After an extensive search, ABA is excited to announce the appointment of Wayne Klockner as Executive Director. Wayne joins the ABA with an impressive history of nonprofit leadership experience in the conservation field, including a 38-year career with The Nature Conservancy. We are excited for Wayne to bring his lifelong passion for birding, deep experience in leading positive change and his excitement to roll up his sleeves and work with the Board and staff to our organization to build a better ABA. 

Wayne lives in Ocean City, Maryland, the state where he began his conservation career after graduating from Rutgers University with a degree in biology and environmental planning.

Wayne launched his career with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Maryland, where he

established a landowner outreach program and oversaw the stewardship of TNC properties in MD. Later, Wayne managed TNC’s state and country programs in Maryland, Central/Western New York, Indonesia, and Massachusetts. His efforts and partnerships led to the conservation of thousands of acres of natural areas, the successful restoration of freshwater rivers and streams, and the restoration of commercial fisheries and shell fisheries. Wayne also led early planning efforts to define TNC’s global climate strategy. Prior to TNC, Wayne was a field biologist for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources surveying natural areas and assessing the impacts of development on coastal wetlands. Wayne has deep experience raising funds for environmental causes, managing teams to achieve measurable conservation results, and advocating for sustainable use of natural resources. He has also supported community-based efforts to improve urban environments for both birds and people. 

Wayne has been a lifelong birder; the Dark-eyed Junco was his spark bird back in New Jersey, his home state. Through ABA, Wayne hopes to connect more people to birds and the thrill of birding while also inspiring them to become conservation advocates. Wayne will be joining the ABA in August – please join us in welcoming him!