Clinton Resident Named Audubon CT Policy Director

CLINTON, CT — Clinton’s Robert LaFrance has been named the new Policy Director of Audubon Connecticut, the state program of the National Audubon Society, officials announced on Tuesday. 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,” Ana Paula Tavares, executive director of Audubon Connecticut, said in a news release. “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.”

As Policy Director for Audubon Connecticut, LaFrance will “leverage his broad understanding of environmental policy, law and science to advocate for Audubon Connecticut’s 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,” according to the news release.

“Audubon Connecticut is leading critically important programs and conservation initiatives statewide for birds and other wildlife,” LaFrance said. “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.”

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.