USA
Mood of Living 07/31/2023
Dr. Elizabeth Gray, the CEO of the National Audubon Society, leads the non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of birds and their habitats. Her innate interest in science and nature led her to study psychology at Harvard and gain a Ph.D. in ecology at the University of Washington. For Dr. Gray, people and animals have always been interconnected, and her conservancy work aims to benefit both. After she graduated, Dr. Gray spent several years studying birds in Nevada and Hawaii before working at The Nature Conservancy. At TNC, Dr. Gray spent over 20 years championing climate conservation efforts on a large scale.
In 2021, Dr. Gray became the first female Chief Executive Officer at the National Audubon Society. The Audubon Society’s mission is twofold: to protect birds and their habitats and to engage people in the conservation of birds and their ecosystems. The organization accomplishes this mission through a variety of programs and initiatives, including science-based conservation, advocacy and policy work, education and outreach, and the creation and management of bird sanctuaries and other protected areas. With a history spanning over 100 years, the organization has become a trusted voice in the birding community and a leading advocate for conservation efforts. At its core, Audubon is committed to protecting birds and their present and future habitats.
Mood of Living: Where are you from? Where did you grow up?
Dr. Elizabeth Gray: I am originally from Virginia and grew up in the Washington, DC, area. Growing up, I was exposed to many cultures and ideas that sparked my curiosity about the world. This led me to travel extensively across the U.S. and East Africa. I have lived in the Northeast, California, Pacific Northwest, Hawaii, Costa Rica, Argentina and Southeast Asia. I have lived immersed in diverse cultures, understanding their values and unique perspectives. It broadened my horizons and sharpened my ability to connect with people from all walks of life. I didn’t know it at the time, but I was training to lead a global organization.
Studying birds led to a lifelong career in conservation.
MoL: What or who inspired your interest in science and nature?
EG: You know the saying, ‘The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree?’ Well, that is true for me. My dad was a scientist. He was endlessly curious and instilled a sense of curiosity and wonder in all his kids. Both my parents sparked a desire to understand how the world works. When I was very young, I started reading Jane Goodall’s books about her life and work in Africa — I wanted to be Jane Goodall. I could say that I never imagined I would one day have the opportunity to work with her — but it’s not true. I did imagine it, and it happened. That’s why I tell young people to believe in themselves and follow their dreams.
MoL: You were awarded a Ph.D. in ecology from the University of Washington and an A.B. with high honors in psychology from Harvard University. What inspired your interest in ecology and psychology? How did these studies influence your professional direction?
EG: I chose a degree in psychology because I’m fascinated by people, and I get great joy from helping them. Then I took a course with the renowned biologist EO Wilson as an undergraduate at Harvard. That class changed my life. I had always loved birds and nature, but learning about the wonders of ecology from EO Wilson was transformative. It set me on a conservation career path that led me to this very spot. When I came to Audubon, my experience and passions aligned in a way I had always hoped for — a leadership role with an organization that helps birds, people and the planet
Audubon protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow.
MoL: What impact has your conservation work had on people and the planet?
EG: Conservation is about nature and people. When you protect natural habitats for plants and animals, people also benefit. Humans are not separate from nature. We all need the same things to thrive — clean air, clean water, and a healthy place to live. That’s true if you’re a bird or a person — or a chimpanzee. Let me give you a real-world example. I worked for three years in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute, The Nature Conservancy, and the Tanzanian government to understand the impacts of climate change on wildlife and rural communities where most villagers made less than $150 a year. People there live primarily off fishing in Lake Tanganyika, but the fish were disappearing due to climate impacts. The lake was warming, food was becoming scarce, and there was a real threat that people would turn to chimps as a food source. Our planning success was wholly tied to positive outcomes for people and animals.
MoL: Before your role as CEO at the Audubon Society, you were with The Nature Conservancy for more than 20 years. What accomplishments are you most proud of?
EG: I am proud of so many things we accomplished at TNC. One that stands out for me was the purchase of 250,000 acres in Central Appalachia to tackle climate change, connect wildlife corridors, and help local communities with programs that supported a just transition for miners from the coal industry into renewable energy. Projects on this scale truly leave a legacy and directly impact the health of the region, local people, and wildlife. It’s a simple formula — by preserving forests, you store carbon dioxide, keep it from entering the atmosphere, and contribute to the global fight against climate change. Healthy forests benefit rivers and contribute to clean water, air and wetland preservation. These are essential for all living things.
‘Bending the Bird Curve’ to halt, then reverse, the steep decline of birds across the Americas.
MoL: When and why was the National Audubon Society created? Why is it still relevant today?
EG: The National Audubon Society has a long history of changing human behavior and has advocated for birds since 1905. It was founded and named by George Grinnell, a New York historian and naturalist. But it was two courageous women who first put Audubon in the spotlight. They led a campaign against “murderous millinery” — the wholesale slaughter of millions of birds for the sake of fashion, particularly hats. Audubon was instrumental in passing the first Migratory Bird Treaty Act in 1918, which made it unlawful to sell, purchase or transport any migratory bird. These were the early days of bird conservationists confronting the greatest challenges of their time. The challenges keep changing, and Audubon has been there every step of the way. Our support for Rachel Carson’s campaign to ban DDT led to the remarkable recovery of bald eagles. And most recently, we played a leading role in securing major climate provisions in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
Audubon’s work has never been more relevant. We have lost 3 billion birds in North America since I was born. And the decline continues. Two-thirds of our remaining birds are threatened by climate change. Audubon is ready to meet the challenge. Our new Strategic Plan positions us to have a meaningful and lasting impact — protecting birds and places we love.
Conserving the places where birds need us most from Canada to Chile.
MoL: As the CEO of the National Audubon Society, what positive changes do you aim to make at the organization?
EG: Audubon is over a century old and has many strengths that have enabled it to succeed over time. We are science-based and nonpartisan. We engage with decision-makers through high-level diplomacy and on-the-ground grassroots advocacy. My job as CEO is to build on those strengths for greater impact. Our 2023-2028 strategic plan expands our conservation work across the Western Hemisphere. It recognizes that 70% of bird species in the Americas migrate annually between Canada, the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. Our programs are now like the birds — unencumbered by political boundaries and seamlessly integrated across the hemisphere. Our vision is to halt and ultimately reverse the precipitous decline of birds across the Americas. The bottom line is we have to think bigger — bigger than countries — bigger than governments — even bigger than continents. We have to think and act at the scale of the problem.
The organization must also be strong to achieve our ambitious conservation goals. My three biggest internal priorities are cultivating a supportive, respectful and inclusive culture; ensuring staff feels safe and valued by Audubon; and empowering staff to carry out our mission during this critical moment for birds and the planet. It is crucial to me that equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB) are driving forces woven throughout all our work. We have committed $25 million over the next five years to expand our EDIB work, which includes increasing the diversity of our staff and Board and continuing to partner with communities of color hit hardest by the impacts of climate change.
I firmly believe that how we work is as important as what we do. One aspect of this is building a learning culture — Audubon is a place where innovation and informed risk-taking are encouraged. Where we pause and take time to learn from the mistakes and failures that inevitably come from trying new things. These behaviors are how we are fostering a sense of belonging at Audubon. This mindset is not just a nice thing to have. It is a foundational element of mission success. Everything comes back to our ability to meet the urgency of the moment. We frankly don’t have time to play it safe or continue doing the same things repeatedly. We must take calculated risks, which means we must be willing to fail. We love it when things turn out just as we hoped, but it is when they don’t that we often learn the most.
What is good for birds is good for people and the Earth.
MoL: When and where did you train as an ornithologist? What made you interested in birds?
EG: My studies were at the intersection of psychology and animal behavior. As an undergraduate at Harvard, my senior thesis was to study homing pigeon navigation. While working on my doctoral thesis in Ecology at the University of Washington, I witnessed a conservation calamity firsthand. Two blackbird species filled the landscape with beautiful songs during my first field season. In the second year, it was noticeably quieter. Only one species had returned. This was my wake-up call. I knew something was wrong — and at that moment, I knew I would devote my career to conservation. The birds’ silence was sending me, all of us, a message to listen and take action.
After grad school, I met my husband while we both were studying migratory shorebirds in the Great Basin in Nevada. We then spent several years in Hawaii working with endangered Hawaiian honeycreepers that live on the slopes of Mauna Kea. I am grateful to birds for pointing me toward my professional career and my husband.
Seabirds are in steep decline. They are telling us it is time to take action.
MoL: How can birds tell us about what is currently happening in the environment?
EG: Birds are an indicator species. Severe declines in bird populations warn us about future threats facing people and communities. Many people know the metaphor of the ‘canary in the coal mine,’ which warned miners about the presence of dangerous gasses. Today, it’s not just canaries; all birds are messengers. Birds are sensitive to changes in temperature and air and water quality. They need the same healthy environments and conditions that we need to thrive. When birds are in trouble — we are all in trouble — whether in a coal mine or in everyday life.
No one was talking about climate when I was studying honeycreepers in Hawaii, but changes in the natural world were already happening. We observed that a new threat was further endangering the honeycreepers — mosquitos were moving up the mountain as a direct result of a warming climate. At Audubon, we pay attention to what birds are telling us because their survival, and ours, depends on a coordinated effort at every level of society to address the impacts of climate change.
MoL: What would a world be like without birds?
EG: The first word that comes to mind is ‘sad.’ Birds are a source of joy and wonder for so many people. They are found on every continent. Almost every person on earth has some knowledge or experience with birds. Our connection to birds is old and runs deep. Our ancient ancestors were expressing this relationship through art more than ten thousand years ago. Paleolithic rock art depicting birds has been found throughout Europe, Australia, and later in Central Africa and the Americas. This urge to creatively express our connection to birds is part of who we are. Birds inspire art, music, and poetry. What would the world be like without birds – there would be less joy, less color and an eerie silence.
On a practical level, they are essential to life on Earth. They pollinate our forests and crops, keep insect populations under control, and fill an ecological niche that no other species can. They are also a basic food source for other animal species and for many people.
Innovative farms and ranches thrive and support critical bird habitats.
MoL: What advice do you have for the next generation of conservation leaders?
EG: My favorite Steve Jobs quote is, “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world — are the ones who do.” So, my advice to the next generation of conservation leaders is — believe you can do it, don’t give up, and dare to change the world.
Hope is all around us. The natural world is resilient; birds are resilient if we give them a chance. Growing up along the Potomac River, I never saw bald eagles. But since DDT was banned, just a few miles from the nation’s capital, you can see bald eagles soaring along the river with the monuments in the background. Birds can spring back from the edge of extinction, proving that we can make a difference when we put our minds to it.
MoL: What can individual people do to get involved in preserving our natural environment and saving our birds? How can people help the National Audubon Society?
EG: Every person has the ability to do something positive for birds and the environment, no matter how large or small.
Each and every one of us has the ability to make a difference. Our choices matter, our actions have an impact. Our collective power can shape a future where birds, people and our planet thrive.
Photography credits:
Top image: Photo: Luke Franke/Audubon.
Gallery 1, all photos: Courtesy of Elizabeth Grey.
Gallery 2, from left to right: Arrow Myers/Audubon Photography Awards; Michele Black/Great Backyard Bird Count; Joshua Galicki, Jocelyn Anderson, Nate Chappell, North Joffe Nelson, Rachel Hogancamp, Sandra M. Rothenberg, Cris Hamilton, Tom Barnwell, Cindy L. Fullwiler, Lillian Beasley (2), all Audubon Photography Awards.
Gallery 3, from left to right: Mike Fernandez; Camilla Cerea (2); Mike Fernandez (2), all Audubon; Mary Anne Karren.
Gallery 4, from left to right: Camilla Cerea (2); Mike Fernandez (2); Luke Franke; Mike Fernandez, all Audubon.
Gallery 5, all photos: Luke Franke/Audubon.
Gallery 6, from left to right: Walker Golder; Luke Franke; Jean Hall; Walker Golder; Jean Hall (2).
Gallery 7, all photos: Evan Barrientos/Audubon Rockies
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