Stuart D. Strahl, Ph.D.

Vital Ground Trustee since 2006
Stuart D. Strahl, Ph.D.

With 25 years in national and international programs, Stuart is a career conservationist with deep experience in applied science, restoration ecology, public policy and not-for-profit management. He currently serves as President/ and Director of the world-famous Brookfield Zoo. From 1996-2003, Stuart was founding President/CEO of Audubon of Florida, leading Audubon into national prominence in the largest ecological restoration initiative in history, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. He gained international experience as Research Fellow and founding Director of Latin American Programs for the Wildlife Conservation Society between 1985 and 1992. Fluent in Spanish, Stuart is dedicated to converting conservation into a mainstream public issue, has broad experience in bringing together diverse interests in the U.S. and Latin America, which has resulted in preservation of over 30 million acres of wildlife habitat and over $15 billion in conservation funding. Stuart received his B.A. in Biology from Bates College, and his Ph.D. in Biology from the State University of New York at Albany. He has served on numerous boards and appointed commissions, and is a Member of the Board of Directors of the Society for Conservation Biology, the Everglades Foundation, Elective Member of the American Ornithologists’ Union and Professional Member of the Boone and Crockett Club, among others.