Saving Nature Appoints Stony Brook's Safina to Science Board

Saving Nature, Durham, N.C., announced the appointment of two new members to the Management Board and one new member to the Science Board.

Lucas Joppa, Microsoft's first chief environmental officer, and Alex Dehgan, CEO of Conservation X Labs, and chief strategic officer of Thylacine Biosciences, have agreed to serve as Directors on the Management Board to amplify the organization's impact in preventing the loss of biodiversity, fighting climate change, and rescuing communities from environmental destruction.

Ecologist and author Carl Safina, the first Endowed Professor for Nature and Humanity at Stony Brook University, and founder of the not-for-profit Safina Center has joined the Science Board to ensure Saving Nature's conservation portfolio focuses on science-driven priorities for habitat restoration.

"We are thrilled about having three of the leading voices in conservation join Saving Nature in our mission to use science and technology-driven conservation approaches to addressing the issue of deforestation and its consequences for biodiversity, climate change, and human health," said Stuart Pimm, Founder and President of Saving Nature. "Their insights and experience in conservation science and technology further enhances our unique approach to building capacity for local conservation organizations for practical, effective, and lasting solutions to deforestation."

Safina's earned a PhD in ecology from Rutgers University for his studies of seabird foraging. He is the first Endowed Professor for Nature and Humanity at Stony Brook University, and founder of the not-for-profit Safina Center. His writing explores what is at stake as humans continue to alter the living world, and what those alterations mean for wild places and for living beings. His work combines broad scientific understanding, emotional connection, and a moral call to action.

His writing has won the MacArthur "genius" prize; Pew, Guggenheim, and National Science Foundation Fellowships; the National Academies' Communication of Science Award for best book of 2003, a Lannan Foundation book award, Orion Magazine's Book of the Year, the Merck Literary Award; and the John Burroughs, James Beard, and George Rabb medals. Safina was host of the 10-part PBS series, Saving the Ocean on PBS.org. Two of his books have been New York Times Notable Books of the Year, including his 2020 book Becoming Wild; How Animal Cultures Raise Families, Create Beauty, and Achieve Peace.