Chuck Bonham

Chuck Bonham is the California Executive Director of The Nature Conservancy (TNC), leading the organization’s largest state program and a major source of innovation for TNC globally. Chuck joined TNC in January 2026 after serving nearly 15 years as Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), the longest-serving leader in the agency’s history. During his tenure at CDFW, California achieved landmark conservation outcomes, including the largest dam removal and river restoration project in U.S. history on the Klamath River, expanded partnerships with Tribal Nations and the establishment of the world’s largest network of Marine Protected Areas. Earlier in his career, Chuck served as California Director and senior attorney for Trout Unlimited and as a Peace Corps volunteer in Senegal. He holds a business degree from the University of Georgia and a law degree from Lewis & Clark College.

‍