Board of Directors

Dave Stokes, PhD. President.
Dave is an associate professor in Environmental Science at the University of Washington, Bothell. David received his PhD in Zoology from the University of Washington and is an expert in conservation planning, conservation biology, wildlife movement, invasive species and human preferences in conservation. Dave is an excellent teacher and is highly respected by his numerous conservation science and planning students. Dave ensures that Pacific Biodiversity Institute uses the best available science and conservation approaches in our projects.

Aileen Jeffries, Secretary.
Aileen has enjoyed a 40 year career as a research scientist. Her specialties included modeling and analysis of air dispersal of polluting materials, lab models for the Martian atmosphere from ultraviolet spectrometer data and thermal network analysis of energy systems. She has also taught at several colleges and universities. Her current interests focus on the acoustics, behavior and conservation of cetacean species. She has a Master’s degrees in physics and is currently exploring ways to use acoustic monitoring to help establish population baselines for marine mammals. She has been actively working to protect biodiversity through her career and lives on a farm in the Methow Valley.

Peter Morrison, Founding Director.
Peter has worked for over 30 years in conservation science. He has conducted ecological assessments, vegetation mapping, botanical surveys, landscape analysis and conservation planning. Peter has a Masters of Forest Ecology from the University of Washington and worked for Sierra Biodiversity Institute, the Wilderness Society, the US Forest Service, Oregon State University and the Sierra Club and as a consultant for government agencies and conservation organizations. Peter has received numerous awards for his conservation science work. His efforts have aided the protection of several million acres of critical habitat in the USA, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica and Chile.

Don Johnson, PhD. Board Member At Large.
Don is a fisheries biologist with a diverse career in academia and as a private consultant. He has conducted research on Pacific salmon species, abalone, and many other fish species. He has a strong interested in imperiled species, land management and conservation. Don received his PhD in Zoology from Arizona State University and was a NIH Research Fellow at Bodega Marine Lab. He was an Assistant Professor of Biology at Idaho State University and Director of their Center for Environmental Studies. He was Director of the Hancock Biological Station at Murray State University, KY and served as an administrator, fisheries scientist and Professor of Biology. He has been on the board of several non-profit organizations and the Okanogan County Public Utility District.

Vicky Welch. Board Member At Large.
Vicky is an organic farmer in the Methow Valley. She has represented agricultural interests and stewardship of the land for over 40 years. Her unflagging effort to protect farmland and wildlife habitat in the valley has resulted in protective zoning and more controlled development than could have been possible without her. She is on the board of several conservation organizations and is an active participant in sustainable practices, politics, and the arts. Vicky has a Masters in Asian Studies.