Audubon Connecticut is pleased to announce that Robert LaFrance of Clinton, CT has been named as our new Policy Director. Mr. LaFrance most recently served as the Director of Law and Policy for Environmental Conservation at the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

“We are thrilled to have Robert join our Audubon Connecticut team as Policy Director. His depth of expertise, combined with a positive, bipartisan record of legislative accomplishments, will help take our work to new heights. Robert’s appointment offers an exciting opportunity to strengthen our voice in Connecticut and our work protecting birds and the places they need,” said Ana Paula Tavares, executive director of Audubon Connecticut. 

As Policy Director for Audubon Connecticut, Mr. LaFrance will leverage his broad understanding of environmental policy, law and science to advocate for our conservation priorities. Working alongside program staff and lawmakers, he will identify positive policy recommendations to combat climate change, protect our water and coast, and improve forest resiliency. 

“Audubon Connecticut is leading critically important programs and conservation initiatives statewide for birds and other wildlife. I am honored to have been selected for this high-profile position, and am excited to use my skills, education and experience to put important environmental protection policies into law,” said Mr. LaFrance.

Mr. LaFrance spent much of his career at the Connecticut State Capitol serving Commissioners Gina McCarthy, Dan Esty and Rob Klee as DEEP’s Director of Governmental Affairs. He holds a BA in Economics and Ecology from the University of Arizona (Tucson) and a JD from Quinnipiac School of Law where he is also an Adjunct Professor of Environmental Law.  He is married to Maria LaFrance and they have three children, Alison, Darcy and Kevin.

Contact: Sharon Bruce, Communications Manager, sbruce@audubon.org, 518-869-9731