The Pelican-- Welcome Letter from New Executive Director Diane Wong-Kone

​Dear Birding Community Friends,
​
My name is Diane Wong-Kone, and I wanted to introduce myself as the new Executive Director for Lahontan Audubon Society. I am honored to take on this role and thank you for the warm welcome I have received.

I first joined Lahontan Audubon Society over two decades ago, when I first moved to Nevada as a young wildlife biologist. Along with many LAS volunteers, I traveled the state, searching for and helping to map birds in the first Nevada Breeding Bird Atlas, which was published by the Great Basin Bird Observatory. Our birding community contributes so much toward the knowledge, conservation, and appreciation of Nevada birds, and I am honored to be a part of it.

Recently, a friend gave me a shirt that says, “Easily distracted by birds,” and I suppose that’s true! My love of birds has led me to follow a lifepath dedicated to learning and conservation. Birdwatching, guiding for field trips, teaching youth, acting as a docent in a wildlife rescue facility, monitoring birds throughout the western U.S., and being part of an ecological design team that has restored wetland habitats throughout Nevada for multiple threatened and endangered species, has given me strong connections to diverse groups of people. I bring these connections to LAS, to build our community. I believe that by working together, we can make the world a better place, for birds and for us.

Two years ago, I served as an Ameri Corps VISTA volunteer for LAS, developing new programs, fundraising, and performing the communications and operational tasks that keep our organization active. I worked closely at that point with LAS’ former Executive Director, Jennie Jones Scherbinski, and I aim to continue her hard work to promote the growth of our birding community.

I want to thank you, our members, volunteers, and supporters, who are the heart of Lahontan Audubon Society. You make our organization soar! I invite you to reach out to me if you have any questions or comments, and I look forward to meeting you at monthly meetings, on field trips, or on the trail!

For the love of birds!
​​
Diane Wong-Kone
Executive Director
Lahontan Audubon Society
[email protected]

---