National Wildlife Federation Opens Chesapeake Mid-Atlantic Regional Office

(National Wildlife Federation)

To focus advocacy and education efforts in the multi-state Chesapeake watershed, National Wildlife Federation (NWF) has announced the opening of a Chesapeake Mid-Atlantic Regional Center, in Annapolis, Maryland.

The office is opening under the supervision of Anthony Caligiuri, the first Regional Executive Director. “Our top priority will be to advocate strong federal legislation to reduce global warming pollution and help wildlife survive the impacts of climate change,” said Caligiuri. He will lead a staff of wildlife and conservation experts whose work focuses on implementing plans to confront global warming, restore America’s wildlife, and connect people to nature.

The staff includes Julie Lalo, as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Representative, and Austin Kane, as policy specialist.

“Unless we address the root causes of global warming, all of us in this region will feel significant impacts -- rising sea levels, more intense storms, warmer air and water, and loss of habitats,” said Caligiuri. “NWF is committed to protecting our rich natural resources, especially in light of the increasing population and development pressures in this region.”

With a geographic focus on the Chesapeake Bay; the Appalachian forests, rivers and flyways; and the extensive shoreline and coastal bay habitats of the Mid-Atlantic, the Mid-Atlantic staff will concentrate on advocacy and education. “One of the most effective ways to encourage federal, state, and local governmental action is through networks of knowledgeable and engaged citizens,” said Caligiuri.

NWF is actively educating and mobilizing hunters, anglers, gardeners and other wildlife enthusiasts in the Mid-Atlantic to support climate action at all levels of government.

To strengthen NWF’s affiliate and grassroots networks across the region, Julie Lalo has been hired to serve as Regional Representative. She will focus on affiliates and partner organizations in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, DC.

“I am excited to work with the staff and leadership of our Virginia affiliate, Virginia Conservation Network,” said Lalo. “VCN’s network is wide, and through its powerful network, VCN truly is the voice of conservation in Virginia.”

Caligiuri comes to NWF from the office of Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD), where he served as chief of staff for 18 years. Caligiuri managed Rep. Gilchrest’s 22-member staff in five offices and served as Gilchrest’s chief advisor and public spokesman on all political, administrative and legislative matters.