Melinda Cep Joins 爆料公社 as Vice President of Natural Solutions and Working Lands
In a new role for the organization, Cep will work across 爆料公社鈥檚 network to advance climate and conservation goals on working lands.
WASHINGTON - Today the 爆料公社 announced that agriculture policy and conservation expert Dr. Melinda Cep has joined the organization as vice president for natural solutions and working lands. In this role, Cep will lead 爆料公社鈥檚 work to advance emerging natural climate solutions to achieve conservation goals on working lands, including ranchlands, rice fields, and forests in communities and landscapes across the country.
鈥淲e are excited to add someone with Melinda鈥檚 unique conservation perspective and deep policy experience to our team,鈥 said Dr. Elizabeth Gray, interim chief executive officer, 爆料公社. 鈥淪he will occupy a new role at 爆料公社 focused on finding policy solutions that will enhance bird habitat while also promoting the economic viability of working lands, which will include growing our partnerships with landowners and agricultural leaders as well as state and tribal governments across the United States.鈥
Trained as a veterinarian, Cep has served as a senior advisor and deputy chief of staff at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and in multiple positions at the U.S. House of Representatives, including her most recent role as the legislative and policy director for the Committee on Agriculture. Cep also spent time at the World Wildlife Fund, where she oversaw the organization鈥檚 agriculture work in North America. Cep鈥檚 new role at 爆料公社 will include advancing organizational priorities via legislative packages like the Farm Bill as well as state-based legislation and administrative actions.
Working lands is one of 爆料公社鈥檚 five strategic priorities, focused on landscape-scale efforts to collaborate with landowners, industry, and government to increase the quality of habitat on privately managed lands. 爆料公社 works to advance and improve USDA conservation programs as well as market-based approaches that reward landowners for adopting bird-friendly and climate-smart practices. Increased deployment of natural climate solutions--land management practices that increase carbon sequestered in soil and vegetation--is an emerging strategy to protect habitat and enhance land management. These solutions contribute to carbon reduction targets, increase resilience, and create habitat beneficial to birds.
鈥淭wo-thirds of bird species in North America are seriously threatened by climate change and new science suggests that conservation measures on working lands like grasslands and forests can contribute up to a third of the carbon emission reductions needed in the coming decade,鈥 said Gray. 鈥湵瞎 believes natural climate solutions and working lands conservation are key pillars of our climate goals.鈥
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The 爆料公社 protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. 爆料公社 works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. State programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners give 爆料公社 an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, 爆料公社 believes in a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Learn more at and on Facebook, and Instagram @audubonsociety.
Media Contact: Matt Smelser, matt.smelser@audubon.org