From Helle Raheem at Bedford Audubon (her photo, too); also note the session on bird photography:

“For Bedford Audubon, the new year will be an exciting one, no doubt. After relying on volunteers for 95 years, we have decided to appoint our first Executive Director, and we are very pleased to announce that Jim Nordgren has accepted this position. The attached News Release provides details about Jim and comments from Bedford Audubon’s president and others. I am also attaching a photo of Jim Nordgren.

“On Wednesday, January 14, at 7:30 p.m. we will have our monthly lecture. The title of the program, which will be held at Katonah Memorial House, is “Demystifying Bird Photography: Pointers and Pitfalls” With Photographer Sean Sime. We invite you to attend this lecture, where you will have a chance to meet Jim Nordgren.

———- press release—-

For info about the release: Tony Ianniello, President, 914-556-8817. tianniello@bedfordaudubon.org

For info about Bedford Audubon: www.bedfordaudubon.org
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Jim Nordgren Appointed Executive Director of Bedford Audubon Society

Bedford Audubon Society, a local chapter of National Audubon, is pleased to announce that Jim Nordgren will be joining us as our first Executive Director. After 95 years as a volunteer-based organization, we have decided that a full-time professional would help us take Bedford Audubon into the science-based environmental role that we believe our members and our era demand. We are delighted to entrust that leadership position to Jim Nordgren. He comes to us with a wealth of environmental, government, and financial experience. Most recently, Jim was Executive Director for the Northeast Wilderness Trust in Boston, which funds land protection in the Adirondacks and New England. In the community, Jim is well known as the former Town Supervisor of Lewisboro, in which capacity he showed fiscal responsibility as well as a strong commitment to environmental issues. Some of his many governmental accomplishments include passing of the nation’s first inter-municipal agreement on biodiversity, a strong wetland protection ordinance, and regulations for building on steep slopes. Jim has participated in numerous land preservation projects, including the Leon Levy Preserve and the Old Field Preserve in our area, and also David’s Island in Long Island Sound. Additionally, Jim has been active in many environmental organizations such as the Lewisboro Land Trust (co-founder), the Ridgefield Action Committee for Environment (co-founder), the Westchester Land Trust, the Westchester County Global Warming Task Force, Riverkeeper, and Scenic Hudson. With an MBA in Finance he worked on Wall Street for 20 years as Senior Vice President for Paine Webber and Director for Dresdner Kleinwort and Wasserstein. Last year, Jim completed another Masters degree in Environmental Management at Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Science.

Bedford Audubon Society President Tony Ianniello welcomed Jim Nordgren as the organization’s first executive director. “We feel extremely fortunate to have Jim joining us. He brings a unique background of environmental leadership, business management, and public service. We are confident that he will help us build on our past successes and help us have even more impact in the future.”

Long-time Bedford Audubon board member and ex-President John Askildsen added, “Bedford Audubon has had a great run for the last 95 years, but it is time for us to take the next step. We are delighted to have found in Jim a person that brings passion and vision as well as deep scientific knowledge to his new role.”

Jim Nordgren enthusiastically welcomed the new challenge. “Bedford Audubon is in the right place to lead in this challenging time. Their science-based environmentalism and their education programs can be a powerful combination to inform and advocate. I’ve enjoyed meeting the board and I’m glad to have their support as we start working together.”

As Executive Director of Bedford Audubon, Jim will be in charge of the day-to-day running of the organization, including preserve management, programs, science, education, and volunteer activities and development. Jim lives in South Salem with his wife, Peggy, and two daughters (one in college).

Bedford Audubon Society is a registered 501©(3). Its mission is to promote conservation and protection of wildlife habitats through education, advocacy, nature study and bird watching.