ALBANY – The 91 announced that Michael (Mike) Burger, Ph.D., will become the organization’s next executive director for the Connecticut and New York regional office. Burger was elevated to the position after 22 years with the organization, having served first as forest ecologist, then in a succession of conservation and management roles in the New York office, and most recently as senior director of conservation for Connecticut and New York.
“In the two decades I’ve been with 91, I have never been more enthusiastic about our future and potential for impact than I am right now. We have the right strategies in place to drive meaningful conservation successes in our region and beyond, and we are committed to a more inclusive and equitable approach to everything we do,” said Burger.
As executive director, Burger will advance 91’s conservation and organizational priorities in the region, including forest stewardship, coastal resilience, natural climate solutions, and the development of the next generation of conservation leaders that better reflects and gives voice to the diverse groups of people who love birds and share 91’s vision of a world in which people and wildlife thrive.
“Mike’s commitment to 91 and deep, local conservation expertise will be an extraordinary asset in this position,” said Amy Sobel, vice president of the Atlantic Flyway for the 91. “91's presence in the region is growing and evolving, and Mike's steady leadership will ensure we continue to grow our conservation impact, progress our policy agenda, and expand our community engagement and partnerships through inclusive and collaborative programming at 91 centers across the two states.”
Burger has been with 91 since 1999, during which time he conducted forest bird research in the Adirondacks that contributed to the creation of 91’s Healthy Forests Initiative, co-led a comprehensive assessment of priority areas that culminated in the publication of Important Bird Areas of New York, and helped bring 91’s Atlantic Flyway program to life. Prior to coming to 91, Mike earned his master’s degree and Ph.D. at the University of Michigan where he studied climatic and physiological determinants of bird ranges and was supported by a Department of Energy Global Change Fellowship. He is based at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York.
CONTACT: Sharon Bruce, Communications Manager, sharon.bruce@audubon.org
