David Harold Johnson, a prominent owl researcher and conservationist, died on June 15 at the age of 69 after a battle with Stage 4 colon cancer. Known affectionately as “DJ” among colleagues and friends, Johnson dedicated his life to the study and protection of owls, becoming a leading figure in the global effort to understand and safeguard these birds and their habitats.
Born on September 10, 1956, in Mankato, Minnesota, Johnson’s fascination with owls began at age 11 during a camping trip near the Blue Earth River, when an Eastern screech owl landed on his tent. This experience shaped his lifelong passion and scientific career. Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Bemidji State University and a master’s in wildlife science from Oregon State University. Early in his career, he worked as the spotted owl coordinator for Oregon, a role that placed him at the center of efforts to protect the species in the Pacific Northwest from threats posed by logging.
Johnson’s most notable conservation work involved burrowing owls, particularly at the now-closed Umatilla Army Depot in northern Oregon. The depot, once a storage site for chemical weapons, became an accidental wildlife refuge until the military’s efforts to control predators disrupted the ecosystem. The resulting decline in badger populations led to a shortage of natural burrows, critical for the owls’ nesting. Beginning in 2007, Johnson led a rescue initiative that involved constructing 96 artificial burrows using barrels and PVC tubing. The project helped increase nesting pairs from just a few to 65 by 2021, establishing a vital safe haven for the species.
Johnson was also an innovator in research methods, banding owls and fitting some with ultralight geolocator backpacks to monitor migration patterns over several generations—a feat praised by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials for providing unique long-term data. Before stepping back from this work due to declining health, Johnson handed the project to local groups, including the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, ensuring continuity.
Beyond his fieldwork, Johnson was widely recognized for fostering collaboration among owl researchers worldwide. He founded the Global Owl Project, which connects over 450 scientists across 65 countries, and actively mentored peers through conferences and direct communication. Known for his warmth and enthusiasm, he encouraged research and conservation initiatives on a range of owl species and helped establish the World Owl Hall of Fame awards.
Despite his cancer diagnosis in 2022, Johnson remained active in the scientific community, preparing a book on owls’ roles in global culture and mythology and undertaking fieldwork as recently as December 2024 in Aruba. His wife, Shari Schaftlein, recalled his indefatigable spirit and dedication rooted in a philosophy born from a life-changing experience on the Amazon’s Rio Napo, where he embraced the urgency of living fully.
Johnson’s legacy is marked by his extensive contributions to owl conservation, research, and community building. Survivors include his mother, Ann (Schweim) Johnson, and his wife. Colleagues remember him not only for his scientific achievements but for his unwavering commitment to the creatures he loved. “I can’t do everything for everything on Earth,” Johnson once said. “What I can do is, I can help owls.”