May 28th, 2008 was a momentous day for the Rainforest Biodiversity Group as the founder and long-time leader of the organization, Andrew Rothman, officially stepped down as President. Taking the reigns as President is Holly Robertson, a volunteer and supporter of RBG since the fall of 2006. Holly also works for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) as the Rules and Regulations Assistant for the Bureau of Wildlife Management. Holly is originally from Maryland and has worked all over the United States as well as Canada. She brings a life long passion for conservation and is focused on capacity building for RBG in order to make the organization more effective in its efforts in Costa Rica and Central America.
Holly is not the only new face to the organization. There was a need for more active members of the board, and the organization was able to get two more active volunteers to step up and take on more responsibilities for the organization. Dan Schneider, also of the WI- DNR, was one of the first volunteers RBG, then Friends of the Great Green Macaw, at Finca El Retorno back in 2002. He has maintained communication with the organization and was instrumental in organizing the Spring Bird-a-thon for the past two years. Dan will be taking over as Treasurer.
Rebecca Osborn will be the new Secretary of RBG. She too has a history that connects back to Costa Rica. She spent some time with Jack Ewing at Hacienda Barru on the Pacific coast near the town of Dominical. Rebecca rounds out the WI-DNR / RBG connection as Rebecca manages the WI- DNR Chronic Wasting Disease Lab.
Although Andrew was stepping down as President in order to pursue his new career at the Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center, he still will be involved with the organization in the newly created role of Past President. Andrew will still have a voting say, and will continue to support RBG with his wealth of knowledge.
