He's a bird watcher and a teacher. His enthusiasm for field conservation is only surpassed by his zeal for inspiring others to become involved in protecting nature.

This passion for wildlife is a natural for Tony Vecchio. He's director of the Oregon Zoo, a man whose career has been devoted to the care and protection of animals. And now, he extends his focus on the natural world to his newest post: Wildlands Project Board of Directors Member.

Board president Mary Granskou says, We are thrilled to have Tony on our leadership team as we reach out to new partners with new audiences.

Looking forward to his new role, Vecchio comments, I think I can be a link between Wildlands Project and zoos. The 150 million annual zoo visitors are an incredible potential force for change. But, also, the marketing, public relations, fundraising, and education expertise that already exists in zoos could be a great asset for this organization. The most inspiring thing to me about the Wildlands Project message is that, after years of telling people that the world is falling apart and that they need to stop this and quit doing that, the Wildlands Project offers a positive vision of what the world could and should look like. So, I see it as working for something positive rather than against something negative.

Vecchio earned a bachelors degree in Environmental Resource Management/Wildlife Conservation from Penn State in 1977 and a masters degree in Biology from University of South Carolina where he completed his thesis on primate social behavior.

On his way up to zoo director status, he has held numerous positions caring for a wide variety of animals. Vecchio has been active in the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and furthering the conservation role of zoos.

Executive Director of the Wildlands Project, Margo McKnight concludes, The Oregon Zoo is heavily involved in returning condors back to the skies of the Oregon Coast. This is one of many conservation programs to which his zoo is committed. This would not be happening without Tony at the helm. Were thrilled hes carved out time to help our organization forge ahead with implementation of our vision.

Vecchio and his wife Trish have two children, Ben, 16, and Anna, 14, as well as two dogs and two cats.