Braden Morris, SONEC Partner Biologist, Harney Soil & Water Conservation District

Braden Morris serves as a SONEC Partner Biologist with the Harney Soil and Water Conservation District, where his work focuses on collaborative habitat improvement across private lands. In his role, Morris works with landowners to enhance riparian areas and optimize habitat for water birds, primarily operating within the basin while covering projects throughout the county. 

Morris's path to this position began in his hometown of Potlatch, Idaho, where he spent most of his life before pursuing higher education. Following high school graduation, he moved to Casper, Wyoming, to earn an Associates Degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Management. Recognizing the need for further education, Morris returned to the University of Idaho, where he completed his Bachelor of Science in Fisheries Biology in 2024.

His field experience includes diverse hands-on work that shaped his expertise. During the summer of 2024, Morris worked as a creel technician with Idaho Fish and Wildlife out of Sun Valley, conducting research on the Big Wood River to assess catch efficiency for native redband trout. "I really enjoyed the water aspect of it, I've always been a water kid," he reflects on this experience. Earlier, during his junior year, he gained valuable experience in Alaska working on Northern Pike removal projects across three different lakes. Located 25 miles west of Skwentna on the Iditarod Trail, this work involved removing the invasive Pike species, which Morris describes as "very fun."

Morris began his current position in November 2024. "Stars aligned and I started November 2024," he says about the timing of this career move.

What drives Morris in his work is "the communication that I get to have with landowners about what they can do to improve their property while improving habitat." He sees particular value in creating opportunities where agricultural producers can maintain their livelihood while supporting fisheries and wildlife conservation. "You can have the opportunity to have a producer do all they can for their livelihood and for fisheries and wildlife to coexist in that realm," he explains.

Though new to collaborative conservation efforts, Morris appreciates the partnership approach and participating with the Harney Basin Wetlands Collaborative. He sees collaboration as essential for restoration work; these partnerships help connect projects and support landowners who may be interested in conservation but uncertain about implementation.