About Us

Who We Are

Mission

Dedicated to the stewardship and conservation of Trumpeter and Tundra swans and their habitats.

The Northwest Swan Conservation Association (NWSCA) is devoted to the preservation of native swan species—Trumpeter and Tundra—in Washington State and the broader northwest region. Established in 2015, NWSCA addresses the evolving challenges faced by swans in our area, focusing on both species as they share wintering grounds and habitats with similar conservation needs. Our efforts are tailored to the specific requirements of swans depending on their location relative to the Cascade Mountain range and the time of year.

Our mission is realized through comprehensive education, outreach, and hands-on conservation efforts. Operating across Washington State, we build and leverage local and regional partnerships to effectively address the challenges facing these majestic birds.

A collage of birds flying over a field.
A woman holding a baby bird in her arms.

Executive Director

Martha Jordan, Founder and Executive Director, brings extensive expertise to NWSCA. With a degree in wildlife science from Oregon State University, Martha's passion for swans began in the 1970s while working with collared snow geese in the Skagit Valley. Her contributions have been pivotal in documenting Trumpeter Swan populations, protecting key habitats, and reducing mortality from lead poisoning and powerline collisions. Martha also played a key role in developing the Washington State section of the Pacific Flyway Trumpeter Swan Management Plan.

In the 1980s, she established the Washington Swan Working Group, which later became the Washington Swan Stewards, affiliated with The Trumpeter Swan Society. Martha chaired this group until 2015, when she founded NWSCA. Her leadership and decades of experience drive the organization’s mission to ensure the welfare and vitality of Trumpeter and Tundra swans in the northwest region.

Board of Directors

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Paul Fischbach

President

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Daniel Poleschook

Vice President

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Ann Stickney

Treasurer

Swan Info

Visit our Swan Info page for detailed information on Tundra and Trumpeter swans, including downloadable identification brochures.

Learn More
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What We Do

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Habitat Conservation

We advocate for the scientific study of swans and their habitats, conduct winter swan surveys and support the conservation of agricultural lands and wetlands vital for swans and other waterfowl.

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Educational Programs

We offer educational initiatives for the public, schools, and organizations to raise awareness about swan conservation and their ecosystems.

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Get the Lead Out

We lead the “Get the Lead Out” campaign to address the lethal ingestion of lead shot by swans and other birds, working to eliminate this significant threat.

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Collaborations

We partner with local, state, and federal agencies, NGOs, landowners, and farmers to advance swan conservation efforts and foster community involvement.

A swan and her babies swimming in the water.

Foster to Freedom

(Note: This is a past initiative.) The Foster to Freedom Program involved raising captive-reared Trumpeter Swan cygnets to flight age for release into the wild. The program successfully contributed to the restoration of the Trumpeter Swan population in the Midwest, which is now thriving.