Two Pacific Birds staff retired this fall and we wish them well! Lora Leschner and J. Rubey worked for the Joint Venture for 8 and 10 years respectively and have been integral to many conservation projects in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii.
Lora Leschner
Partnership Coordinator and Grants Liaison
Lora has been with Pacific Birds since 2010, following a long career with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. She started with Pacific Birds as the Washington Coordinator, then worked as a regional Partnership Coordinator and Grants Liaison. In addition to convening partners for many years, Lora worked hard to both promote and assist with North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) and other grant programs.
As Lora says, "It was great to watch Joint Venture partners grow in numbers and capacity over the years and I am proud our their conservation accomplishments. It has been a pleasure and an honor to work with so many inspirational people dedicated to wildlife conservation."
J. Rubey
Partnership Coordinator
Rubey has been Pacific Birds' Partnership Coordinator in Hawaii since 2008. She has continually run quarterly meetings across the islands, bringing partners together to share and learn from each other. Prior to her work with Pacific Birds, she was an active partner with us in her job with the Washington State Department of Ecology.
In Rubey's words: “As a part of the Joint Venture, I am thrilled and honored to have worked with the dedicated conservation practitioners and kanaka maoli in the islands of Hawaii. There is really no place more challenging, or more rewarding, in which to contribute one’s caring efforts for the ʻaina and the diverse native ʻohana who live here. Mai koʻu puʻuwai mai, he nui na hoʻomaikaʻi, a hui hou!“ (Or, for those of us on the mainland: From my heart many blessings, until we meet again!)
We will miss Lora and Rubey and wish them the best in future endeavors!
