Streufert Steps Down as Salish Sea Expeditions Director

September 12, 2011

BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WA—Salish Sea Expeditions announced today that Stephen Streufert, its executive director for the last six years, will be leaving Salish effective November 4 to take a position with the nationally recognized organization NatureBridge.

Salish’s Board has appointed Matthew Eldridge as interim executive director while conducting a search for a new Executive Director.  Mr. Eldridge has been a member of the Salish Board since 2010 and will take a leave from the Board while serving as interim director effective November 7, 2011.

Streufert will take a senior leadership role with NatureBridge, serving as the director the campus in Olympic National Park, and leading efforts to explore expanding programs the connect youth, science and the nature in the Pacific Northwest from the organization’s Seattle office.

“Stephen’s been a great advocate for supporting science education and the health of Puget Sound, and a great representative of Salish,” said Eric Laschever, Board President.  “We appreciate his hard work and dedication to strengthening the organization during his tenure; thanks to him we’re well-poised to continue the growth and direction he set.  While we miss him we are glad to see that he will continue to contribute to environmental and science education and are pleased that someone from Salish will be helping a national leader such as NatureBridge further its mission.  We are excited to have Matt Eldridge manage the organization while Salish recruits its new executive director.  ”

“I love the work that Salish does, and there has never been a more important time for organizations like Salish to help students connect strong science and strong stewardship,” said Streufert.  “Salish is well-positioned for growth.”

Under Streufert’s leadership since 2005, the organization has doubled student participation numbers, created the Salish Sea Student Science Symposium, established an eminent Council of Advisors, launched a supporting watershed science program and solidified significant funding relationships federal and state agencies, and area foundations. 

The organization is in the process of launching a national search for its next executive director. Though timelines and processes are not finalized at press time, details can be found at www.salish.org/exdirsearch2011 .