Judy Calman

Policy Director, New Mexico

Growing up in Washington, DC, Judy was always fascinated by the vast landscapes of the west, and New Mexico in particular. Halfway through college at the University of Maryland, she did a one-semester exchange program at the University of New Mexico, and never went back. Judy finished her degrees in Biology and Philosophy in Albuquerque, and after becoming involved in politics and activism in the early and mid-2000’s, she decided to go to law school. Judy holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of New Mexico, as well as a Master’s in Environmental Policy from the Vermont Law School.

For the first ten years of her career she worked as the attorney for the New Mexico Wilderness Alliance, where she helped protect New Mexico’s public lands by opposing damaging projects in sensitive areas, working with agencies to improve project proposals, nominating special places for federal administrative designations, and through litigation when absolutely necessary. Judy was also the organization’s lobbyist and worked at the state legislature for better policies at the state level.

Judy loves her work at Audubon, where she focuses on improving state policies regarding water, wildlife, and renewable energy siting, as well as protection of sensitive bird habitat in southeast New Mexico which is heavily threatened by oil and gas. Almost exclusively working on state legislation and with state agencies, she helps draft bills, helps secure funding for agencies, and is a registered lobbyist for the organization.

When not working, she is playing with her amazing identical twin boys, swimming, or drinking good wine with good friends.