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Duncan MacNaughton Tapped to Lead Nature Conservancy Board

Conservancy Well-Positioned to "Usher in New Era of Conservation"

HONOLULU, HI — October 17, 2008 — Duncan MacNaughton, founding partner and chairman of The MacNaughton Group, has been elected chair of the Board of Trustees for The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i, the organization announced today.

MacNaughton, who has served on the Conservancy’s board since 1994, succeeds David Cole, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Maui Land & Pineapple Co., Inc., who chaired the Hawai‘i Board for the past four years.

“It is with great pleasure that I pass the reins of the Conservancy’s Hawai‘i program to Duncan McNaughton,” Cole said. “I have great respect for Duncan’s commitment to Hawai‘i and the thoughtful, strategic approach he brings to conservation. His knowledge and leadership will ensure the success of the Conservancy’s mission for years to come.”

MacNaughton was raised in the islands and attended Punahou School and Hawai‘i Preparatory Academy. He graduated from Colorado College and began a career in real estate development in 1967 with the Dillingham Corporation.

As chairman of The MacNaughton Group, he has been involved in developing a variety of successful Hawaii-based retail and condominium properties around the State and all Blockbuster, Starbucks, Jamba Juice and P.F. Chang locations in the islands. In addition to The Nature Conservancy, he serves on the boards of Punahou School and Hawaii Preparatory Academy.

“The Conservancy has been fortunate throughout its history to have board chairs who are deeply committed to conservation and to the overall betterment of Hawai‘i,” said Suzanne Case, the Hawai‘i Program's Executive Director. “Duncan MacNaughton continues a tradition started by Sam Cooke and carried forward by Bill Mills, Jeff Watanabe and David Cole. He will be a tremendous asset both for our organization and conservation statewide.” 

During Cole’s tenure, the Conservancy partnered with Alexander & Baldwin, Inc. to create the State’s third largest private nature preserve at spectacular Wainiha Valley on Kaua‘i; initiated fellowship programs in both forest and marine conservation to train the next generation of conservation leaders in Hawai‘i; and developed new innovative conservation tools, including remote sensing cameras to map invasive weeds on Kaua‘i, and the “Super Sucker” underwater vacuum cleaner to remove alien algae from coral reefs. In addition, the Conservancy established a research station on Palmyra Atoll where the world’s leading scientists can study climate change, disappearing coral reefs and other global threats.

“The Conservancy is well positioned to continue advancing the cause of conservation, especially during this time of uncertainty and change,” MacNaughton said. “Energy use, sustainability and climate change have become global priorities. Now more than ever, it is critical to have strong environmental leadership. The Conservancy’s proven track record of success puts us in a key position to usher in this new era of conservation.” 
 

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.