The Nature Conservancy Announces New Leadership in Georgia

Following nearly 20 years of service, Georgia State Director Tavia McCuean passes the conservation torch to native conservationist Shelly Lakly

ATLANTA— November 28, 2007— The Nature Conservancy in Georgia announced today the appointment of Michelle (Shelly) Lakly, Ph.D., to the position of state director for the Georgia program. Lakly’s appointment follows a decision by Tavia McCuean to retire from the post after nearly two decades of leadership.

A native Georgian, Lakly comes to The Nature Conservancy from Zoo Atlanta where she was the vice president of education and conservation programs.

“Dr. Lakly represents an unusual combination of a strong science background, outstanding communication skills and a demonstrated commitment to conservation,” said Dwight Mathews, chair of The Nature Conservancy’s Georgia Board of Trustees. “A strong proponent for conservation in Georgia, Lakly will continue the Conservancy’s long-term goal of applying sound science to protect and sustain Georgia’s wildlands for generations to come.”

At Zoo Atlanta, Lakly administered the $11 million Panda Conservation Program in China and designed and implemented a national conservation training program for Chinese zoos. She also directed seven interdepartmental teams responsible for education and conservation programs, fundraising, and marketing. Currently, Lakly serves as chair of the Conservation Education Committee for the national Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

“Shelly Lakly will be a great addition to the Conservancy’s team in the Southern U.S.,” said Bob Bendick, The Nature Conservancy’s director for the Southern U.S. region. “Her scientific background in aquatic ecology is particularly relevant to addressing threats to human and natural communities from a changing climate. The future of our strong Georgia Chapter is very important to the Conservancy. We feel fortunate to have attracted Dr. Lakly as chapter director.”

Prior to her position at Zoo Atlanta, Lakly was a research scientist at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory where she specialized in stream restoration and recovery. A three-time graduate of the University of Georgia, Lakly earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s and doctoral degrees in ecology.

“The diverse natural environments of Georgia are facing many challenges, and The Nature Conservancy is an established leader in striving to ensure the plants and animals across the state will be protected for generations to come,” said Lakly. “I am honored to join the talented staff and dedicated supporters who have worked towards this ambitious and imperative goal for decades. I am excited to lead the Georgia program of The Nature Conservancy towards this meaningful endeavor and am honored to play a role in protecting the natural heritage of my home state.”

Leaving a Conservation Legacy
Lakly succeeds Tavia McCuean, who has led The Nature Conservancy’s Georgia program since its formal inception in 1988. McCuean leaves behind a conservation legacy unlike any other in Georgia.

“Tavia has built The Nature Conservancy’s Georgia program from the ground up, turning it into a model for strategic conservation success,” said Bendick. “Through her leadership, Tavia made tremendous strides for conservation in Georgia…her legacy will endure for generations to come.”

“The Nature Conservancy has been my professional home for almost two decades. The staff, donors and partners I have worked with through the years are unwavering in their dedication to conservation, and I am proud to have known and worked with each of them,” said McCuean. “I am confident in the expertise of our staff and the commitment of the incoming state director and feel secure in knowing that The Nature Conservancy will endure as a conservation leader in Georgia and beyond.”

Under McCuean’s guidance, The Nature Conservancy has protected more than 265,000 acres of Georgia’s most environmentally sensitive land, including the largest land conservation agreement in Georgia history. Her strategic approach to conservation earned the Conservancy a formal recognition from Governor Sonny Perdue in 2006 for continued work with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, which resulted in a savings of more than $4.8 million for Georgia taxpayers in 2005 alone.

Photo Credit: © Jason Crawley
(Top) Shelly Lakly; (bottom, from left) Dwight Mathews, Shelly Lakly, Tavia McCuean, Bob Bendick

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. To date, the Conservancy and its more than one million members have been responsible for the protection of more than 15 million acres in the United States and have helped preserve more than 102 million acres in Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Pacific. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.