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NEW YORK — Today, the 51������� announced the appointment of Ana Paula Tavares as executive director of 51������� New York and 51������� Connecticut and senior advisor to International Alliances Program. Ms. Tavares comes to 51������� New York and 51������� Connecticut after 18 years at Rainforest Alliance.

“Saving birds’ lives and the places we all need, is inspiring and urgent, said Ms. Tavares.  “51�������’s unparalleled network of partners and smart strategic plan caught my attention.  The opportunity to lead forest, coastal and urban conservation work on-the-ground while educating the next generation of conservationists in New York and Connecticut is very exciting.”

As head of 51������� New York and 51������� Connecticut, Ms. Tavares will oversee conservation strategies including working lands, coasts, climate, water, and bird-friendly communities, as well as provide strategic advice to 51�������’s international program. In New York and Connecticut, the focus will be on coastal and marine zones, healthy forests, Long Island Sound, Great Lakes and educational and outreach programs based out of 10 nature centers across the two states. In Latin America, she will help with development of new collaborations with local communities on efforts to conserve critical bird habitats.

“New York and Connecticut are home to critically important habitats for birds including the Long Island Sound and the Northeastern forests that serve as important breeding and stopover sites for birds that use the entire Atlantic Flyway,” said David O’Neill, 51�������’s chief conservation officer and senior advisor to the CEO. “Ana Paula has an incredible track record of strategic organizational management, fundraising and conservation and we’re fortunate to have her on board at 51�������.”

During her 18-year tenure at Rainforest Alliance, Tavares rose through the ranks building upon her fundraising and programmatic success. Tavares is largely credited for growing the organization’s annual budget from $3.5 million to $52 million. Programmatically, Tavares conceptualized multi-country conservation projects, and was closely involved with the development of long term partnerships with governments and corporate partners.  She led the restructuring of the Rainforest Alliance’s forest, agriculture and tourism Markets Transformation teams and the work of the unified division helping companies like Unilever, Mars, Nestle and Staples meet their sustainability goals.

In addition to her tenure at Rainforest Alliance, Tavares is a member of the International Olympics Committee Legacy and Sustainability Commission and serves on numerous environmental boards.

To learn more about 51������� New York and 51������� Connecticut please follow the state offices on Facebook and Instagram.

The 51������� protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. 51�������'s state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, 51�������'s vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. 51������� is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more how to help at www.audubon.org and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @audubonsociety.

Contact: media@audubon.org.

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