Justin Proctor is the Lead of Strategic Partnerships for Virginia Working Landscapes. He coordinates the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative (VGBI), a multi-partner collaborative focused on reversing the declines of grassland birds by translating local research into locally-relevant and adoptable best management practices. Justin has helped steer VGBI since its inception in 2021, growing the team, its partnerships, and the direction of its programming to maximize the initiative’s on-the-ground conservation presence, and amplify its reach across the Mid-Atlantic. VGBI now serves as a regional model for avian conservation on rural farmland. 

Justin grew up on a hay and cattle farm in rural Western NY, where he developed a life-long affinity for working lands and the great outdoors. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science. in Marine Biology from the University of Maine at Machias, and then a Master of Science in Natural Resources from Cornell University. 

Justin would then spend the next decade working at the nexus of science, education and conservation, including interpretation with the National Park Service, underwater research with lobsters and shellfish in the Bay of Fundy, youth adventure tourism in Central America and teaching public high school science courses.

Justin’s work with birds began with coordinating a hemisphere-wide study on Tachycineta swallows, followed by an extensive research and conservation project working with the endemic, endangered Golden Swallows of Hispaniola. He went on to work for the nonprofit, BirdsCaribbean, as the Managing Editor of their peer-reviewed publication, the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology and served two terms on their Board of Directors as Vice-President. 

As a volunteer, Justin stays active in the local community through his leadership role with Front Royal’s Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability, where he focuses on greenway expansion efforts, transitioning the town to dark skies friendly lighting and overseeing the town’s annual Earth Day celebration. 

Justin’s work with birds began with coordinating a hemisphere-wide study on Tachycineta swallows, followed by an extensive research and conservation project working with the endemic, endangered Golden Swallows of Hispaniola. He went on to work for the nonprofit, BirdsCaribbean, as the Managing Editor of their peer-reviewed publication, the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology. Justin has served two terms on their Board of Directors as Vice-President. Justin currently resides in Front Royal, VA, and coordinates the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative, an effort to bring grassland bird conservation practices onto agricultural landscapes.