Emily Clark recently announced her departure from her role as the Sonoran Joint Venture’s Communications and Partnerships Specialist. On behalf of the Sonoran Joint Venture, I want to thank Emily for her hard work and dedication over the last seven years. While I’m sad for our partnership’s loss, I’m thrilled for Emily, who has found an opportunity to get back to working as an ecologist, which has always been her plan. Emily’s contributions will be missed tremendously, although we look forward to finding opportunities to collaborate in her new role. Her contributions to the SJV are innumerable, but highlights include:
- Strengthening the SJV eBulletin and sharing the excellent work of our partners through the eBulletin, social media, and other channels.
- Launching and managing the Borderlands Avian Data Center, the first bilingual portal of the Avian Knowledge Network.
- Developing a pilot training program for agency land stewards to help them consider the needs of birds when undertaking management planning and activities.
- Amplifying the need to address the threat to birds and other wildlife created by open pipes and collating, revising, and sharing resources for partners to act.
- Increasing accessibility of the SJV website, eBulletin, and social media by ensuring content works with screen readers.
- Building and supporting coordination for documentation and analysis of Double-crested Cormorant monitoring data in northwest Mexico.
- Supporting youth engagement in bird conservation in Tucson.
We wish Emily the very best of luck in her future endeavors.
Jennie Duberstein, SJV Coordinator
A few words from Emily:
It has been a pleasure to work with and get to know so many of you during my time with the SJV. From our incredible partners to our supportive board members, I have learned so much and continue to be amazed at the devotion of our community not only to conserving birds but making the world a better and more equitable place for all. I will be leaving the SJV in February to pursue an opportunity with my first love, shorebirds. I will be joining the team at Sageland Collaborative as an Avian Ecologist working on shorebird conservation and community engagement. I will still mainly be based in Tucson, and plan to remain involved with this amazing network. Thank you all for this experience. Starting on February 20, 2024, you will be able to reach me at emily@sagelandcollaborative.org.