FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 15, 2012

CONTACT: Michael P. O'Connor 781-259-2134 mediarelations@massaudubon.org

Mass Audubon Names Henry George Tepper As Its Next President

LINCOLN, MA — Mass Audubon’s Board of Directors voted unanimously last week to elect Henry George Tepper as the organization’s next President.

An internationally recognized conservationist with significant experience in land protection and advocacy, Tepper has an impressive list of accomplishments in the nonprofit and governmental arenas, both in the United States and abroad, and he is currently the Chief Conservation Officer and a Partner at Patagonia Sur, LLC, a company that invests in, protects, and enhances ecologically significant properties in Chilean Patagonia. 

At Patagonia Sur, Tepper has led a team that has created a practical template for a conservation easement in Chilean law, and has established one of Chile’s first independent land trusts, the Tierra Austral Land Trust. He also launched and continues to serve as the senior U.S.advisor to the Chilean Private Lands Conservation Initiative, which has introduced breakthrough conservation easement enabling legislation in the Chilean Congress.

Prior to working at Patagonia Sur, Tepper served for two-and-a-half years as Vice President of State Programs for the National Audubon Society, where he oversaw nine state programs in the eastern United States, as well as the organization’s Atlantic Flyway Conservation Initiative.

Prior to working at the National Audubon Society, Tepper spent 13 years at The Nature Conservancy (TNC), serving for one year as Director of International Programs, Eastern US Region; eight years as State Director for New York; and four years as State Director for New Hampshire. During his time at TNC, Tepper launched and successfully led numerous multi-million dollar campaigns to protect habitats. He also initiated a series of increasingly landscape-scale forest conservation projects that successfully protected more than 350,000 acres in both states.

Tepper’s career also includes serving as Deputy Commissioner for Natural Resources for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and as Executive Director of the Columbia Land Conservancy in the Hudson River Valley, where he is currently a member of the Board of Directors. Throughout his career, Tepper has worked to advance the professional capacities of land trust organizations, and most recently served for four years as a member of the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance.

Board Chair Jonathan Panek lauded Tepper’s selection. “Henry’s lifetime experience of conservation and environmental advocacy in the Northeast, across the country, and internationally provides Mass Audubon with the vision and direction necessary to lead the conservation community confidently into the coming decades,” Panek said.

Tepper holds a B.A. from the University of Michigan and an M.A. and Admission to Doctoral Candidacy in the History of Art from Cornell University. He and his wife, Jane Henoch, a nurse practitioner, have two children, Katherine 19, and Miles 16. He comes from a family of birders and in part credits his lifelong commitment to conservation to his childhood visits to Mass Audubon sanctuaries and excursions on Monomoy and South Beach in Chatham with Mass Audubon staff. 

“I am honored and humbled to be selected to have the opportunity to lead Mass Audubon,” said Tepper. “This is an extraordinary organization with an outstanding record of accomplishments in protecting the nature of the Commonwealth for its residents and visitors. I am so excited about joining Mass Audubon’s incredible Board, staff, volunteers, and supporters in these efforts.”

Tepper will take over the leadership of Mass Audubon from Laura Johnson, who will be stepping down after 14 years as President. He will start on Tuesday, January 15, 2013.

###

Mass Audubon works to protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife. Together with more than 100,000 members, we care for 35,000 acres of conservation land, provide school, camp, and other educational programs for 225,000 children and adults annually, and advocate for sound environmental policies at local, state, and federal levels. Founded in 1896 by two inspirational women who were committed to the protection of birds, Mass Audubon has grown to become a powerful force for conservation in New England. Today we are respected for our sound science, successful advocacy, and innovative approaches to connecting people and nature. Each year, our statewide network of wildlife sanctuaries welcomes nearly half a million visitors of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds and serves as the base for our work. To support these important efforts, call 800-AUDUBON (800-283-8266) or visit www.massaudubon.org.