Matthew J. Kolk

Audubon Selects Matthew J. Kolk
Greenwich, CT - On September 16, 2009, The Audubon Connecticut Board unanimously approved the selection of Matthew J. Kolk to serve on our State Board.

For the last four years Matt has played an essential role as a volunteer helping Audubon Connecticut our Long Island Sound Campaign, and our other key conservation programs. Through his expertise in communications and marketing, he has helped us reach more than 40,000 households a month with our Audubon at Home article in what is now East Coast Home + Design Magazine and has created opportunities for Audubon to be a presenter and participant in large scale events such as the Norwalk and New York City Boats Shows where we have reached literally millions of people over a week's time.

"In recognition all Matt has done for our community and the County without asking for anything in return, and because we know how eager he is increase the benefits Audubon brings to this region through his communications expertise, Audubon Connecticut is eager and proud to have Matt join our State Board." said John Hannan, Director of Development, Audubon Connecticut "Matt joins an illustrious group of individuals who represent the entire state of Connecticut and whose dedication to the environment is unmatched."

Matthew J. Kolk is a graduate of Sacred Heart University. A third generation printer, his business expertise includes print sales, building a paper brokerage house, and creating Fairfield County Home Magazine, which has now expanded to become East Coast Home + Design. During the second year of Fairfield County Home, a luxury shelter magazine serving upscale communities in Fairfield County, Matt was awarded the "40 under 40" award, presented by area Chambers of Commerce for being one of the forty most promising entrepreneurs under the age of 40 in Fairfield County.

Matt, along with his wife Shelley and 11 year old-son Greyson, are Fairfield residents. He is an avid boater and was attracted to Audubon because of Audubon's Long Island Sound Campaign and his own interests in protecting the Sound. Matt has assisted Audubon's presentations at the Norwalk Boat Show since 2006, as well as other boat shows in other states. He worked with the National Marine Manufacturers Association directly to assist Audubon in spreading Audubon's Long Island Sound Campaign to boaters everywhere. For the last three years, Matt has donated a section of Fairfield County Home Magazine to Audubon to tell Audubon's history and spread Audubon's message to his readers. Each edition includes an Audubon at Home column authored by John Hannan, to inform readers about Audubon's activities and priorities, from feeding birds to global warming.

Matt was also involved with the Green Homes and Building lecture series at the Kimberlin Center, both as a moderator for a panel presentation and as a media sponsor. As Matt puts it, "my relationship with Audubon has completely evolved in the past four years. It started as a Campaign to conserve the Long Island Sound and now it is so much more. From the Sound, it went into pesticides on our lawns, and then it went to energy efficiency in the home." He hopes that he can continue to expand the ways in which Audubon is able to reach larger audiences and be recognized as the central resource for sound science, reasoned policy, and well researched information for the community on protecting the environment and making our homes more efficient, while leaving a smaller footprint for the next generation.

John Hannan
Director of Development
Audubon Connecticut
203.869.5272