About Laurie Ann Macdonald
Laurie Macdonald is the Florida Program Director at Defenders of Wildlife where she oversees the program team in protecting and restoring Florida’s imperiled wildlife, their habitat and a statewide ecological network She has served on many species and policy work groups including the Florida Panther Technical Advisory Council (current Chair), the Florida Panther Recovery Team, Florida Manatee Recovery Team, state work groups for the Florida Black Bear and Gopher Tortoise, the Implementation Steering Committee for the State Wildlife Action Plan, and the Florida Transportation Plan 2025 Steering Committee. As a steering committee member of the Florida Forever Coalition Laurie is working to meet the needs of this rapidly developing state by advocating for reauthorization and increased funding for the Florida Forever Act, the largest state land acquisition program in the country.
Her areas of expertise include conservation biology, endangered species protection and rehabilitation, wildlife habitat preserve planning and management, grassroots organizing and public education. Laurie seeks to combine science and advocacy in her conservation work. Prior to joining Defenders, Laurie split her time between her wildlife consulting business and volunteer work with the Sierra Club and other conservation organizations. Past pro bono work included chairing the national Sierra Club Endangered Species and Habitats campaign and the Florida League of Conservation Voters.
Laurie earned her B.A. from the University of Oregon, Eugene and her M.S. in Zoology at the University of South Florida, Tampa. She has authored or coauthored scientific, policy and educational documents. She is a board member of the national Endangered Species Coalition and the Everglades Law Center.