David Mears

David Mears

Executive Director of Audubon Vermont and Vice President of the National Audubon Society

David (he/him) joined Audubon in the fall of 2018. He directs Audubon Vermont  and in this role, supports the educational and outreach programs based out of the Green Mountain Audubon Center in Huntington. David also coordinates policy work for Audubon Vermont focused on bird species protection in the areas of climate, working lands, water, and bird-friendly communities. Prior to joining Audubon Vermont, he served as the Associate Dean of Environmental Programs at Vermont Law School. In addition to serving as a professor and administrator at Vermont Law School, David has held a number of positions in state and federal government including serving as Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation from 2011 to 2015.  He has also served in Texas state government, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, and the Washington Office of the Attorney General in the Ecology Division.  David has a degree in environmental engineering technology from Cornell University, and a Juris Doctor and Masters of Environmental Law and Policy degrees from Vermont Law School. He lives in Montpelier with his wife Nancy and spends his free time in the garden or roaming the hills, rivers and lakes in the region.

Articles by David Mears

Planning the Future of Vermont’s Forests and Fields
News

Planning the Future of Vermont’s Forests and Fields

— In passing the Community Resilience and Biodiversity Protection Act, the State of Vermont is taking an important step towards the conservation of the places that birds (and people) need to thrive
Striking a Balance: Creating Early Successional Forest Habitat through Timber Harvests
News

Striking a Balance: Creating Early Successional Forest Habitat through Timber Harvests

— Green Mountain National Forest limits road construction for the Early Successional Habitat Creation Project.
Will this be Vermont’s Year of the Forest?
News

Will this be Vermont’s Year of the Forest?

— Take action now to support Vermont's forest birds.
Making a Difference for Birds at the Vermont Statehouse
News

Making a Difference for Birds at the Vermont Statehouse

— Learn how you can make a difference for birds and the places birds (and all of us!) need to thrive.
ACTION ALERT: Support Funding for National Wildlife Refuges in Vermont
News

ACTION ALERT: Support Funding for National Wildlife Refuges in Vermont

— Please take a moment to urge your members of Congress and Governor Scott to support increased funding for the National Wildlife Refuge system in Vermont.
Great News for Funding Decisions
News

Great News for Funding Decisions

— The no-listing rider for the Greater Sage-Grouse has been removed from this year’s draft Senate appropriations bills.
Wetlands are a Nature-Based Solution to Climate Change
News

Wetlands are a Nature-Based Solution to Climate Change

— Take action to stand up for wetlands.