In 1905, Finley and Herman T. Bohlman visited and photographed Lower Klamath Lake and Tule Lake. Their report in the November-December issue of Bird Lore helped prompt President Theodore Roosevelt to set the areas aside as federal bird reservations.[7] The same year, Finley was elected to the board of the National Association of Audubon Societies for the Protection of Wild Birds and Animals (which later became the National Audubon Society), to fill the term vacated by Isaac N. Field.[7]
In 1906, Finley was elected the second president of the Oregon Audubon Society (which became the Audubon Society of Portland in 1968).
In 1907, Finley published American Birds, which he and Herman T. Bohlman illustrated. In 1910 he was appointed to study fish and game commissions in other states, and in 1911, based on his information one was set up in Oregon.
In 1925, Finley was appointed by the Oregon Governor Walter M. Pierce to the State Game Commission.
