The Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge, established in 1974 as a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization to help financially support and protect the Nature Center, has hired a full-time executive director.
Haily Summerford comes to the Friends from the National Audubon Society with more than 25 years of experience in environmental education, conservation and nonprofit organizational leadership. She earned an environmental studies degree from Cornell College and an MBA from the University of Dallas in not-for-profit management.
“With her help, strategic efforts to improve recognition and raise funds will be strengthened, advancing our mission to preserve and protect this Fort Worth treasure,” Friends Board President Chris Smith said in a news release.
Summerford began her career working with overnight camps at the Fort Worth Zoo and later worked for Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in education, volunteer management and special event planning. She spent 11 years working for the City of Fort Worth in the Environmental Management Department and at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. She also served as director of public engagement for the Fort Worth ISD before joining Audubon.