Media Contacts
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Jacqueline Nunes
Phone: +1 437-291-3287
Email: jacqueline.nunes@natureunited.ca
Nature United is pleased to welcome Tony Maas as our new Director of Conservation, starting on September 29. Tony brings more than 20 years of experience advancing climate action, protecting biodiversity and shaping policy to build a sustainable economy. He joins Nature United at a pivotal moment for conservation in Canada.
“Tony is joining Nature United at a time when Canada’s conservation ambitions are growing — and so is our impact,” says Hadley Archer, Executive Director of Nature United. “His leadership, policy experience and passion for nature will be instrumental as we work to scale our efforts and support Indigenous-led conservation, drive innovation and build partnerships that deliver lasting change for nature and people.”
Tony’s career has spanned leadership roles in government and civil society, most recently serving as Deputy Director of Policy in the Office of Canada’s Prime Minister, where he oversaw the federal climate, nature and clean-growth agendas. He has also held senior positions at Ecojustice and WWF-Canada, and he has been a driving force behind legislative reform and freshwater protection.
Quote: Tony Maas
Nature United is working at the heart of Canada’s most pressing environmental challenges. I’m excited to help strengthen the connections between people and nature — across ecosystems, sectors and communities — to build a more resilient and sustainable future.
Tony was drawn to Nature United’s approach to conservation, which focuses on building solutions through collaboration. He is excited to join a team known for bringing together diverse interests — from Indigenous communities and scientists to policymakers and industry leaders — to design and deliver wide-ranging solutions. Nature United’s commitment to Indigenous-led conservation was a key motivator for Tony, offering the opportunity to co-develop approaches that advance reconciliation and sustainable development while learning from generations of Indigenous knowledge.
He also recognizes Nature United’s ability to scale impact and drive systems-level change. As the Canadian affiliate of The Nature Conservancy, Nature United is part of a global network of science, innovation and partnerships, enabling the organization to accelerate progress on climate and conservation goals in Canada while contributing to global impact.
“Nature United is working at the heart of Canada’s most pressing environmental challenges,” says Tony. “I’m excited to help strengthen the connections between people and nature — across ecosystems, sectors and communities — to build a more resilient and sustainable future.”
Tony holds a Master of Environmental Studies from the University of Waterloo and a Bachelor of Environmental Science from Royal Roads University. He lives in Kitchener, Ontario, where he spends as much time as possible hiking, paddling and cycling — activities that continue to inspire his work.
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Nature United is grateful for the leadership and contributions of Jenny Brown, who has served as our Director of Conservation since our organization became a Canadian charity over a decade ago. Jenny will move into the newly created role of Strategic Advisor when Tony starts on September 29. Jenny’s new role will focus on emerging priorities that require broad expertise and deep knowledge of Nature United’s strengths and the Canadian conservation landscape, as well as regional and global impact.
Nature United was founded as a Canadian charity in 2014, building on decades of conservation in Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, our organization has field staff located across the country. Nature United supports Indigenous leadership, sustainable economic development and science and large-scale conservation, primarily in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories and Manitoba. Our organization is also working to accelerate Natural Climate Solutions at national and regional scales. To learn more, visit natureunited.ca or follow us on Linkedin, Instagram and Facebook.
We are the Canadian affiliate of The Nature Conservancy, a global conservation organization with more than a million members and a diverse team that includes more than 400 scientists. Our global organization works in more than 80 countries and territories — either directly or through partnerships — to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press.