Jeff Wells

Jeff Wells is currently the VP of Boreal Conservation at the National Audubon Society. Prior to this, they served as the National Bird Conservation Director from January 1999 to December 2003. In this role, they positioned the National Audubon Society as a leader in conservation policy and developed a comprehensive national bird conservation strategic plan. Jeff also cultivated relationships with corporate sponsors, private donors, foundations, governmental agencies, and NGOs, resulting in full funding of National Audubon’s national bird conservation program and funding of many state-level bird conservation staff. Jeff has also increased National Audubon’s “bird conservation brand” through a communications strategic plan that included print, broadcast, and electronic media; publications; presentations at professional conferences and meetings, and other venues. Jeff has also developed strategic alliances for National Audubon with federal and state agencies, organizations, and others including BirdLife International, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, North American Bird Conservation Initiative, North American Colonial Waterbird Conservation Plan, North American Waterfowl Management Plan, U.S. Shorebird Conservation Planning Council, Ducks Unlimited, The Nature Conservancy, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, and others.

Jeff Wells completed their Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Cornell University. Prior to that, they completed their Master's Degree in the same field at Cornell University.

Their manager is Marshall Johnson, Chief Conservation Officer. They are on a team with Julie Hill-Gabriel - VP, Water Conservation, Justin Stokes - Deputy Chief Conservation Officer.