Welcoming New Conservation Director John DeLuca to the North Carolina Flock

GARNER, NC—Audubon North Carolina is pleased to welcome John DeLuca as our new Director of Conservation. From coastal habitat protection to urban forestry campaigns, DeLuca will ensure our programs continue to build toward our ultimate goal of reversing bird population declines in the state and across the hemisphere.  

“I’m honored and excited to join the outstanding team of conservation professionals at Audubon,” said DeLuca. “I’m ready to put my knowledge and experience working with North Carolina birds to use at local and hemispheric scales.” 

DeLuca has dedicated his career to protecting North Carolina’s most iconic species and ecosystems, from the shores of Ocracoke to longleaf pine savannas to the grassy balds of our National Forests. He’s monitored American Oystercatchers on the coast, restored saltmarsh at Camp Lejeune, and collaborated with partners to establish statewide Motus tracking systems. 

“John has a long history working to protect North Carolina’s birds and habitats, including pre-existing partnerships with our coastal program and mountain chapters as well as deep experience with federal and state agency partners” said Executive Director Curtis Smalling. “We’re excited to have him join the flock.” 

DeLuca began his career at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, where he inventoried, monitored, and protected birds like Piping Plovers and Black Skimmers. He established monitoring programs for at-risk species like the Seaside Sparrow and Painted Bunting at Camp Lejeune, and incorporated ecosystem conservation into wildfire management plans with the U.S. Forest Service, among many other achievements.  

Most recently, DeLuca has worked with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to write conservation plans for State Species of Greatest Conservation Need and with private firms to develop specialized habitat restoration plans. 

DeLuca started his new position with Audubon in March. 

Media Contact: Brittany Salmons, brittany.salmons@audubon.org   

About Audubon North Carolina    

Audubon North Carolina, a state program of the National Audubon Society, has offices in Durham, Boone, Corolla, and Wilmington. Learn more at nc.audubon.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. A nonprofit conservation organization since 1905, Audubon works throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.