Oregon Man To Lead State Fish, Wildlife

Bernard Shanks, a Portland resident with a lengthy resume of natural resources related jobs, has been named Washington’s new director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission, meeting Saturday, ranked Shanks ahead three other finalists for the $93,659-a-year post. He begins the job July 1, but is expected to start working with the commission and staff in mid-June to ensure a smooth transition.

Shanks, who has a degree in biology and a Ph.D. in natural resources development, has served the past year as environmental chief for the Metro Regional Government in Portland. He previously was the director of the Office of Environment, Health and Safety for the University of California, Davis, and director of the Center for California Studies in Sacramento. In the mid-1980s, he was environmental adviser to then-Gov. Bruce Babbitt of Arizona.

Shanks also worked for five years in six national parks as a ranger for land, wildlife and resource management; five seasons for the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management as a smokejumper in nearly 100 forest fires; and served in the 1st Tank Company for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

He is a fisherman, hunter and outdoor survival expert.

“Bernard Shanks brings an extensive background in natural resource management to the agency,” said commission chair Mitch Johnson, “but also has hands-on experience in the field as a wildlife enforcement officer and park ranger.”

“I have broad experience with organizations in a state of transition, and have successfully managed change by listening, providing core values and clearly communicating my expectations,” Shanks said. “I am committed to bringing people in Washington together to solve problems for fish and wildlife.”

He said the most important priorities for the agency are solving conservation problems, particularly dwindling salmon runs; making the department more efficient and customer-oriented; and securing a diverse, long-term funding base.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission began its search for a new director in January, soon after voters approved an initiative restoring its power to choose the department’s director. That power was taken away in 1993 by legislative action that also merged the state’s fisheries and wildlife departments early in the administration of Gov. Mike Lowry.

Shanks will replace Bob Turner, who was appointed by Lowry.