Max Malmquist

Saline Lakes Engagement Manager
About

Max Malmquist is the Engagement Manager for National Audubon Society’s Saline Lakes Program, where he focuses on protecting saline lakes and their associated wetlands for future generations of birds and people.  Since 2018, his work has involved building relationships with state and federal agency partners as well as Audubon’s chapter network, guiding lawmakers on educational trips to Great Salt Lake and its wetlands, helping collect robust data to inform policy and management decisions, and more.

He is also part of the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust team, where he aids in voluntary water transactions for Great Salt Lake in the Jordan River, Utah Lake, and Provo River Watershed. Max is a voting member of the Utah Birds Records Committee, lead coordinator for the Intermountain West Shorebird Surveys, regional editor for the State of Utah’s Christmas Bird Count Circles, and voluntary committee member for the Great Salt Lake Bird Festival. An avid birder and wildlife photographer, Max enjoys sharing his passion for birds and conservation with others
 

Articles by Max Malmquist

A phalarope floats on water in the background more similar birds.
Birders and Scientists Unite for a Celebration of Saline Lakes Across the Hemisphere
August 25, 2025 — Mono Basin Bird Chautauqua sheds light on the state of saline lakes and partners' conservation efforts
Western Water News
A Day in the Field with Intermountain West Shorebird Surveyors
November 19, 2024 — What it looks like to have boots on the ground for one of the most important surveys.
Western Water News
Great Salt Lake Partners “Band Together” to Monitor American White Pelicans
August 02, 2024 — After 5-year hiatus, State of Utah Coordinates Gunnison Island Nesting Colony Tagging
Western Water News
A group of phalaropes swim in a lake with out of focus mountains in the distance.
Wilson’s Phalaropes and their Journey from Canada to Argentina
September 25, 2023 — Key stopovers at Great Salt Lake and Mono Lake allow for 10000 mile migrations.
Western Water News
Birds of Great Salt Lake’s South Arm Ecosystem Threatened
November 04, 2022 — As Gilbert Bay’s water level declines and salinity levels rise, what birds are at risk?
Western Water News
Regional Shorebird Surveys Provide a Look at Changing Habitat Around the West
October 27, 2022 — On-the-ground assessments of how drought is impacting birds in the Great Basin.
Western Water News
Collaborative Efforts Elevate Shorebirds During Spring Migration in Lahontan Valley
June 28, 2022 — A conversation about the future of Nevada’s shorebirds.
Western Water News
Fall Update: Partners Work Together to Monitor Shorebirds and Their Habitat in the Lahontan Wetlands
November 19, 2021 — National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant allows for more bird surveys in Nevada.
Western Water News
White-faced Ibis. Warren-Martin Hern/Audubon Photography Awards
Land Transfer Secures Nevada Bird and Wildlife Habitat
April 29, 2021 — Long-awaited Transfer of Carson Lake and Pasture to the State of Nevada Gives Birds a Boost
Western Water News
A Snowy Plover stands in front of water with a blurry brown foreground.
Utah’s Migratory Bird Production Areas Receive a Boost
March 16, 2021 — New bill increases protections for Great Salt Lake bird habitat.
ROCKIES Policy & Advocacy