Thirty of Forty in the 49th: Memories of a Wildlife Biologist in Alaska Tapa blanda -

Robin West grew up in Grants Pass, Oregon where he discovered his love for nature. He studied biology and fish and wildlife management at Eastern Oregon State, Oregon State University, and the University of Alaska - Fairbanks. Robin spent 35 years working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 30 years of which was in Alaska where he worked as a biologist and refuge manager. He served as a contaminants biologist in Northern Alaska, as the Assistant Project Leader for the Fairbanks Fisheries Assistance Office, and as Assistant Manager for Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge. He was an honor graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, served as Refuge Manager of Izembek National Wildlife Refuge, and as the Migratory Bird Program Coordinator for Alaska Region before becoming the Project Leader of Kenai National Wildlife Refuge where he served 14 years. Robin was stationed in Portland, Oregon for his last five years where he served as a Refuge Supervisor and as the Regional Chief for the National Wildlife Refuge System for the Pacific Region. Robin, and his wife Shannon, retired near Rogue River, Oregon and continue to be active in conservation endeavors. They travel frequently throughout the world in search of unique wildlife and wild places and return to Alaska often where their three adult children continue to live.