The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Dr. Jonathan Hoekstra has been named Director of Science for The Nature Conservancy’s Washington program. He succeeds Dr. Elizabeth Gray, who is now leading the climate change science team for the Conservancy’s Africa program.

He’ll lead a team of 12 scientists working in Washington. This team is working with partner agencies across Washington to tackle the greatest conservation challenges we face.

Hoekstra has been a member of the Conservancy’s global science leadership team for seven years. Previous roles include science lead for the Conservancy’s efforts to restore the Gulf of Mexico in the aftermath of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, director of the Global Climate Change Program and director of the Global Habitat Assessment Team. He is the lead author of the Atlas of Global Conservation and more than 30 other scientific publications. He’ll continue to serve as a member of the global science leadership team while taking up his position in Washington.

“We are thrilled to have Jon join our Washington program,” said Karen Anderson, Washington director for the Conservancy. “With his great scientific knowledge, experience within the Conservancy and broad reach on national and global issues, he can lead our team of scientists to make even greater contributions to our quality of life.”

“I’m excited for this opportunity to invest more deeply in conservation and science close to home in Seattle,” Hoekstra said. “I’m looking forward to working on the front-lines of conservation, where ideas about benefits to people, climate change, and sustainable resource use are being put into practice.”

Hoekstra earned B.S. and M.S. degrees from Stanford University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Washington. He lives in Seattle.