RESTON, Va.. — Lifelong conservationist and outdoorsman John Robbins will lead the National Wildlife Federation’s Board of Directors. The National Wildlife Federation is the United States' largest private, nonprofit conservation education and advocacy organization, with more than 6 million members and supporters, and 52 state and territorial affiliated organizations. Robbins was elected at the Federation’s 86^th Annual Meeting and will serve for one year as Chair Elect and assume the Chair role in June 2023.

“John brings decades of management and strategic experience, along with a passion for conservation and the outdoors, to the Federation family. His leadership as Chair of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation and his service as Eastern Vice Chair of the National Wildlife Federation have been instrumental in helping advance our strategic plan and supporting our efforts to becoming a 21st century organization that prioritizes equity, justice, and conservation, including helping to launch our Safe Spaces series,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “We look forward to John’s leadership and collaboration for our crucial mission of bringing together all Americans to conserve and enjoy the outdoors.”

“I am honored to be elected chairman of the National Wildlife Federation’s Board and look forward to working with affiliates across the country as One Federation.  We must continue working to help ensure that current and future generations can enjoy the outdoors and wildlife, as well as continue our crucial work addressing the increasing challenges faced by wildlife and its habitat; and as a result, all of humanity,” Robbins said.

John has served on the Federation’s Board since 2017, and was elected Eastern Vice-Chair in 2019.  He helped develop the organization’s strategic plan in 2016-2017, and played a lead role with Mamie Parker, other board members and the Environmental Justice team in developing the Creating Safe Spaces series. John previously served as Chair of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation, and is a passionate conservationist and outdoorsperson and is passionate about fishing, paddling of all types, hiking, birds, scuba diving, and maintaining his pollinator garden.

The National Wildlife Federation also voted at its Annual Meeting to elect and re-elect a series of conservationists and affiliate members to its board. They include:

• Rebecca Pritchett: Eastern Vice Chair
• Mark Berry: Region 4 Director
• Carol Buie-Jackson: Region 3 Director
• Randy Jones: Region 2 Director
• Brad Powell: Region 10 Director
• Terri Roehrig: Region 7 Director
• Elizabeth Swisher: Region 13 Director
• Rachel Sprague: Region 12 Director
• Bri Jones-Rich: At-Large Director
• Scott Gilmore: At-Large Director
• Miguel Ordeñana: At-Large Director
• Mamie Parker: At-Large Director
• Rob Speidel: At-Large Director