Matthew A. Young

Matt Young is an conservationist, educator, social worker, and author of Stokes Guide to Finches of the United States and Canada. Matt has almost 25 years of land conservation experience working with donors, landowners, agencies, and organization administrators across New York to help preserve important wetland, bird, orchid, plant, and amphibian habitat for Finger Lakes Land Trust, CNY-Land Trust, Cornell Natural Areas, and The Wetland Trust. Matt has a diverse background working in conservation, education, and ornithology for 25+ years, but also has nearly 13 years in the social work field working in leadership and management positions with special needs populations. He advocates for both the study and observation of nature, but also the appreciation and conservation of nature which can help unify people in mindful inclusive ways that lead to better health and wellness.

• Wild Bird Feeding Institute Research Foundation, Board of Trustee, 4/1/2021-Present
• Finch Research Network (FiRN), Founder and Board President, 8/1/2020-Present
• Native Orchid Conservation Network (NOCN), Founder and Board President, 10/1/2020-Present
• The Wetland Trust, Board Member 5/1/2012-Present
• The Central New York Land Trust, Board Member, 4/1/2004-4/1/2012

• Cullman Grant
• Wilson Conservation Trust Grant
• Knobloch Family Foundation Grant
• International Evening Grosbeak Road to Recovery Project Co-lead
• Two grants for “A Systematic Survey of the Spiranthes cernua Species Complex (Orchidaceae) in New York”: American Orchid Society and a grant from the New York State/United University Professions Joint Labor-Management Committees.
• Finches of the United States and Canada. Presented for 30 different podcasts, and birding and ornithological groups.
• Media revenue for Macaulay Library: Successes, opportunities and changes. Presented for Cornell Lab Board of Directors.
• The Important Role Land Trusts Can Play in the Conservation of Plants and Animals.
• Nourishing Birds and Ourselves. Presented for Wild Bird Feeding Institute.
• Orchids of the Northeastern United States: Presented to several orchid groups
• New York State Ornithological Journal The Kingbird, Regional Editor, 1/1/2001-1/1/2011
• Started the SUNY-ESF Bird Club as a grad student
• Was chosen as an Americorps team member for 2 terms and 1700 volunteer hours