RESTON, Va. — Leading conservationist, outdoorsman, and business leader John Robbins will serve as chair of the National Wildlife Federation’s Board of Directors and lead its ongoing strategic planning process. Robbins presided over the 87th Annual Meeting of the National Wildlife Federation in Lake Tahoe, the first in-person meeting of affiliate representatives since 2019. Robbins took over as chair in May and has served as chair-elect since June 2022.

“John’s leadership will help focus our work on recovering wildlife, restoring habitat, and strengthening our strategic planning. As chair of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and a longtime board member here, John understands not only the challenges facing people and wildlife alike, but also the transformative role the conservation movement can play,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “John has been an invaluable leader and thought partner to my team and me. We will continue to work together to find collaborative solutions and innovative strategies to bring people together to help people and wildlife thrive.”

“The National Wildlife Federation and our affiliates are uniquely positioned to lead the 21st century conservation movement. I look forward to working with the affiliates, my fellow board members, and the staff to protect our vital lands, water, and wildlife for future generations — and to ensure our work reflects our equity and justice values,” Robbins said. “We have an immense amount of work ahead, but I believe we can find common ground and build an environmental movement that helps wildlife and people thrive in a time of wildlife, biodiversity, and climate crises.”

Robbins has served on the Federation’s Board since 2017, and was elected Eastern Vice-Chair in 2019. He helped develop the organization’s most recent strategic plan in 2016-2017 and played a lead role with Mamie Parker, other board members, and the Environmental Justice team in developing the Creating Safe Spaces series. Robbins previously served as Chair of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, and is a passionate conservationist and outdoorsperson. He is passionate about fishing, paddling of all types, hiking, birds, scuba diving, and maintaining his pollinator garden.

The National Wildlife Federation voted at its Annual Meeting to elect and re-elect a series of conservationists and affiliate members to its board of directors. The affiliates elected Brad Powell of the Arizona Wildlife Federation to serve as the board’s next Western vice chair. The affiliates also elected and re-elected the following regional directors: Priscilla De La Cruz of the Environmental League of Massachusetts and Environmental Council of Rhode Island; Mark Berry of the Georgia Wildlife Federation; Allyn Dukes of the Texas Conservation Alliance; Bob Rees of the Association of Northwest Steelheaders; and Jeremy Vesbach of the New Mexico Wildlife Federation.

The board’s newly elected and re-elected at-large members are: Fred Kowal, Jay Lanier, Cathy Novelli, Stevie Parsons, Sally Ranney, Gloria Tom, and Beth Viola.