July 14, 2005

For Immediate Release

Contact: Heather Siano
203.259.6305 ext.103 or Bob Martinez 203.259.6305 ext. 101

Connecticut Audubon Society Welcomes New Director of Shoreline Education

July 14, 2005 -- Connecticut Audubon Society welcomes Frank Gallo as the new Director of Shoreline Education, based at CAS’ Coastal Center at Milford Point. As Director of Shoreline Education, Frank will be responsible for executing existing programs and developing new programs for teens and adults.

“I am excited to be part of a state-wide organization that is poised for growth and is focused on birds as a basis for environmental research and programming,” Frank said, “As an avid birder, I am enjoying my new “office” at Milford Point, considered to be one of the premiere birding sites in Connecticut.”

Frank joined the New Canaan Nature Center as the Director of Public Programs/ Naturalist in 1990 where he taught public programs and lead eco-tours. In 2000, he became the Center's Director of Eco-Travel and Field Studies. For seven years prior to working for NCNC he was a Ranger/Naturalist with the New Haven Parks Department. He was also a resident naturalist and field researcher at the Tambopata Nature Reserve in Peru. An avid birder, he has led and participated in birding expeditions throughout North America and other parts of the world. Since 1993, Frank's tour leading has taken him as far as New Zealand and South Africa, Peru, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago and Europe, including two visits to Spain. He is currently a member of the Avian Rare Records Committee of CT, is federally licensed as a master bird bander and is a past President of the New Haven Bird Club. He is also captain of Bushnell's Connecticut Audubon Society World Series of Birding Team.

A master bird bander, one of Frank’s goals is to “expand CAS’ existing banding program by coordinating research oriented programs with high school and college students.”

Frank holds a bachelor's degree in Biology with a specialization in Ornithology from Southern Connecticut State University and is the author of two children's books, Bird Calls and Night Sounds. He is currently working on a Bird Finding Guide to Connecticut and Rhode Island for Pequot Press.

Frank is a published freelance photographer and lecturer. In 2003, he received the Connecticut Outdoor Environmental Education Association's Outdoor Environmental Educator of the Year Award. Frank is also a certified Wilderness First Responder and flat-water canoe instructor. He resides in New Canaan.

“CAS is thrilled to welcome Frank to our team,” said Bob Martinez, “His expertise in birding, extensive background in EcoTravel and his ideas to expand our programming to reach middle, high school and college age students will be key in assuring our organization continues to grow as the largest environmental education organization in the state.”

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