Dr. Steve Adair named Ducks Unlimited chief scientist

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - March 8, 2021 - Ducks Unlimited recently announced that Steve Adair, Ph.D., has been named Ducks Unlimited (DU) chief scientist after Dr. Tom Moorman&squo;s retirement.

Adair will assume the role as DU&squo;s leader on waterfowl and habitat science, providing vison and direction for DU&squo;s science needs throughout North America and maintaining DU&squo;s standing as a scientific authority in wetlands and waterfowl conservation.

"I am so excited that Dr. Adair will be leading DU&squo;s science efforts,&dquo; said DU Chief Conservation Officer Karen Waldrop. "He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Chief Scientist position, and our strong science program will continue to thrive under his leadership. Because of Steve&squo;s diverse science background, he will be able to expand the science program to further benefit waterfowl and wetlands.&dquo;

Adair will speak for DU on wetlands habitat management and waterfowl biology at the national and international levels. Among the topics included are the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and North American Bird Conservation Initiative.

A longtime Ducks Unlimited wetlands biologist, Adair was most recently DU&squo;s National Director of Conservation Strategy. Adair also served as Great Plains Region (GPR) director of operations in Bismarck, N.D., for many years. His contributions to waterfowl biology and conservation planning are well known in the field.

"I am honored to follow in the footsteps of our past chief scientists and maintain DU&squo;s strong tradition of scientific leadership in waterfowl biology,&dquo; Adair said. "I look forward to broadening our expertise in the ecosystem services of the landscapes we conserve, as well as increasing our understanding of how people value the many aspects of our conservation work. DU&squo;s commitment to a strong science foundation makes us an effective, efficient and trusted partner and supports the organization&squo;s success in conservation delivery, fundraising and public policy.&dquo;

Adair received a bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of Texas at Austin, his master&squo;s degree in wildlife and fisheries sciences from Texas AM University and his doctorate in wildlife ecology from Utah State University.

Adair will remain working from the GPR offices, a testament to DU&squo;s ongoing focus on the Prairie Pothole Region.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved 15 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org.