Media Contacts
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Evelyn Wight
Phone: 808-537-3570
Email: ewight@tnc.org
The Nature Conservancy, Hawai‘i and Palmyra (TNC) announces that Scott Crawford of Hāna, Maui has been selected as the new Maui Nui Marine Director. Crawford comes to TNC with 30 years of experience in environmental and community work on Maui.
Crawford most recently served as the executive director of nonprofit Kīpahulu ʻOhana Inc., where he led cultural, educational and conservation efforts to sustain the traditions of Kīpahulu through its Kapahu Living Farm—a traditional wetland taro farm managed in partnership with Haleakalā National Park. Crawford also worked with Kīpahulu ʻOhana to set up and manage a certified commercial kitchen at Kalena Center for shared community use and to implement the Kīpahulu Moku Community Based Subsistence Fishing Area proposal to ensure residents and future generations can perpetuate their Hawaiian lifestyle.
“I’m thrilled to join TNC to help advance marine conservation across Maui Nui,” says Crawford. “I am inspired by our community-centered approach and look forward to working with our many partners to protect the living systems that are vital to our communities, economy and culture and to ensure our ocean-centered way of life for future generations.”
Crawford is passionate about food security and community empowerment. In addition to his work with Kīpahulu ʻOhana, he helped start the Hāna chapter of the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union and the Hāna Farmers Market, and as the chair of Ke Ao Haliʻi he was instrumental in the purchase and community-based conservation of nearly 200 acres of coastal lands in Hāna in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Land Trust. Crawford also serves on the board of Nā Mamo O Mūʻolea, a nonprofit that manages culturally and environmentally important lands and shoreline areas in East Maui through a long-term lease with the County of Maui.
“Having had the pleasure of working with Scott over the last 15 years, I am delighted that he is bringing his immense talents to TNC,” says Emily Fielding, Hawai‘i marine conservation director. “Under his leadership, we’ll continue putting communities first as we work together to restore health to our coral reefs and fisheries.”
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 76 countries and territories—37 by direct conservation impact and 39 through partners—we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.