Past executive director retires from DDWS
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) and J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge bid farewell this month to Birgie Miller Gresham, who has served the DDWS for 14 years — first as executive director for nearly 12 years and, most recently, senior philanthropic director.
“We wish all the best to Birgie and are happy to see her move her life in a new direction in New York State,” Supervisory Refuge Ranger Toni Westland said. “At the same time, we are so sad she is leaving our team, which she has taken to new levels since the day she started in 2010.”
During her tenure as executive director, Miller Gresham grew the DDWS from two staffers to seven full-time employees, an internship program, and other part-timers and contract employees.
The refuge has seen leaps and bounds, such as the addition of nearly 160 acres of land and numerous new exhibits and programs, including the acquisition of the Woodring Homestead, award-winning Learning Lavatories and Wildlife on Wheels (WoW) mobile classroom.
“As the executive director, Birgie’s hard work and creative thinking led DDWS to the vibrant and growing operation it is today,” her successor, Ann-Marie Wildman, said. “Her forward thinking and creative ideas mixed with her passion for wildlife have been inspirational to so many in the conservation world today. She has touched many lives, and it has been a privilege to both work for her and have a warm, wonderful friendship with her.”