MARK PETERSON was appointed Executive Director of Minnesota Audubon in April 2005. His career in conservation spans more than 25 years. Mark holds degrees in environmental education (B.S.) and environmental journalism (M.S.) from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He earned a Ph.D. at Colorado State University in wildland management, studying land stewardship and the human dimensions of natural resource management. Mark’s dissertation focused on protecting habitat for whooping cranes and other migratory species along the Platte River. Mark combines this academic foundation with extensive experience in the non-profit sector, most recently as a Director with the National Parks Conservation Association. Before that, Mark served as Executive Director of the Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute at Northland College working to advance the legacy of Minnesota’s foremost conservationist. There he led advocacy efforts in the Lake Superior bioregion and founded the Apostle Island School, Minnesota LoonWatch and the Timber Wolf Alliance, programs that continue today. Mark lives with his family near White Bear Lake enjoying sailing, kayaking, skiing and camping.

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