Get to Know Houston Audubon’s New President & CEO, Jed Aplaca

As we kick off 2025, we’re excited to start the new year under the helm of our new President & CEO, Jed Aplaca. Jed has dedicated his career to the preservation and stewardship of natural resources, driven by a lifelong passion for the environment. Raised in Hawaii, Jed spent his formative years immersed in the beauty of the ocean and mountains, fostering a deep appreciation for nature. He earned a B.S. in Conservation Biology at Brigham Young University, and a Master’s degree in Biology at Texas State University-San Marcos, publishing a thesis titled The Non-Native Flora of Texas. Jed’s background in conservation biology and botany aligns perfectly with the organization’s critical land management efforts, particularly in native plant restoration. His history of successful partnerships with local organizations bolsters Houston Audubon’s community outreach and education programs, both in the community and at our sanctuaries.

Jed answered some questions so we can get to know him better.

What is your favorite bird?

This is definitely a hard question because there are so many birds to choose from. To answer, I have to divide this into two chapters of my life: one from growing up in Hawaii and one from the mainland. Growing up, the White-rumped Shama always caught my attention with its striking contrast of black, chestnut brown, and a distinctive white rump. Its beautiful whistling song, often emanating from the shadows of the trees, always alerted me to its presence. Although it’s a non-native bird in Hawaii, spotting one was always a special treat. On the mainland, my favorite bird is the crow. I love watching murders gather, exploring areas in search of food. Their intelligence never ceases to amaze me; they always seem so inquisitive and keenly observant of the world around them.

What is your earliest memory connecting to nature?

When I was about 4 years old, I remember sitting with my older brothers, looking out of the window from our house on Laie Point in Hawaii, waiting and watching. We had set up a simple trap—a long string tied to a stick holding up one end of a box—hoping to catch a Northern Cardinal that frequently visited our yard. Though we spent countless hours anticipating its arrival and watched the cardinal often, we never managed to trap it. This memory remains one of my earliest connections with nature and likely sparked my lifelong fascination with observing the natural world.

What was your favorite vacation?

We didn’t go on many vacations when I was young, so when we did, it really stood out. One in particular was a trip to the mountain west when I was 12 years old. The main purpose of the trip was a family reunion in Idaho, but we spent several days driving through a few of those states in the west: Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. I remember visiting Yellowstone and seeing bison in real life for the first time! It was amazing to get out and visit several national parks and see the beautiful landscapes.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?

I would love to travel to Australia and New Zealand. I have always been amazed at the wildlife in Australia and how it seems to be all around you. I love parrots and there are over 50 species of parrots in Australia. It would be amazing to travel around and have cockatoos and rainbow lorikeets flying wild in their natural habitat. I also would love to visit New Zealand because of the spectacular views it has and also some very interesting species I would love to see, such as the kiwi and the kakapo, both of which I’m sure would be hard to find.

Who is your favorite author?

My favorite author has to be Michael Crichton. I love the Jurassic Park books and all of the other science fiction books he has written. I think what interests me most is the way he mixes in very interesting and sometimes controversial scientific ideas into these stories to make them almost seem like they could actually come true.

Do you collect anything?

When I worked for the herbarium at BYU-Provo, I developed a passion for plant collecting, primarily for herbarium specimens. One of my professors had an impressive number of collected specimens, many of which had been sent to herbaria around the world, and I thought that was the coolest thing. Although herbarium collections have declined, I still believe these specimens are an essential resource for studying plants. While my own collecting efforts have waned over the years, I feel the need to pick it back up, especially given the rapid changes occurring in flora worldwide.

What was your favorite subject in school?

My favorite subject in school was anything that had to do with the Biological Sciences and Agriculture. I loved everything from general Biology to Marine Biology, and my path in college led me to very interesting courses such as Plant Anatomy, Advanced Plant Taxonomy and Botanical Latin. I also greatly enjoyed Agriculture in high school. As soon as I was able to take the classes, I spent time working on our high school farm, learning how to drive a tractor, and taking care of the chickens and pigs. While I was in high school I also spent a lot of time helping to develop our Aquaculture program where we raised tilapia and Chinese catfish.

Who was your favorite teacher in school and why?

My favorite teacher was Mr. Kanemoto. He was my Agriculture teacher for 3 years in high school. Not only did he teach me about agriculture and hard work, but he also taught me how to be a nice person and treat other people with respect.

What song would you say best sums you up?

The song “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley resonates deeply with me. I love the imagery of birds singing by his doorstep and the uplifting message of positivity in the face of adversity. This reflects my outlook on life: while challenges arise, better times are often ahead. Maintaining this perspective isn’t always easy, but it’s something many of us strive for during difficult times. I also can’t help but wonder—what species of birds might have been sitting by his doorstep?

What are you most excited about in your new role?

I am most excited about the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in both the community and the environment. My appreciation for nature blossomed during my childhood in Hawaii, where I was constantly amazed by the plants and animals around me. I was always eager to learn more, and my mom nurtured that curiosity by sharing nature books with me whenever she could. As I grew, I not only enjoyed being immersed in nature but also developed a deep appreciation for its beauty and complexity. Witnessing firsthand the impact humans can have on their environment sparked a lifelong desire to protect it.

Throughout my journey, I’ve embraced every opportunity to learn and grow, and I’m incredibly grateful that my career path has led me to Houston Audubon. This remarkable organization, with its strong structure, dedicated staff, supportive board, and passionate members, is doing vital work to protect the Gulf Coast. I’m honored to lead it into the future and help amplify its positive impact on both people and nature.

Please join us in welcoming Jed to the Houston Audubon team!