PORTLAND, Oregon -- Hugh Morrison has been selected to serve as Regional Director of the Pacific Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Morrison, who has been the acting regional director since May 2022, will begin effective immediately. In this role, Morrison will administer conservation efforts spanning one ocean, four states and multiple territories and time zones.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the dedicated employees of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Tribes and partners, as we work to conserve natural resources and wildlife from Guam to the Great Basin,” said Morrison. “We have a tremendous diversity of species and ecosystems in the Pacific Region, and we will continue to work together to conserve the wildlife and places that so many people enjoy and rely upon.”
In addition to Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, the region includes the territories of American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands, and the islands and waters located within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Rose Atoll Marine National Monument, and the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument.
Morrison has more than 20 years of experience working for the Service in various roles since beginning his career as a Presidential Management Fellow in 1997. He most recently served as deputy regional director in the Pacific Region. Prior to starting that job in 2020, Morrison worked in headquarters and with multiple other regions within the Service. During a hiatus from the Service from 2016 to 2019, Morrison worked for a nonprofit coalition comprised of members from the outdoor recreation industry, recreation nonprofits and conservation groups focused on conservation and inclusive outdoor recreation. He was also a regular volunteer and consultant for the Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts.
“Throughout his career, Hugh has been a leader and proponent of collaborative conservation and consensus building across the Service’s programs and regions, as well as with our partners,” said Martha Williams, Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “He is also passionate about employee well-being and development and finding novel ways to deliver the Service’s conservation mission.”
In his capacity as Regional Director, Morrison will oversee the day-to-day operations and strategic direction of the Service in the Pacific Region, including collaboration with Tribes and state agencies, building partnerships with conservation partners, and providing executive direction to the region’s leadership team. He is also a recognized leader in the agency’s efforts to promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility in the workplace.
Morrison is originally from Eugene, Oregon. He earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and environmental studies, as well as a master’s degree in public administration, environment and natural resource management, from the University of Washington.
