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

Audubon Vermont Thanks Governor and Legislators for New Migratory Bird Law
News

Audubon Vermont Thanks Governor and Legislators for New Migratory Bird Law

— Governor Scott’s Signature on H.683 Restores Important Protections for Vermont’s Migratory Birds
Environmental Groups Express Disappointment with Governor Scott’s Veto of Forest Protections
News

Environmental Groups Express Disappointment with Governor Scott’s Veto of Forest Protections

— Governor Scott’s Veto of H.926 Misses Opportunity to Protect Forests, Address Climate Change and Support Rural Communities
Tough Conversations: Race and the Environment
News

Tough Conversations: Race and the Environment

— Be prepared to be challenged, informed, and armed with tools to take action.
Great American Outdoors Act Will Benefit Birds, People, and Parks Across Vermont
News

Great American Outdoors Act Will Benefit Birds, People, and Parks Across Vermont

— With approval from Congress, the Great American Outdoors Act goes to the President to sign
Senators Push for the U.S. Department of Interior to Reverse Course on Harmful Migratory Bird Treaty Act Changes
News

Senators Push for the U.S. Department of Interior to Reverse Course on Harmful Migratory Bird Treaty Act Changes

— Senators Patrick Leahy and Bernie Sanders join a growing number of U.S. Senators calling for the U.S. Department of Interior to reverse course on its disastrous decision to roll back the long-time protections for birds under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.