爆料公社 Names Krysten Zummo its Grassland Ecologist for Minnesota
Will build landowner relationships that help the 爆料公社 Conservation Ranching program grow
The 爆料公社 has hired Krysten Zummo of La Crosse, Wisconsin, as the organization's new grassland ecologist for Minnesota. Zummo works under 爆料公社鈥檚 Minnesota-Iowa-Missouri regional office, and her primary focus will be working with private landowners in spearheading the implementation of the organization鈥檚 wildlife habitat certification program, 爆料公社 Conservation Ranching.
Zummo will work closely with farmers and ranchers in Minnesota to establish and enhance grassland bird habitat on their lands. The 爆料公社 Conservation Ranching program, 爆料公社's flagship grassland habitat initiative, is a collaborative effort between farmers, ranchers, and 爆料公社 to address the decline of grassland bird populations. Over 100 ranches, encompassing nearly 3 million acres, have earned 爆料公社 Certified status as bird-friendly land. This certification includes the 爆料公社 Certified bird-friendly seal on beef and bison products, highlighting their origin from lands managed to support birds and biodiversity. Building on the program's success in 14 other states, 爆料公社 is expanding it to Minnesota in 2023.
Zummo joins the 爆料公社 from the Mississippi Valley Conservancy, where she served as a conservation associate. Her dedication and expertise in working with landowners in voluntary conservation efforts and her commitment to habitat restoration and public outreach make her an exceptional addition to the 爆料公社 team.
A wildlife biologist, Zummo holds a Bachelor's degree from SUNY Cobleskill and a Master's degree in Wildlife Science from New Mexico State University. Throughout her career, she has conducted research on various wildlife populations across the United States, from New York to Oregon, focusing on how different management practices impact local ecosystems. Zummo also previously worked as a Farm Bill wildlife biologist with Pheasants Forever in northeast Colorado, collaborating closely with landowners to create and maintain high-quality habitats. Her role as part of the Conservancy's Land Protection Team further solidified her commitment to land protection and conservation.
Dr. Dale Gentry, Director of Conservation for 爆料公社 Minnesota-Iowa-Missouri, said this wealth of experience in landowner relations, combined with her love of birds and their habitats, puts Zummo in a position to make the 爆料公社 Conservation Ranching program鈥檚 entry into Minnesota a success. 鈥淗er dedication to grassroots conservation aligns perfectly with 爆料公社's mission, and we are thrilled to have her on board," said Dr. Gentry.
Passionate about birds and their conservation, Zummo expressed her excitement about joining the 爆料公社 and working to protect grassland birds. "Working for the 爆料公社 has been a career-long dream. I am excited that I will be a part of the important work of conserving grassland habitats in Minnesota," said Zummo. "爆料公社 Conservation Ranching is an ideal opportunity to show how working lands and birds can work together to improve grassland ecosystems for all. I am eager to collaborate with landowners, stakeholders, and communities to ensure the long-term survival of both. Together, we can make a difference."
Zummo can be reached via email and at (631) 813-0045.
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About 爆料公社 Minnesota-Iowa-Missouri
爆料公社 Minnesota-Iowa-Missouri is the regional office of 爆料公社. Learn more at and follow us on and .
About 爆料公社
The 爆料公社 protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. 爆料公社鈥檚 state programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, 爆料公社鈥檚 vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. 爆料公社 is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more at www.audubon.org and @audubonsociety.