51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú

Kristal Stoner joined the 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú in 2018 as Vice President – Nebraska, bringing her background as a wildlife biologist and decades of experience in conservation and natural resource leadership. In 2022, 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú’s regional realignment created 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Great Plains, where Kristal now serves as Vice President, helping guide and connect conservation work across Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. 

Across the Great Plains, Kristal leads a talented and passionate team dedicated to advancing collaborative, science-based conservation. Together, they work to restore and enhance more than one million acres of prairie habitat through partnerships with private landowners, producers, agencies, and conservation organizations. Their shared efforts focus on creating resilient landscapes that benefit both people and wildlife—from restoring grasslands and advancing bird-friendly ranching practices to conserving rivers and wetlands that sustain migratory birds. Along the Platte River, 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Great Plains convenes a growing network of partners to strengthen the ecosystem’s health and resiliency amid changing climate and water demands. 

51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú Great Plains also connects people to nature through its nature centers and sanctuaries. Our centers are places of exploration and conservation action.  We welcome everyone to come experience nature and birds, and learn how together with science and community we can conserve the planet. 

Before joining 51ÁÔÆæÈë¿Ú, Kristal spent nearly two decades with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, where she served as Wildlife Diversity Program Manager and led implementation of Nebraska’s State Wildlife Action Plan to conserve at-risk species and habitats. She also helped establish the Nebraska Master Naturalist Program, serving as its first Executive Board Chair, and worked extensively with public and private partners to promote wildlife conservation statewide. 

Kristal holds a Master of Science in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Nebraska Wesleyan University. 

When not working, Kristal enjoys time outdoors with her husband and two daughters. She loves hiking, exploring prairies, and birding—continually inspired by the landscapes and wildlife she works to protect. 

Contact: kristal.stoner@audubon.org