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Kym Buzdygon

Public Affairs Division Director

Kym Buzdygon joined the Council staff as lead Communications Specialist in February 2024. Prior to the Council, Kym held a variety of public sector and nonprofit roles for organizations including the New York City Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget, Washington County Solid Waste and Recycling, the Pasadena Audubon Society, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and SeattleWorks. Kym received an M.P.A from the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy and Governance and both a B.A. in Biology and a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Oberlin College.

kbuzdygon@nwcouncil.org

503-820-2319

Kym's recent news posts

Council briefing: Washington state & federal agencies discuss declining snowpack, fish survival, and future planning

Representatives from the WA Climate Office, WA Dept. of Ecology, the Orca Task Force, and the Northwest Fisheries Science Center/NOAA shared challenges and opportunities for their agencies at a time of severe drought, wildfires, and budget constraints.

Mid-Columbia Coho Restoration Program celebrates successes and reports on construction plans

Representatives of the Yakama Nation Fisheries program presented at the July Council meeting on the project's long-running history in the Fish and Wildlife Program and next steps for construction.

Director of CTUIR's Department of Natural Resources discusses First Foods framework

The Council listened to a presentation on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation’s First Foods management approach at its May meeting in Pendleton, Ore.

Experts emphasize importance of long-term ocean research, predict average returns for 2026 Columbia River Basin salmon and steelhead

At April’s meeting, the Council heard predictions for average ocean conditions and average run sizes for salmon and steelhead in 2026. Presenters included NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center, CRITFC, IDFG, and WDFW.

Panel presents on pinniped predation

Sea lion predation on salmon and steelhead in the Columbia River Basin remains a source of concern for regional fish and wildlife managers.

Long-running Columbia Basin Water Transaction Program keeps water in streams for fish but faces new challenges

With millions of acre-feet of water protected but transactions growing more complex and costly, program administrators discuss future options.

"Just gross"— Council hears updates on invasive species from regional coordinators

The threat of invasive species continues to loom large in the Columbia River Basin, with the potential to significantly disrupt ecosystems and infrastructure. Ahead of National Invasives Species Awareness Week (February 23-27), the Council heard from a panel of regional experts on existing and emerging species of concern.

IDFG points to possible factors in Hells Canyon white sturgeon population decline

Slow growth, invasive species, and passage concerns are likely contributing to the decline in abundance of white sturgeon between Hells Canyon and Lower Granite dams.

McKenzie River projects show promise for large-scale interventions

Representatives of the McKenzie River Trust and Eugene Water & Electric Board share updates on large-scale restoration projects happening on the McKenzie River and its tributaries.

Annual update on avian predation in the basin highlights emerging challenges

Researchers present annual update on avian predation in the basin, highlight crashing tern populations, upriver nesting of cormorants, and increasing American white pelican foraging as emerging issues.

Integrating energy and the environment in the Columbia River Basin

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