Donald M. Kerr

Donald M. Kerr (1946 – February 4, 2015) was an American wildlife biologist and conservationist. He founded the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon. Kerr led the museum for sixteen years, helping it develop and expand to become one of Central Oregon's most popular tourist attractions. The museum’s Birds of Prey Center and a high desert conservation award are named in his honor.

Early life

Kerr was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1946. He was a third generation Oregonian. At the age of 12, he became interested in falconry when a teacher brought a live falcon to class. That experience sparked a broader interest in wildlife and nature in general. In high school, Kerr raised a wolf cub as a biology project. He attended Oregon State University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in biology and a minor in journalism in 1969.

After graduating from Oregon State University, Kerr went to work at Portland’s Washington Park Zoo (now called the Oregon Zoo). He later took a job with the Nature Conservancy as a wildlife biologist. In the late 1970s, Kerr moved to Central Oregon with the idea of creating a museum with living animals exhibited in their natural environments.

In the early 1990s, Kerr served on the board of directors for the Mid-Oregon Indian Historical Society as well as Oregon’s State Parks and Recreation Commission. In 1999, Oregon State University honored Kerr with the university’s Distinguished Service Award for his vision and leadership in establishing the High Desert Museum. Today, the Donald M. Kerr Birds of Prey Center houses the museum’s living collection of owls, falcons, hawks, eagles, and vultures as well as a number of environmental exhibits. The center also has a large classroom used for lectures and indoor wildlife demonstrations.

At the time of Kerr's death, the High Desert Museum was a facility with approximately of walking trails connecting the main museum with the birds of prey center and various outdoor exhibits. As of 2015, the museum attracted over 160,000 visitors each year, making it one of the most popular visitor destinations in central Oregon.

The High Desert Museum also presents the annual Donald M. Kerr Award. The award recognizes individuals whose volunteer activities have had a significant positive impact on the high desert environment and its resources. The award includes a $5,000 honorarium funded by the Earle A. Chiles Foundation.