Chris Bason ready to soar with new role at Audubon Society, headquartered in Fox Chapel

After two decades targeting the environmental health of Delaware’s three inland bays, Chris Bason is pivoting his focus to land and birds.

Bason is the new executive director of the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, headquartered at Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve in Fox Chapel.

He began the role Sept. 2, filling the shoes of longtime head Jim Bonner, who is retiring.

“I’m excited to get in there and learn more,” said Bason, who is relocating his family to the Lower Valley. “I’ve visited several times and love the forested landscape and the strong sustainability system of Pittsburgh, where so many groups are working together on green building, bird life and conservation.”

Bason earned a master’s degree in biology from East Carolina University before a 25-year career in environmental conservation. Much of that time was spent at the nonprofit Delaware Center for the Inland Bays with the mission of restoring and preserving the watershed.

He served as executive director for 10 years, overseeing a $1.1 million capital campaign, implementing public education programs and ecological restoration initiatives for shorelines, forests and oyster reefs. He also led community efforts to establish Delaware’s shellfish farming industry.

More recently, Bason gained expertise in renewable energy through a role with Orsted, a global leader in offshore wind development.

As he turns his attention to the Audubon Society, Bason said he’ll take some time to learn about the organization, listening to staff, volunteers and funders on ways he can contribute.

Founded in 1916, Audubon’s mission is to connect people to birds and nature through programs at four public facilities — Beechwood Farms, Todd Nature Reserve and Buffalo Creek Nature Park, both in Buffalo Township, and Succop Nature Park in Penn Township.

“I’d like to maintain the excellent environmental education programs and expand what we can do through the direct protection of land and bird habitat,” Bason said. “Anything we can do so people can spend more time in nature is the goal.”

Audubon’s next chapter will include participation in environmental policies at the local and state levels, if Bason has his way.

“We have a lot to offer in terms of expertise on how people benefit from spending time outdoors,” he said.

Birding, in particular, is a passion that has drawn masses in recent years.

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the number of birders has more than doubled since 2016, with about 96 million Americans engaging in birding activities.

As Bonner prepares to step down, he believes Audubon is in good hands. Bason was selected by a committee that worked with an executive search firm, Nonprofit Talent.

“Chris’ knowledge and ideas will continue to bolster ASWP’s position as the region’s leader in conservation and education regarding birds and nature,” Bonner said. “His undergraduate work in wildlife conservation and graduate work in stream water quality both support existing ASWP’s projects while opening up new opportunities to further innovate environmental stewardship in the Pittsburgh area and beyond.”

Bason’s experience and commitment to connecting people with birds and nature made him stand out during the interview process, according to Jim Pashek, board president.

“We welcome Chris to the ASWP team and look forward to utilizing his knowledge and ideas in future programs and projects that will continue to bolster ASWP’s position as the region’s leader in conservation and education regarding birds and nature,” Pashek said.

An avid fisherman, Bason said he is looking forward to getting acquainted with Pittsburgh’s three rivers. As his family prepares to relocate to the Fox Chapel area, there’s already some familiarity — his mother-in-law grew up on a farm in Mercer County, and he recently took his first backpacking trip in the Alleghenies.

“We’re excited and hoping to settle in just a few miles from work,” he said. “I love the area and am looking forward to this next step.”