William (Bill) D. Toone

We gratefully acknowledge the outstanding achievements that Bill Toone has made in the areas of science and public service.  After graduating from Poway High, Bill became a wildlife biologist with the San Diego Zoo, specializing in the condor.  That work grew into the California Condor Recovery Program, a conservation program of world renown and Bill became the face of conservation in the national media. During his 36-year career with the zoo, he served as curator of birds and director of applied conservation. In 2008, he created ECOLIFE Conservation, a non-profit organization dedicated to a world in which humans and nature live harmoniously by providing ecologically sustainable water, food, and shelter to communities through education-applied programs.