The community is invited to meet Ted Scherff, the new director of the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center (TRSAC) during Nature at Night on Thursday, Aug. 12 from 7 to 9 p.m. His appointment was announced by Audubon New York on Aug. 5, after a nationwide search.
Ted Scherff is a dedicated conservationist and environmental educator and will be helping to continue to expand Audubon’s education efforts to connect thousands of Long Island residents and schoolchildren to the wonders of nature.
“From the earliest days of my conservation career I have admired the National Audubon Society as a world leader connecting people with their natural environment. I am honored to serve Audubon New York and the citizenry of Long Island under the banner of America’s conservation president, Theodore Roosevelt,” said Director Scherff.
“We are excited to launch a new decade of conservation action on Long Island with Ted Scherff leading our flagship Audubon Center in the state,” said Albert E. Caccese, executive director of Audubon New York. “His experience in, and enthusiasm for, environmental education and nature center management makes him the perfect fit for our conservation initiatives at the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center. We look forward to greatly expanding our efforts to connect people to nature and to protect birds, other wildlife and the habitats that support them on Long Island with Ted at the helm.”
Prior to taking the reins at TRSAC, Mr. Scherff had 30 years professional experience in natural resource stewardship, environmental education and public land administration; including 15 years experience in nature center administration and nonprofit volunteer organization management; and 13 years experience in community-based conservation. Most recently he worked as park manager, in the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation at Winchester Lake State Park, where he provided team-oriented leadership and management and led his staff in a creative approach to implement: environmental education, visitor services, natural/cultural resource stewardship, public relations and presentations, community-wide special events, volunteer services, and varied multi-organizational collaborative endeavors.
“The Board is so pleased and excited that Ted is taking the reins at the Sanctuary. His vast experience in park and preserve management, environmental education and conservation, together with his passion for our natural world will help guide him in adding another chapter to the Sanctuary’s long history,” said Ralph Fumante, chair of the TRSAC Advisory Board.
“His degree in Applied Science with majors in Wildlife Management, and Nature Interpretation; and studies in Ecosystem Management will be an enormous asset to the Sanctuary and our community. Ted’s dedication to community service and past civic accomplishments in Idaho and Ohio will no doubt be a great benefit to the Oyster Bay community. I encourage everyone to stop by the sanctuary and say hello,” added Mr. Fumante.
Nature at Night on August 12 features the nature center staff as they showcase nocturnal animals, take a night hike and finish the evening with S’mores!
We are happy to add our voice in welcoming Mr. Scherff to Oyster Bay and hope we see him at many events in Oyster Bay: that he will become a familiar face in the hamlet.
