates are doing on the ground as they fight to protect their remaining wild spaces,” Emily noted, adding that she loves to spend time immersing herself in the natural beauty of the outdoors through camping and birding. Birds have been a timely issue recently in Hawai’i. In October, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that of the 10 species to be delisted from the endangered species list–due to extinction–all but two were from Hawai’i. This puts Hawai’i at the epicenter of the country’s extinction crisis. 

“I was lucky to have the opportunity to support our affiliate, Conservation Council for Hawai’i, at the 2023 Festival of the Birds in Hilo, which was an incredible success, bringing together more than 700 people! After going virtual for two years, it was a spectacular celebration of wildlife and Hawai’ian traditions. The event was open to everyone, bird experts and bird curious, young and old to come together in person and to strengthen our commitment to ensuring that Hawai’i’s native and endemic bird populations thrive for generations to come.”

This fall and winter, Emily is planning on visiting both our Alaska and California affiliates. “I want to get a better understanding of the incredible work they’re doing so I can provide the support they need.” Emily’s dedication to understanding our partner’s work and providing essential support exemplifies the National Wildlife Federation’s spirit of cooperation with affiliates and partners.

Meet Kody

Kody, born and raised in the Northwest, brings an unparalleled passion for wildlife conservation, education, and climate advocacy in the region. As the new Director of Conservation Partnerships for Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, Kody is engaged on a number of fronts for wildlife recovery.

“With the looming threat of extinction of storied salmon and steelhead runs in the Columbia River Basin, I’m leaning in to the leadership of our affiliates and partners and following the lead of NW Tribes, to right historic wrongs. Working together, we can conserve the future for the region’s iconic species—orca, grizzlies, and more—for future generations”

Kody is based in Portland, Oregon, where he enjoys spending time in the beautiful natural settings of the Pacific Northwest and in a supportive community of action-oriented conservationists. Over the past few months, Kody has spent the majority of his time diving into the salmon recovery effort in the Columbia River Basin, which will require the removal of four dams on the Lower Snake River.

“Since I’ve joined the Federation, I’ve worked with affiliates, partners, Tribal leaders and subject-matter experts in Seattle, Boise, Portland, and they have generously shared their decades of experience, insight and expertise. It’s a great honor to be engaged in this campaign and I’m excited to be a key part of building momentum toward a viable and long-lasting solution.”

Kody’s vision for conservation success is founded in a commitment to amplify the voices of our Indigenous partners, upholding treaty rights, and habitat restoration for native species. “I see a clear path toward a shared goal working with and elevating the voices of our Tribal Partners.”

In early November, Kody attended the RUN in Unity gathering, an urgent convening of Northwest Tribes to address the cumulative negative impacts of the lower Snake River dams and how they contribute to salmon extinction. 

“While the dams provide valuable services, the balance is lost. Salmon need clean, free-flowing rivers. The services from these dams can be replaced, but our salmon can’t. Tribes have long fought to retain our culture and traditions. It’s crucial now, more than ever, to ensure our treaties with the United States are honored,” said Nez Perce Tribe Chairman Shannon Wheeler. 

In welcoming both Emily and Kody to the National Wildlife Federation team, we are excited to embrace both their expertise and dedication to the Federation’s mission.