FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2004
Contact: Lisa M. Green (802) 457-2779, ext. 107, lgreen@vinsweb.org

VINS APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO LEAD VINS THROUGH MAJOR GROWTH

Woodstock, VT - Jason Drebitko, who joined the VINS staff in October of 2003 to lead the VINS Nature Center Project, has been appointed the new Executive Director at VINS effective July 1^st.

The Board of Trustees believe Mr. Drebitko’s enthusiasm for environmental issues and education, along with his experience in non-profit management, facility and business planning for visitor attractions, and tourism development, are a perfect match for VINS as they complete Phase I and enter Phase II of their plans for a world class environmental educational campus at the VINS Nature Center in Quechee.

Before coming to VINS, Mr. Drebitko was a senior associate at Boston-based consulting firm, ConsultEcon, Inc., where his work included general management and economic consulting for visitor attractions, and preparing feasibility studies and business plans for new and existing institutions. A sample of his past clients includes: The National Park Service, NOAA’s (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Marine Sanctuary Program, The Monterey Bay Aquarium, The Wildlife Conservation Society, and The National Aviary.

Mr. Drebitko’s most recent consulting work included a three-month consultancy for the Duchess of Northumberland’s Alnwick Garden Project in Northumberland, England. His work at The Alnwick Garden included: commissioning and review of economic impact and market studies, business planning and capital budgeting for the $80 million project, product positioning, mission and vision review, general management, and organizational and strategic planning. Closer to home, he worked with the Seacoast Science Center in Rye, New Hampshire; the Barre Granite Center in Barre, Vermont; and the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks in Tupper Lake, New York. “The consulting business has pros and cons,” relates Drebitko. “The good things are you get to travel, meet interesting people, and be exposed to many different projects. The bad thing is you do not have an opportunity to see a project through all its phases—from beginning to end. I’m very much looking forward to seeing a project through to completion here at VINS—the VINS Nature Center in Quechee.”

Drebitko’s academic background includes a Master of Environmental Management Degree from Yale’s School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and a Master of Education Degree from Harvard University.

Since his arrival last fall, Drebitko has been intimately involved with all aspects of the VINS Nature Center. “It is our hope that this site can become the lightening rod for environmental conservation activities in the state, as we host small conferences and become a venue for other environmental organizations to come together to dialogue on issues of importance for both Vermont and New England.”

The Board of Trustees at VINS believe that Drebitko has what it takes to successfully lead VINS through its next growth phase. “Having someone with Jason’s talents and experience at the helm at VINS at this critical time is just what we need to realize the promise of the new VINS Nature Center—to become a beacon for environmental preservation and conservation through education, not only here in Vermont, but throughout New England and the nation.” quotes David Laughlin, trustee and founder of VINS.

“VINS began in 1972 connecting children and their parents and teachers to nature through the ELF program. Looking, discovering, wondering, questioning and finding out—this is how VINS has touched so many tens of thousands of people. By participating in our educational programs or by volunteering as wildlife monitors, animal caregivers, or as educators, VINS helps people make a difference in our natural world. Imagine what our world would be like if we could multiply the number of people we could reach. That is the promise of the VINS Nature Center.” says Jenepher Lingelbach, President of the VINS Board of Trustees.

The Vermont Institute of Natural Science is a non-profit, member-supported organization headquartered in Woodstock, Vermont, with regional offices in Montpelier, Manchester, and Quechee. VINS’ educational programs serve more than 20,000 adults and 35,000 students each year. They have long been a leading research center for the study of migratory songbirds, common loons, peregrine falcons, and other threatened or endangered species. VINS’ wildlife services department has treated and released thousands of injured wild birds of all species since their inception in 1972. For more information, please visit their website at www.vinsweb.org or contact them at (802) 457-2779.