Nemours Wildlife Foundation has announced the appointment of Andrew S. Bridges, Ph.D., as the organization’s new president and chief executive officer.

“For 22 years, Nemours Wildlife Foundation benefitted from the service of the recently retired, Dr. Ernie Wiggers. His vision and tenacity helped fashion Nemours into a dynamic and important wildlife conservation and environmental education organization,” remarked Michael G. McShane, board chair, Nemours Wildlife Foundation. “We’re excited to welcome and support Dr. Bridges in his leadership of Nemours and our efforts to effectively address the emerging slate of environmental challenges facing our region.”

Nemours Wildlife Foundation is at an important inflection point in its evolution as a science-based conservation research and education organization.   Dr. Bridges will enhance and deepen a regional, national, and international network of sustainable partnerships with nonprofits, universities, state and federal agencies, corporations, foundations, public policy leaders and individual donors.

Dr. Bridges received his Ph.D. in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences from Virginia Polytechnic Institute, his M.Sc. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science State from Texas A&M University.  For more than 20 years as a wildlife conservation and management research scientist focusing on projects throughout North America, Dr. Bridges has led interdisciplinary teams to achieve lasting gains for wildlife conservation. In addition to facilitation and planning skills, Dr. Bridges brings real-world fieldwork, science, and project management experience to his teams and projects.

“Nemours Wildlife Foundation has a strong reputation for delivering meaningful research and engaging young professionals,” commented Andrew S. Bridges, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer, Nemours Wildlife Foundation. “The opportunity to lead this organization and to honor Mr. duPont’s legacy is a dream come true.”

As director of conservation planning for Ducks Unlimited, Dr. Dale James has worked closely with Dr. Bridges since they were Fellows together at the Welder Wildlife Foundation in Texas.  “Dr. Bridges and I have been colleagues and friends for nearly 25 years and we have enjoyed a close working relationship built on common vision to elevate wildlife research and education.  He’s an inspiring leader and dedicated professional.  I look forward to our continued collaboration in his role at Nemours.”

About Nemours Wildlife Foundation

The Nemours Wildlife Foundation was established by the late Eugene duPont, III and his family in 1995.  The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public, non-profit organization housed on nearly 10,000-acre Nemours Plantation in northern Beaufort County, South Carolina.  Nemours contains a rich diversity of habitats including remnant rice fields, fresh and brackish water marshes, upland pine and hardwood forests, bottomland hardwoods, and cypress/tupelo forests.  The plantation lies within the Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto (ACE) River Basin which consists of 1 million acres of diverse habitat and represents one of the largest undeveloped estuaries in the East Coast. It is listed by The Nature Conservancy as “one of the last great places.”  The Foundation’s setting in this incredibly diverse natural landscape provides unmatched opportunities for conducting scientific and numerous educational programs.