Glenn Olson leads Audubon's efforts to conserve birds and their habitats along the four flyways, catalyzing work across Audubon's national network of state programs, Centers and Chapters, and Important Bird Areas as well as with our BirdLife International partners throughout the Western Hemisphere. Since becoming the Donal O'Brien Chair in Bird Conservation in 2009, Olson has worked with the Lufkin Family to establish the Dan W. Lufkin Environmental Prize, represented Audubon in the creation of the 2013 State of the Birds Report on Private Lands, and collaborated with Audubon's Policy office in catalyzing the Focal Species Initiative.
Olson was re-appointed by Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell to the North American Wetlands Conservation Act Council (NAWCA) and the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act Advisory Council in 2013. The NAWCA Council has provided $4 billion to the conservation of wetlands for migratory birds since 1989 in Canada, Mexico and the USA. Through these strategic positions, Olson advances international bird conservation by building capacity in both Audubon's programs as well as collaborating with partner organizations. His commitment to international and national partnerships gives Audubon the ability to effectively conserve birds in the hemisphere's most important migratory stopovers and wintering sites.
Before assuming his current position, Olson oversaw Audubon's national field programs and led Audubon California where he spearheaded major wetland restoration and protection projects. Olson started his Audubon career as the conservation chair for the Los Angeles Audubon Chapter and taught at the Audubon Camp of the West in Dubois, Wyoming. In 2002, Olson received Audubon's Charles H. Callison Award in recognition of his conservation achievements.
Education
M.P.H., University of California-Los Angeles
B.S. in Zoology, University of California-Santa Barbara
