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After nearly a decade of working to address hunger throughout the region, Maria Montaro has landed a new role — helping people connect to birds and nature.
Montaro is the new development and marketing director for Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania, headquartered in Fox Chapel.
“The fall is such a great time to be joining this organization,” said Montaro of Wilkins. “I’m looking forward to meeting new and longtime birders and nature enthusiasts over the next few months.”
Founded in 1916, Audubon is an environmental education and conservation engagement group with four public facilities in the region. They include Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve in Fox Chapel, Succop Nature Park in Butler and Todd Nature Reserve and Buffalo Creek Nature Park, both in Buffalo Township.
Montaro comes to Audubon with a deep background in fundraising and community engagement.
She previously served as the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank’s corporate and community giving manager for more than seven years.
During that time, Montaro is credited for nearly doubling the group’s volunteer support, engaging 8,900 people each year across programs to support the mission.
Montaro’s team also helped community members organize more than 400 fundraisers last year, many during the government budget shutdown.
Audubon officials said Montaro’s education, focused on community and nonprofit development, made her a standout candidate for the job. She earned a doctorate in community engagement from Point Park University, a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree in social work from Slippery Rock University.
An avid gardener, Montaro is finding that her new office space on the 130-acre Beechwood property suits her. She enjoys looking out on the wooded campus and viewing birds on the myriad feeders. Montaro said the surroundings make her eager to fuel her passion for environmental advocacy.
According to the British Ornithologists’ Union, an international science group, the global avian ecosystem is facing unprecedented ecological shifts and a newfound intersection with human and mammalian well-being. Human health and animal health are interdependent, according to the group’s website. Birds possess unique biological adaptations that could unlock major breakthroughs for human medicine.
“I’m excited to shift my focus to an organization that’s concentrating on birds and nature during a crucial time,” Montaro said.
She looks forward to diving in and learning about the abundance of programs offered. Audubon manages more than 500 acres of diverse ecosystems across four sites and hosts programs for all ages.
Up first is the holiday season Eco-Market, which features sustainable, recycled and nature-themed goods created by local artists. It is expanding to two days this year, scheduled Nov. 21-22, at Beechwood.
