Oregon Advocates Won Conservation Award

Danielle Moser and Sristi Kamal were honored for their successful work on state wildlife protection legislation.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Bird Watching

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Bird Conservation Oregon recently awarded the Bob Sallinger Conservation Advocacy Award to Danielle Moser and Sristi Kamal. The pair earned the recognition for leading the legislative push for a new state law dedicated to wildlife funding.

Why it matters

The award honors the successful advocacy for House Bill 4134, which generated a new revenue stream for Oregon wildlife protection efforts despite intense industry opposition.

House Bill 4134 increased the state hotel and short-term lodging tax from 1.5% to 2.75%. The law mandates that all proceeds from this tax hike are specifically directed toward wildlife protection initiatives.

The players

Danielle Moser

She serves as the director of state programs at Oregon Wild.

Sristi Kamal

She is the deputy director of the Western Environmental Law Center.

Bob Sallinger

A conservationist who died in 2024 at age 57.

Bird Conservation Oregon

This organization established the annual conservation advocacy award to honor local activists.

The details

Danielle Moser, director of state programs at Oregon Wild, and Sristi Kamal, deputy director of the Western Environmental Law Center, spearheaded the legislative efforts for the bill. They successfully navigated the process despite opposition from business groups and hoteliers.

Bob Sallinger died in 2024.
House Bill 4134 became law on June 5, 2026.
Moser and Kamal received the award on October 3, 2026.

Roadmap

The passage of House Bill 4134 marks a shift in how the state funds environmental initiatives compared to previous reliance on general fund allocations. This legislative win signals a growing trend of utilizing specific industry-based taxes to secure long-term wildlife protection funding.

Visitors to the state will encounter the increased 2.75% tax rate on short-term lodging during their travels. These funds are earmarked specifically to support state-wide wildlife protection projects.

The takeaway

The award highlights how persistent legislative advocacy can successfully overcome opposition from established business interests. It serves as a reminder that state-level policy changes regarding taxation can have immediate and direct impacts on environmental conservation budgets.