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DURHAM, NC—Curtis Smalling has dedicated his career to protecting North Carolina’s birds, starting with surveys for Golden-winged Warblers near his hometown in Boone and working his way up to leading the organization’s conservation work across the state. Now, he is taking the reins as Audubon North Carolina’s next executive director.

National Audubon leadership made the announcement after a nationwide search, during which Smalling served as interim executive director.

In his new role, Smalling will lead all aspects of Audubon’s conservation and advocacy work in the state and guide the implementation of the organization’s new strategic vision, known as Flight Plan, aimed at reversing hemispheric bird population declines.

Smalling was instrumental in creating Audubon’s Bird Friendly Communities program over a decade ago. He has spent years working with landowners to develop bird-friendly habitat across the state. And most recently, Smalling led the development and launch of Audubon’s first Urban Forestry program.

“North Carolina is blessed with amazing birds, and they would be a lot worse off without the work of our dedicated chapters and staff,” Smalling said. “I look forward to continuing to support all of their on-the-ground conservation and advocacy efforts.”

Smalling is a member of several conservation committees including the International Golden-winged Warbler working group (including working on this species and others on their wintering grounds in Nicaragua), chair of the NC State Scientific Council Bird Committee, and a member of the steering committee for the North Carolina Bird Atlas.

Curtis graduated magna cum laude from Appalachian State University, where he also received a Master of Arts in Appalachian Studies. A Boone resident since childhood, Curtis brings his love for the culture and community of North Carolina to his conservation work.