Mike Zagata

Mike Zagata "is president and CEO of the Ruffed Grouse Society, which was established in 1961 and is the one international wildlife conservation organization dedicated to promoting conditions suitable for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and related wildlife to sustain our hunting tradition and outdoor heritage.

"Before joining the Ruffed Grouse Society, Zagata was commissioner (CEO) of New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation where he oversaw 4,000 employees and an operating budget in excess of $300 million. Zagata was inducted into the Offshore Energy Industry’s Hall of Fame for pioneering the Wetland Mitigation Banking and Rigs to Reefs programs, and was also recently inducted into the New York State Outdoorsman’s Hall of Fame.

"Zagata has also served as field director for The Wildlife Society, director of federal relations for the National Audubon Society and program development officer for the National Research Council’s Committee on Agriculture. In addition, he was director of environment, health and safety (EH&S) for Tenneco and vice-president of EH&S for Transco Energy, and in these capacities was awarded the National Wildlife Federation’s Whooping Crane award and the Conservation Fund’s Alexander Calder award.

"Born and raised in up-state New York, Zagata earned a doctorate in wildlife ecology from Iowa State University. He has taught and conducted research on the impact of forest harvesting on wildlife while in the School of Forest Resources at the University of Maine, Orono."

• Director, Sustainable Forestry Initiative