The head of the National Parks Conservation Association plans to step down at the end of this year, the organization announced Tuesday.
Theresa Pierno, who joined the parks advocacy group in 2004 and led the organization since 2015, plans to stay on the job while the board conducts a formal search for its next leader, NPCA announced.
“After 21 years with National Parks Conservation Association — 10 of them as CEO — I have made the deeply difficult decision to step down this winter,” Pierno posted on LinkedIn.
“I am endlessly proud of the work NPCA has done to protect and strengthen our national parks,” she said in a statement the group posted on its website. She added, “I know the time is right for me to hand the reigns over to the next person who will continue this proud legacy of leading what NPCA’s founder called the ‘fearless and outspoken defender of the people’s parks.’”
