Audubon North Carolina is excited to announce that Sean Bloom has joined our team as Public Lands Program Manager. In this newly created position, Sean will work with public land managers and partners to develop and implement habitat restoration and monitoring efforts throughout North Carolina. He brings 20 years of experience in collaborative conservation, including 15 years with the Catawba Lands Conservancy and Carolina Thread Trail.
Read on to learn more about Sean…
Do you have a specific memory or occasion that sparked your enthusiasm for birds and the outdoors?
I developed a love for the outdoors as a young child growing up in South Florida. My family and I often went camping near the Everglades and kayaking through the mangrove swamps along the Intracoastal Waterway. Because of that, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t enjoy being outside.
I first discovered birding as a child, watching birds visit my neighbor’s feeder while I sat beneath her orange tree and collected blue jay feathers. Later, as a freshman in college, I took a field ornithology class and quickly developed an ear for bird calls. I enjoyed the class so much that I continued taking ornithology courses for the next three years.
Describe your work with Audubon.
I work with public land managers across North Carolina, from national parks and national forests to county parks and nonprofit organizations, to improve habitat for bird species. My work includes participating in stakeholder processes, developing projects with new partners, and supporting staff on existing conservation initiatives and partnerships.
A major focus of this role is strengthening Audubon’s relationships and coordination with public land managers across the state. When I’ve tried describing my job to my kids and friends, I’ve noticed their eyes start to glaze over, so I’ve simplified it to this: I help government agencies create better habitat for birds in our parks, forests, and wildlife refuges.
What did you do before Audubon?
Before joining Audubon, I spent 15 years on the conservation team at Catawba Lands Conservancy, an accredited land trust based in Charlotte. I started as the GIS Director and eventually became Director of Strategic Initiatives, where I developed and led projects including stream restorations, dam removals, and the creation of the Catawba Grasslands Project.
My work also included monitoring and managing more than 18,000 acres of conserved land around Charlotte, conducting surveys for the endangered Schweinitz’s sunflower, and preparing biological inventories for newly protected properties. Earlier in my career, I worked as a park ranger at Boones Cave Park in Davidson County, North Carolina, and spent two years as an environmental consultant.
What is your favorite bird?
The American Kestrel is probably my favorite bird overall because of its striking coloration and its distinction as the smallest falcon in North America. I also appreciate that it depends on open grassland habitats, which are becoming increasingly rare, contributing to the species’ decline.
The Painted Bunting is another favorite because of its incredible colors. It looks more like a tropical bird than one you would expect to find in North Carolina. I also spent a summer living in Beaufort, where I was told the northernmost population of Painted Buntings existed at the time.
Finally, the Belted Kingfisher makes the list because it’s one of the few birds I would describe as handsome. I love watching it hunt by plunging into the water to catch fish and other prey.
What motivates you to get involved in conservation and environmental issues?
Initially, I got involved in conservation because I loved the outdoors and wanted a job where I could make a difference in the world while doing the things I enjoyed, like hiking and paddling. Now I have two kids and I want to ensure they have plenty of natural places to explore and enjoy today and when they get older.
What are you looking forward to most about your work with Audubon?
I’m looking forward to exploring more of North Carolina and seeing the unique natural areas across the state. Working in conservation, it really is a privilege to explore places that are usually restricted or not easy to access. I am also excited that my work is part of a large effort to protect and improve habitat at a landscape and hemispheric level. It is a real opportunity to live the maxim, “Think globally and act locally.”