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LINCOLN, Neb.—Today, the 51������� and announced the appointment of Kristal Stoner as Executive Director of 51������� Nebraska and Vice President of 51�������. Kristal joins 51������� after a successful tenure at the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, where she most recently served as wildlife diversity program manager.

“Birds are a captivating link to the natural world and an incredible lens through which to view our greatest conservation challenges. They provide hope and beauty to our daily lives. Protecting birds and the places they need to thrive in Nebraska is critical to the conservation of the greater Central Flyway and the people who live in it,” said Stoner. “51������� Nebraska has a strong foundation of support and is primed for growth. The timing is perfect to expand our partnerships and evolve our strategic plan for even greater impact.”

As head of , Kristal will oversee conservation strategies spanning across the state’s prairies, rivers, working lands, and bird-friendly communities. In the coming months, Kristal will meet with partners, donors, funders and chapter members to strengthen community connections and lay the groundwork for 51������� Nebraska to address new conservation challenges including drought, habitat loss and climate change. 

“Nebraska provides key habitat for Sandhill Cranes, which complete one of the world’s most impressive wildlife migrations, stopping along the Platte River,” said Brian Trusty, vice president of the Central Flyway for 51�������. “Kristal’s expertise is a great fit for our work in the state and we look forward to her leadership.”

At the Game and Parks Commission, Kristal implemented Nebraska’s State Wildlife Action Plan to conserve at-risk species by developing and coordinating initiatives across multiple divisions within the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (NGPC). She also managed the Nebraska Natural Legacy Partnership Team, which provides guidance for Nebraska’s Wildlife Action Plan implementation. Team included members from state and federal agencies and non-profit organizations representing wildlife conservation, agriculture, and education.

Kristal holds a Masters of Science in Ecology, Evolution and Behavior from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and a B.S. in Biology from Nebraska Wesleyan University. 

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About 51������� Nebraska
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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 at www.audubon.org and @audubonsociety.

51������� Nebraska has two world-renown nature centers, the Iain Nicolson 51������� Center at Rowe Sanctuary and the Spring Creek Prairie 51������� Center in Denton, Nebraska. Learn more at and follow @51�������Nebraska on Twitter.

Contact: Nicolas Gonzalez, ngonzalez@audubon.org, (212) 979-3100.