Nabhan's fellowship project focused on in situ conservation of plant genetic resources in the desert borderlands of the U.S. and Mexico. He built new coalitions of researchers and local peoples to better care for lands rich in unique plants. It was through such an alliance, formed with Mexican, American and Seri Indian activists and researchers on both sides of the border, that he was able to get the ironwood protected by the Mexican government. Nabhan also negotiated with the U.S. Forest Service for them to join in a memorandum of understanding with Native Seeds/SEARCH to research, plan and experimentally manage a 5,000-acre botanical area for six wild relatives of crops, including the chiltepin and 11 other rare species.
Gary Nabhan is the director of Northern Arizona University's Center for Sustainable Environments. Previously he served as Director of Science at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, where he coordinated the Forgotten Pollinators Campaign and assisted indigenous peoples with biosphere reserve plans. He is also co-founder and board chairman of Native Seeds/SEARCH, a grass-roots conservation organization dedicated to preserving and providing native seedstock and technical advice to native farmers. Nabhan has been coordinating cross-cultural teams of scientists, resource managers and businessmen/artisans in efforts to protect the traditional biological resources of the desert, which are imperiled by NAFTA and other international pressures.
EDUCATION
Ph.D., University of Arizona
1983: Arid Lands Resources, Arizona, USA
Master of Science, University of Arizona
1978: Plant Sciences, Arizona, USA
Bachelor of Arts, Prescott College
1973: Environmental Biology, USA
KEY LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
Seed Savers Exchange
Former: Vice-President
Species Survival Commission
Former: Member
KEY AWARDS & HONORS
Marine Fellow
1990: Pew Fellows Program in Conservation and the Environment
Excellence in research in a museum setting
1990: Arizona Museum Association
Southwest Book Award for Gathering the Desert
1987: Border Regional Library Association
John Burroughs Medal for Best Nature Book
1986: American Museum of Natural History
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