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Mass Audubon Director of Education Receives National Fellowship

Gloria Villegas-Cardoza, director of education for Mass Audubon, is the recipient of a new national fellowship designed to advance the work of individuals with outstanding potential to help shape a brighter environmental future.

Villegas-Cardoza is one of only 40 people selected from across the nation for the TogetherGreen Conservation Leadership Program, part of a new conservation initiative of the National Audubon Society and Toyota. Fellows receive specialized training in conservation planning and execution, the chance to work with gifted conservation professionals, and assistance with outreach and evaluation. Each Fellow will also receive funding for a community-focused project to engage local residents in conserving land, water and energy, and contribute to greater environmental health. 

Villegas-Cardoza will focus on establishing long-lasting partnerships to continue Mass Audubon's efforts in building urban environmental communities. Her TogetherGreen project will be centered in Lawrence, Massachusetts. By creating alliances with community-based organizations in the city and assisting them to develop environmental educational programs, Villegas-Cardoza will support professional development trainings, service learning, and citizen-science projects created for community members by community members that focus on environmental issues that are critical to them. Residents, who might never have considered themselves conservationists, will be encouraged to learn, create and protect—making this urban area a better place for habitat, wildlife, and humans alike.

"Mass Audubon is delighted that Gloria has received this prestigious honor," said Mass Audubon President Laura Johnson. "This recognition of Gloria's leadership in urban environmental education is richly deserved and reflects Mass Audubon's commitment to working in urban areas."

Villegas-Cardoza, affiliated with Mass Audubon since 1999, has been involved in science, education, and conservation efforts for more than three decades. She is a dedicated environmental educator, previously working as the education manager for the Boston Nature Center, Mass Audubon's presence in that city, and as a volunteer educator for the Museum of Science in Boston. In her native Venezuela, Villegas-Cardoza was the executive director at the Center for Scientific studies (CEC-Caracas)  and founder member of Pro-Ciencia Foundation, organizations dedicated to research and education.

"I am thankful and proud of my selection as a Conservation Fellow for the TogetherGreen Leadership Program," said Villegas-Cardoza. "This opportunity will allow me to continue growing as a conservation leader and broaden my impact in Massachusetts urban communities. As an environmental educator, I believe that all people can make difference in the world if opportunities to learn and act are given to them. More than ever, our conservation efforts for all people and wildlife need  to be focused on inspiring others, coaching them and working hard together to change behaviors."

Villegas-Cardoza received a Masters and DEA degree in Latin America Studies with a concentration in science, technology and education from Sorbonne University in France, and a Bachelors degree in Biology with a concentration in animal eco-physiology and behavior from the Universidad Central de Venezuela. In the US, she attended graduate programs at Lesley University.

In addition to her duties at Mass Audubon, Villegas-Cardoza sits on the board of the Audubon Expedition Institute at Lesley University and the Latino After-School Initiative. She has published a number of articles in both scientific and education journals, including Behaviour.

View a complete list of the 2008 TogetherGreen fellows.

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Mass Audubon works to protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife. Together with more than 100,000 members, we care for 34,000 acres of conservation land, provide educational programs for 200,000 children and adults annually, and advocate for sound environmental policies at local, state, and federal levels. Mass Audubon's mission and actions have expanded since our beginning in 1896 when our founders set out to stop the slaughter of birds for use on women's fashions. Today we are the largest conservation organization in New England. Our statewide network of 47 wildlife sanctuaries welcomes visitors of all ages and serves as the base for our conservation, education, and advocacy work. To support these important efforts, call 800-AUDUBON (283-8266) or visit www.massaudubon.org.