National Park Partners presents the 14th Annual Moccasin Bend Fall Lecture Series, sponsored by Greg A. Vital, to be held on Sept. 16, Oct. 14 and Nov. 11. The Moccasin Bend Fall Lecture Series brings thought leaders and subject matter experts to share stories and experiences related to National Parks, conservation, history, American Indian culture and much more.
This year the series will be held inside the IMAX Theater in downtown Chattanooga and kicks off this coming Monday with guest speaker Theresa Pierno, president and CEO of the National Parks Conservation Association. Ms.
Pierno will be presenting her talk, “Celebrating a Century of Advocacy: The National Parks Conservation Association Turns 100,” reflecting on the past 100 years of partnership with the National Park Service, highlighting the many achievements of this beneficial relationship and the goals of NPCA for the next 100 years.
All lectures are on Monday evenings, and are free and open to the public with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and all lectures begin at 7 p.m. More information can be found in the Our Projects section of the National Park Partners website,
npp-ccm.org.
Ms. Pierno joined National Parks Conservation Association in 2004 after a career in public service and natural resource protection, and has helped to solidify the organization's role as the voice of America's national parks.
As president and CEO of NPCA, one of her top priorities for the organization is connecting more diverse and younger people to the national parks. “For me, it’s about making sure that we have more people, diverse communities, young adults connecting with these places and understanding that national parks play a primary role in the foundation of our democracy and the future of our ecosystems. Protecting parks is protecting both of these things that are so fundamentally important to all of us,” Ms. Pierno said.
In addition, under her leadership, the organization’s strategic focus is on ensuring that as the leading advocate for national parks these places continue to be protected and have the resources and infrastructure they need to thrive in their second century.
Prior to becoming president and CEO, Ms. Pierno served as NPCA’s chief operating officer and played a role in the recruitment of staff, led the development of strategic priorities, with a focus on water and land use policy, and helped to ensure the financial health of NPCA through revised management practices and fundraising efforts. Further, in an effort to engage and inspire new park stewards and advocates, she formed NPCA’s Next Generation Advisory Council—a group of young rangers, civil servants, public land advocates, educators, students and activists with a strong desire to lead national park advocacy efforts well into the future.
Ms. Pierno is the co-founder and co-chair of America’s Great Waters Coalition, a group of 70 member organizations working together to protect and restore waters in and around the national parks that are central to the health of the ecosystem and the recreation of their visitors. Prior to joining NPCA, she served as a vice president for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Maryland executive director.