I am thrilled to announce that Scott Wilbor has joined the Sky Island Alliance team as our Conservation Science Director. Scott brings years of experience working as a conservation biologist in the Sky Island Region and Arizona on diverse conservation issues. Scott was instrumental in developing the science-based system of Important Bird Areas for Audubon Society that many of us in Arizona enjoy. He will enrich our team and conservation work with his ability to link rigorous citizen-science to conservation planning and on-the-ground protections, in addition to his extensive regional knowledge. Please join me in welcoming him to Sky Island Alliance!
Scott’s recent positions included Desert Rivers Program Lead at Arizona Land and Water Trust, Conservation Director at the Cascabel Conservation Association, and Graduate Research Assistant at the Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, University of Arizona. Scott holds a Master of Science in Wildlife Biology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. In 2014 he received his second Master of Science and a certificate in Geographic Information Science (GIS) from the School of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of Arizona, with a focus on large landscape conservation design, community value-focused conservation, and climate change adaptation. Prior to returning to graduate school Scott was the Conservation Biologist and Arizona Important Bird Areas Program Coordinator with Tucson Audubon Society for 11 years.
Scott’s passion is applying conservation science to achieve on-the-ground results that support the diversity of life and natural resources of the Sky Islands and ensuring effective land and water management and policy. Scott said, “After admiring the Sky Island Alliance approach of using citizen-science volunteers for tangible conservation actions and data-driven advocacy for many, many years, I knew that someday I wanted to work with the Sky Island Alliance team in a science-based capacity. I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to achieve lasting conservation outcomes in our Sky Islands!”
Scott will lead a diverse portfolio of work to protect vital water sources, monitor wildlife and their movement, protect connected open space, and develop responses to accelerating climate change. Scott says he looks forward “to working to integrate Sky Island Alliance’s diverse conservation projects, effectively engage citizen-scientists, and increase synergy and conservation impact, as well as integrating climate-smart strategies for biodiversity conservation. My vision is to achieve the most durable conservation portfolio possible for this incredibly natural and culturally rich Sky Island Region.”
Scott can be reached at [email protected] or 520-624-7080 x21