Matt Poole
I am a 22-year-old wildlife biologist and photographer with a primary focus on owls, a species I’ve grown deeply passionate about over the years. Most of my work is based in Oregon, though my love for travel often takes me far beyond it.
My Wildlife Photography Journey
It all started when I was 11 years old, and my parents told me we were taking a trip to Yellowstone National Park the following summer. My excitement was immeasurable, and that Christmas, I asked for a camera. I was gifted one, but I really didn’t use it until that trip to Yellowstone, where I found my love for wildlife photography. I continued to grow my passion through the years and improved my art as the seasons passed. I have shot and been published by National Geographic & Disney. Today, I am still learning and mastering my craft. I love to find ways to be creative and unique, to stand out from the crowd.
My Wildlife Conservation and Biology Journey
In 2020, I was 17 years old with no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I was on a trip in Northeastern Oregon when I learned of a Burrowing Owl conservation project near Hermiston, Oregon. It instantly caught my eye, and I sent an email asking to volunteer that day. Within 24 hours, my question was met with a YES! On my first day of volunteering, I was able to hold a baby burrowing owl. That moment sparked my craziness and love for owls. At the end of my volunteering time, the director of the project invited me to come back the following year as a paid intern, and of course, I said yes.
Since then, I have led multiple seasons of the BUOW study and have helped on other studies involving different species. I am currently an undergraduate studying Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Sciences at Oregon State University. Each year, I feel that I grow so much as a student, biologist, and person.
