Greenhill School Welcomes National Audubon Society President David Yarnold

Greenhill School is delighted to welcome David Yarnold (@david_yarnold), President and CEO of the National Audubon Society on April 20, 2017 to speak to all students in prekindergarten through twelfth grade.Yarnold, who took the helm of the National Audubon society in September 2010, has focused his efforts on aligning the dispersed network of Audubon chapters around the shared goal of conservation. Using existing paths of migratory birds as a roadmap, the Audubon has identified initiatives, including environmental restoration and legislation, to help protect birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Audubon has also implemented climate-mapping technology to anticipate the impact of climate change on birds and other species, resulting in the groundbreaking Birds and Climate Change Report, which shows how 314 species of North American birds could disappear from their current ranges by 2080 if climate change is not addressed.Yarnold is bringing his conservation message to Greenhill students in all divisions. For the Preschool and Lower School students, Yarnold will share general information about native plants and birds, encouraging students to act in ways that preserve their habitats. Using Audubon’s ZIP code-based Plants for Birds database, users could find which plants to grow to help birds adapt to disappearing habitat and a changing climate.“I am thrilled that Mr. Yarnold is coming to speak to our students,” shared Regina Yunker, Lower School science chair and first and second grade science teacher. “His visit dovetails with our curricular study of natural habitats. We teach the students that their actions have an impact on the world around them, and Mr. Yarnold’s talk will give us activities to do to at Greenhill and for students to try at home.”For the Middle and Upper School students, Yarnold will share research about climate change and the potential loss of birds, with an emphasis on the North Texas environment.“For the students in my AP Environmental Science and Science and Sustainability classes, Mr. Yarnold will provide an excellent model of leadership in conservation,” said Dr. Treavor Kendall, Upper School science department chair. “We are hoping that he will inform students about present and future opportunities in sustainability, either as a career or in a service capacity.”The National Audubon Society has two nature centers in the Dallas area, the Trinity River Audubon Center and the Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at Cedar Hill. Over the past few years, Greenhill students have visited the Trinity River Audubon Center on field trips to learn more about local environments and habitats as a part of their science studies.“Conserving the environment is a core part of our curriculum,” shared Head of School Scott Griggs. “We are always seeking opportunities to learn from experts and it is incredible to have the leader of the National Audubon Society sharing information about preserving natural resources with our students.”The Greenhill School Green Team, a committee of students, faculty members, board members and parent volunteers that is dedicated to fostering the environmental sustainability of the School, helped to organize the visit in conjunction with their recognition of Earth Day. Led by kindergarten teacher Janice LaMendola, the Green Team will also participate in Earth Day Texas, the largest Earth Day celebration in the world, with a booth demonstrating ways in which to reuse everyday items like t-shirts and coat hangers.About The National Audubon Society
The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, Audubon’s vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more at www.audubon.org and @audubonsociety.About Trinity River Audubon Center
Trinity River Audubon Center is one of Audubon’s flagship centers, opening in 2008 on the rehabbed site of a former illegal dump in south Dallas. Trinity River Audubon Center serves almost 100,000 people each year, including 25,000 students on field trips and in camp programs. Its 130 acres and 5 miles of trails offers people an opportunity to connect with nature just 10 minutes south of downtown Dallas. Learn more at trinityriver.audubon.org.