Favorite Place in the Northwest:Riddle Peak in the Glacier Peak Wilderness
Favorite Northwest Animal:Mule Deer
Jay Kehne leads our Sagelands Heritage Program, including the Safe Passage 97 project, Okanogan Working for Wildlife Initiative and representation within the Arid Lands Initiative. He also manages our work on shrub-steppe wildlife including pygmy rabbits, sage grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep. From 2011 through 2018 he led our Range Rider Pilot Project.
Jay was also recently honored with the 2021 Conservation Leadership Award from the National Wildlife Federation!
Jay Kehne joined Conservation Northwest in 2010 after a 31-year career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Jay hopes to put his experience working with ranchers and farmers, combined with his love of Washington’s shrub-steppe habitat, to work helping to connect and protect important habitats for a variety of species in the arid lands of our state. Jay also served two terms as a Washington Fish & Wildlife Commissioner, and lives with his wonderful wife in Omak, overlooking the Okanogan River. He enjoys elk and deer hunting with life-long friends, traveling, fishing, skiing, back-packing, and spending time with his five children and six grandchildren.