Kimberly Ann Check has been appointed the American Birding Association’s new Director of Young Birder Programs. Check is a lifelong birder, nonprofit leader, and youth education professional with more than two decades of experience connecting young people with science and nature.
The Director of Young Birder Programs is of critical importance to the fulfillment of the ABA’s mission to make birding better because the young birders of today will be pillars of the birding community tomorrow. Check’s impressive professional background and proven leadership capability make her an ideal match for this position. Check has worked with organizations ranging from the National Audubon Society to the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art to the U.S. National Park Service.
Most recently, she has served as the Executive Director of the Virginia Space Flight Academy, where she dramatically expanded participation, increased the budget, and managed various teams of staff and volunteers, among other achievements.
Check has deep roots in the birding and conservation worlds, having previously worked as a bird bander, led bird walks, and built youth birding initiatives from the ground up. Most importantly, Check deeply believes that birding is a pathway to conservation leadership and community building.
“I’m excited to welcome Kim to the ABA team, and I look forward to working together to chart the future of the ABA’s Young Birder Programs,” says the ABA’s Executive Director, Wayne Klockner.
The ABA’s Young Birder Programs have helped many hundreds of young birders connect with each other, improve their skills and knowledge, and shape the future of birding. The ABA is thrilled to add Kim Check to its staff and continue the ABA’s long tradition of excellence with its young birder initiatives.
