Drew Rayburn, Ph.D.
Director of Conservation Science and Planning
Colorado, U.S.A.
Drew Rayburn Drew Rayburn headshot. © TNC
Areas of Expertise
Conservation Ecology, Restoration Ecology, Landscape Ecology, Climate-Smart Land Management
Biography
Drew Rayburn is the Director of Conservation Science & Planning for The Nature Conservancy in Colorado. In this role, Drew leads a diverse and creative team of ecologists and analysts who apply the best-available science to the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of conservation plans, projects, and strategies in alignment with TNC-Colorado and Western Division priorities, TNC’s ambitious 2030 Global Goals, and the associated needs of key partners, interested parties, and rightsholders.
During his career, Drew’s work has spanned disciplines including conservation ecology, restoration ecology, landscape ecology, community ecology, spatial analysis, applied climate science, and rare species protection. An overarching theme of his work has often been understanding relationships between ecological patterns and processes across spatiotemporal scales, to better inform conservation and restoration strategies. He has been privileged to have benefited from exceptional mentors and collaborators at all stages of his career, and strives to pass on what he has learned to the next generation of ecologists and conservationists.
Prior to joining TNC in 2020, Drew served as the Natural Resources Supervisor for Jefferson County Open Space, an independent consulting ecologist, a restoration ecologist and the Director of Science for the nonprofit River Partners, and as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of California-Davis. He earned a B.A. in Biology from Austin College, a M.S. in Ecology from Iowa State University, and a Ph.D. in Ecology from Utah State University. Drew is a Certified Ecologist Restoration Practitioner through the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER), and a Certified Senior Ecologist through the Ecological Society of America (ESA).
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