Audubon was saddened to learn of the recent passing of our colleague and friend, Shiloh Schulte, PhD, senior shorebird scientist with Manomet Conservation Sciences. Dr. Shulte died in a helicopter crash while conducting conservation work in Alaska on June 4, 2025.

Shiloh had a major impact on bird conservation both in Alaska and throughout North America. He worked on a variety of landbird, seabird, and shorebird projects, including as coordinator for the American Oystercatcher Recovery Program. Shiloh was responsible for working with diverse partner organizations, including Audubon, along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts to identify and foster research and management programs that are aiding in the recovery of American Oystercatchers and other beach-nesting birds.

"Shiloh’s extensive remote field work in Alaska started in 1997 on the Colville River when he was just 18 years old. Shiloh proved himself a skilled and resilient field ornithologist and outdoorsman when his team unexpectedly spent a night out on a barrier island after losing boat power and communications. His tenacious passion for the North American Arctic led him to many special places across Alaska and the Arctic including Middleton Island, Coats Island (Canada), Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve- Alaska including field camps on the Jago River, Colville River Special Area, Prudhoe Bay, and Teshekpuk Special Area. Shiloh’s passion and knowledge of shorebird ecology were matched perfectly with his capacity to share the stories of their inspiring migration journeys. Shiloh’s scientific studies of migratory shorebirds have meaningfully improved our understanding of the complex ecological and cultural connectivity that migratory shorebirds weave across the Western Hemisphere. As a friend, colleague, or mentor, Shiloh shared his tremendous gifts with everyone generously."

—River Gates, Shorebird Conservation Manager with Audubon Alaska and Audubon Americas

“Shiloh was a remarkable person in too many ways to count. As the chair, or grand poohbah as he was also called, of the American Oystercatcher Working Group Steering Committee, Shiloh provided enthusiastic leadership, an inimitable sense of humor, and an unparalleled depth of knowledge of the species. His passion, energy, and drive were infectious and helped to define the character of the Working Group, which is an incredibly open, friendly, and cooperative community. I think he really believed that everyone had something to contribute to oystercatcher conservation, and he welcomed new people and shared his knowledge and experience with anyone who wanted to get involved. His oystercatcher work spanned the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, leaving behind a population of banded oystercatchers still probing for shellfish, piping up a storm every spring, and raising the next crop of chicks. Shiloh was also a wonderful example of John Cleese’s observation that you don’t have to be solemn to be serious. He was super serious about shorebird research and conservation, but without fail, he had fun in doing it. If you worked with Shiloh, you were going to laugh out loud. One of his long-running oystercatcher projects was monitoring the U.S. population through winter survey flights that covered the coast from Texas to New Jersey, their entire winter range. As folks who worked with him share memories, multiple people have mentioned the experience of seeing his Cesna pass overhead as they ground-truthed his aerial counts. Many of us looked up for a wing waggle as the pilot guided the plane over our heads and snapped a photo or threw out a wave to the sky. So Shiloh literally as well as figuratively knit the oystercatchers and the people working with them together. The Working Group was very lucky to have his leadership for so long and he is profoundly missed.”

—Lindsay Addison, Coastal Biologist with Audubon North Caroline

“There are always those few people you meet in life who change you forever. Shiloh is one of those people for me and many of his colleagues. He was inspiring, a mentor, and a friend. Shiloh helped us start the first American Oystercatcher banding program in Connecticut, traveling down with his two daughters in tow to teach us how to trap and band oystercatchers. In addition to being an amazing field biologist, Shiloh was an avid runner. I've always loved the fact that he originally began running so he could catch oystercatcher chicks. His dedication was astounding. Shiloh’s contributions to the shorebird community and conservation are immeasurable. He has made lasting impacts on so many of our lives and careers. Those of us who knew him and had the opportunity to learn from him were truly lucky. This is a devastating loss for all of us and the birds he dedicated his life to. Shiloh will be greatly missed.” 

—Elizabeth Amendola (Senior Coordinator, Coasts, Audubon Connecticut)

In memory of Shiloh Schulte, Manomet created a dedicated online space where those who knew him can share messages, photos, and reflections—in any language they choose. Messages can be visible to others or kept private; just use the eye symbol while uploading your message to choose your preference. This memorial space is intended to honor Shiloh’s legacy and the deep connections he fostered across the shorebird conservation community. Contributions will be used to create a memory book for his family and to support future remembrance efforts.

The Schulte and Bateman Families have created a GoFundMe page to help support Shiloh’s family during this incredibly difficult time, with a special focus on securing a bright future for his daughters, including assistance with their education. It will also ensure that the spirit of Shiloh’s life’s work in bird conservation lives on by supporting efforts that reflect his passion for protecting the natural world.