History

History of our SocietyThe Society for Northwestern Vertebrate Biology, the oldest scientific association devoted to the study of terrestrial vertebrates in the Pacific Northwest, was founded in 1920 as the Pacific Northwest Bird and Mammal Society. Long recognized as the preeminent union of ornithologists and mammalogists in the Pacific Northwest, the society adopted its current name in 1988 to reflect an expanded taxonomic scope that included amphibians and reptiles.

The scope expanded again in 1999 to include fish. Today the society strives to promote close working relationships among ornithologists, mammalogists, herpetologists, and ichthyologists in our region; foster exchange of scientific information and interest in the study of vertebrates; and offer a forum for these activities through meetings and publications.