Wendell Wood

–Wendell Wood (November 15, 1949 – August 11, 2015) was an American environmental activist and educator who co-founded Oregon Wild, a conservation organization headquartered in Portland.^[1][2][3] Wood campaigned for the protection of fish and other wildlife in the Klamath Basin, a region of Oregon and California drained by the Klamath River, during disputes over water use and the proposed construction of a ski resort in the area.^[1] He spearheaded efforts to gain protection for two native Klamath Basin fish species, the Lost River sucker and the shortnose sucker, under the Endangered Species Act.^[1][3] He also campaigned for the protection of the western snowy plover.^[1][3]

Wood declined an offer to work at his family's furniture factory in Los Angeles, California.^[1] Instead, Wood moved to Oregon in 1976 to teach to biology at a high school in Myrtle Creek.^[1][3] In 1981, Wood relocated to Eugene, to take a position with the Oregon Natural Resources Council, which changed its name to Oregon Wild in 2005.^[1][3] He worked pro bono for the organization for three years before receiving his first paycheck.^[1]

Wood published his book, A Walking Guide to Oregon's Ancient Forest, in 1991.^[3] The book began a political fight over the use of forests in the Pacific Northwest, which ultimately led to the adoption of the Northwest Forest Plan by the Clinton administration in 1994.^[3] The plan provided protection for the northern spotted owl, a species threatened by logging.^[3]

Wendell Wood suffered a heart attack while hiking in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in Humboldt County, California, on August 11, 2015.^[3] He died en route to the hospital at the age of 65.^[1] A resident of Crescent City, California, where he had moved to for retirement, he was survived by his wife, Kathy.^[1]

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