Agency Leader and Wildlife Conservationist Named to Audubon International Board of Directors

Audubon International is excited to announce that longtime leader of fish and wildlife conservation, Marvin Moriarty, has joined its board of directors.

Moriarty spent nearly 40 years with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the last eight years of which were spent as the Regional Director of the FWS’ Northeast Region before retiring in 2011. Prior to leading FWS’ Northeast Region, Moriarty served as the Deputy Regional Director of the FWS’ Midwest Region for 15 years. 

“Audubon International has been a global leader in environmental education and third-party certification for over 25 years, and the addition of a lifelong conservationist and celebrated public servant like Marvin will help ensure that our organization continues to make bold strides in meeting our mission,” said Ryan Aylesworth, President & CEO of Audubon International. “Marvin understands the importance of forming voluntary partnerships and facilitating collaboration to sustainably manage natural resources and promote a strong economy. Over the course of a long and distinguished career in federal service, Marvin actively cultivated collaboration across myriad stakeholder groups, including recreationists, businesses, advocacy groups, land trusts, local governments, and state and federal agencies. As a member of the Audubon International Board of Directors, he will play a central role in a number of critical governance and support functions and help us forge valuable new partnerships that advance conservation and environmental education.”

Moriarty joined FWS in 1972 after honorably serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. The first six years of his career were spent as a biologist in the Upper Darby River Basin Studies Field Office in Pennsylvania, the Ecological Services Field Office in Maryland, and the Ecological Services Field Office located at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

In 1978, Moriarty began a 10-year stint in Washington, D.C., where he served in multiple positions, including the coastal zone management coordinator for the Division of Ecological Services and branch chief of the Ecological Services Division’s Permits and Licenses Branch. Moriarty’s duties later brought him to Atlanta, Georgia, where he assumed the position of Assistant Regional Director for Enhancement. He then returned to Washington, D.C. and served as Ecological Services Division Chief. In 1985 he was appointed the Acting Deputy Regional Director for FWS’ Mountain-Prairie Regional Headquarters in Denver, Colorado. He returned once again to Washington the following year, where he served as chief of the Office of Endangered Species and Deputy Assistant Director of Fish and Wildlife Enhancement, before becoming the Deputy Regional Director for the Midwest Region from 1988 to 2003.

After retiring from FWS, Moriarty became active with the Friends of Silvio O. Conte National Wildlife Refuge, joining the group’s Science and Stewardship Committee. In this volunteer capacity, Moriarty is helping to advance the goals of the refuge while facilitating collaboration among government agencies, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and communities throughout the entire Connecticut River Basin.

“Marvin’s experience in government and his extensive background in scientific issues relating to wildlife and ecology will be an excellent addition to the Audubon board as we work with industry and communities to encourage environmental sustainability,” said Chuck Bassett, chairman of the AI board, which elected Moriarty at a recent meeting in Orlando, Florida.

A native of Springfield, Vermont, Moriarty now resides in Amherst, Massachusetts. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from St. Joseph’s College, Philadelphia. His outside interests include photography, fishing, canoeing and canoe-building. He is also an avid cross-country and back-country skier and enjoys winter camping.

“I am delighted and honored to serve on AI’s Board of Directors because the organization’s programs, mission, and core beliefs underpin a long history of education and innovative partnerships that benefit conservation and economic development,” said Moriarty. “I look forward to working with AI to facilitate conservation through sustainable land and natural resource development while supporting strong economic growth.”