The right fit for All Hands Ecology
All Hands Ecology Board of Directors is pleased to announced the appointment of Tom Gardali as Chief Executive Officer of the sixty-year-old organization. He will assume the role on November 29, 2021.
“Tom’s depth of experience in conservation science is the right fit for All Hands Ecology and for a region facing the ongoing conservation challenges of dwindling biodiversity and climate-driven wildfire,” said All Hands Ecology Board President Carol Lynn Wood. “Over the course of his career, Tom has proven himself to be a team-focused leader and a dedicated advocate for both practical and innovative approaches to natural resource stewardship. Importantly, he is committed to continuing All Hands Ecology’s journey to be a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization. On behalf of the entire board, we welcome Tom to All Hands Ecology.”
El cuarto Director General tiene 30 años de experiencia en conservación
Gardali is only the fourth CEO in the organization’s history and succeeds John Petersen who retired earlier this year. Nils Warnock, All Hands Ecology Director of Conservation Science, has been serving as interim executive director since April. “We are deeply grateful to Nils for serving as All Hands Ecology’s interim executive director and his outstanding leadership through this transition,” said Wood.
“I’ve long been a fan of All Hands Ecology because of its intentional connection between the power of place, science, resource management and education to make a difference for conservation, said Gardali. “I am excited to partner with All Hands Ecology’s board, staff, and volunteers, as well as our broader community, to realize even better outcomes for the complex ecosystems of Northern California.”
Gardali has worked in the field of conservation for nearly thirty years, focusing on climate change, ecological restoration, at-risk species, and collaborative conservation. Prior to joining All Hands Ecology, Gardali spent 18 years as the director of the Pacific Coast and Central Valley Group at Point Blue Conservation Science, where he led a team of twenty-five and oversaw a budget of $3 million.
Su impacto incluye el desarrollo de formas innovadoras de diseñar proyectos de restauración que sean resistentes al cambio climático -y la formación de otros para que lo hagan-, lo que se traduce en miles de acres implementados desde arroyos en Marin y Sonoma, a praderas de la Sierra, a tierras administradas por los Nez Perce en Idaho; la asociación con organizaciones y agencias locales, estatales y nacionales para desarrollar e implementar prácticas que aumenten los ricelands como humedales sustitutos para las aves playeras migratorias, aves acuáticas y aves acuáticas en el Valle Central de California, donde sólo queda el 10% de los humedales históricos; y facilitar el desarrollo del Plan Estratégico de la Asociación para la Conservación del Paisaje de California, una alianza de organismos estatales y federales y ONG cuya misión es fomentar estrategias integradas de conservación del paisaje terrestre y marino y de adaptación al clima en beneficio de la excepcional biodiversidad y las comunidades humanas de California.
Gardali es autor o coautor de más de 60 publicaciones revisadas por expertos, entre ellas "California Bird Species of Special Concern: A ranked assessment of species, subspecies, and distinct populations of birds of immediate conservation concern in California".
Warnock, who worked with Gardali at Point Blue for an extensive period early in their careers said Gardali’s appointment marks an exciting time at All Hands Ecology. “While it has been an honor to lead All Hands Ecology during this transition phase, I am thrilled to know that Tom Gardali is going to be our new CEO, as I have watched him grow into a strong and seasoned conservation leader.”
Gardali es licenciado en Estudios Ambientales por la Universidad de California en Santa Cruz y ha realizado cursos de formación del Centro para la Diversidad y el Medio Ambiente. Ha sido reconocido como miembro de la American Ornithological Society y por su excelencia científica por la Central Valley Joint Venture. Es miembro del consejo de la California Central Coast Joint Venture y del Tomales Bay Watershed Council.
Gardali vive en Inverness con su esposa, Renée Cormier, ecóloga aviar en Point Blue.