May 20, 2009 -- The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Board of Directors has elected Wyoming conservationist and educator, Craig Thompson, from Rock Springs, Wyoming, as Chair of the Board, a position he will hold for two years.

“We are proud to welcome Craig as the leader of our Board of Directors,” said Larry Schweiger, president and CEO of NWF. “Craig understands the conservation challenges facing the country, and is committed to keeping our wildlife heritage alive for future generations.”

Having earned a master’s degree in environmental engineering from Stanford University, Craig has devoted his career to studying and teaching other about engineering and water quality issues. For more than two decades he has performed in-depth research on western water quality issues and Wind River Range glaciers. Now as a professor of engineering and environmental science at Western Wyoming Community College he is passing on his knowledge to the next generation of environmental scientists.

Thompson has written and co-authored several publications on runoff, water chemistry in arid lands, and provides his expertise as a consultant for companies, research organizations and government agencies.

Thompson has also been a strong advocate for better management of livestock grazing on federal lands, and has devoted years to scientifically monitoring the effects of grazing on streams in southwest Wyoming.

Thompson is a former president of the Wyoming Wildlife Federation and represented that organization as a delegate to NWF for several years.

“I am a grass roots conservationist, cutting my teeth on projects with the Sweetwater County Wildlife Association. As Chair of the NWF Board of Directors, I hope to live up to the conservation traditions of Americans who care about wildlife and wild lands. I have always embraced National Wildlife Federation’s missions of education, wildlife and climate change.”

The NWF Board oversees the organization’s administrative affairs, ensuring that it delivers on its critical conservation mission to protect wildlife for our children’s future. Founded in 1936, NWF is America’s mainstream conservation organization with more than four million members and supporters. A truly grassroots organization, NWF represents a network of 46 state and territorial affiliates that elect the board of directors and guide the organization’s national conservation policies. NWF’s conservation priorities include seeking solutions to global warming, protecting wildlife habitat, and connecting people to nature.

Contact:
Trudy Kerr, Sr. Manager, Meetings and Governance, National Wildlife Federation
703-438-6047, kerrt@nwf.org