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Agroecology
Written by:
barreladmin
Feb 19, 2025
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Duke Farms is thrilled to welcome Hila Shamon, Ph.D., as our new Deputy Executive Director of Science and Conservation. In this role, Hila will lead efforts to enhance biodiversity, implement natural climate solutions, and advance applied research to further the restoration of nature at Duke Farms. Her work will support the Doris Duke Foundation’s integrated efforts to advance ideas that foster a creative, equitable, and sustainable future.
With over 18 years of experience, Hila is a seasoned leader in place-based conservation, restoration, and rewilding initiatives. Her extensive work has focused on the impact of land use, land cover changes, and climate change on ecosystems, making her a transformative addition to our team. Before joining Duke Farms, Hila directed the Smithsonian’s Great Plains Science Program at the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, where she designed and led interdisciplinary research on species recovery, large-scale grassland conservation, and applied ecology.
Prior to that, she was the Lead Quantitative Ecologist for Israel's National Ecosystem Assessment Program (HaMaarag), where she developed and implemented long-term ecological monitoring frameworks to assess biodiversity trends in relation to environmental change and anthropogenic impacts. Previously, she worked as an Ecologist at the Rothschild Foundation’s Ramat Hanadiv Nature Park, focusing on habitat management, species conservation, and ecological research to inform sustainable land stewardship.
Hila holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Zoology from Tel Aviv University and a B.Sc. in Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences from Tel Hai College, Israel. She has held faculty affiliations with George Mason University, Clemson University, and Montana State University, mentoring graduate students and contributing to education.
An engaging communicator of scientific insights, Hila has shared her expertise with diverse audiences through prominent platforms such as PBS, the BBC, and the Smithsonian. Her extensive body of work includes over thirty peer-reviewed papers on topics like the impacts of climate change on mammal communities and the diversity of grassland birds, reflecting her passion for using science to inform, educate, and inspire.
Hila is excited to bring her science-driven conservation vision to Duke Farms, where she will lead efforts to restore ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and implement sustainable land and wildlife management strategies that serve as a model for conservation in a changing world.
February 19, 2025
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