FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 5, 2023

Introducing Connecticut Forest & Park Association’s Next Executive Director

 

ROCKFALL, CONNECTICUT— The Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA) is pleased to announce the hiring of Andy Bicking as its next Executive Director. Mr. Bicking is currently the Director of Government Relations and Public Policy at Scenic Hudson, a conservation organization located in New York’s Hudson Valley. Andy has served in several leadership positions at Scenic Hudson
where he has worked since 2000.

For over 20 years, Mr. Bicking has demonstrated his passion for grassroots environmental work and has been a champion of numerous regional conservation initiatives. While at Scenic Hudson, Mr. Bicking was a member of the legislative team that ran New York’s $4.2 billion “Clean Air, Clean Water, and Green Jobs Bond Act” campaign, which passed in 2022 with overwhelming support. He has worked on several pieces of legislation related to climate resiliency and land stewardship, and advocated for New York’s “30 by 30” law to include urban conservation. He also worked to advance the federal Highlands Conservation Act, and recently helped to reauthorize the legislation. Connecticut is one of four states that benefits from that program.

When asked why he wanted to join the CFPA team, Bicking says the Executive Director position “touched on the four corners of my career: education, land stewardship, advocacy, and management, and felt like a natural fit. There’s a deep bench of expertise that exists between the board, staff, volunteers, and partners, and a real passion among its donors.”

“CFPA is leaning forward into the challenging issues facing conservation today—climate change; community-based work and embracing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion principles—while at the same time maintaining a healthy respect for the strong history of the conservation movement. CFPA is … identifying its strategic role to provide the great services of outdoor recreation and nature for all people,” said Mr. Bicking.

“Andy’s commitment to conservation, advocacy, environmental education, and trails is the perfect match for CFPA and we are thrilled to have him as our new Executive Director,” said CFPA Board President, Rich Croce. Mr. Bicking will start his position with CFPA in mid-January.