Paul Tashjian

Director of Freshwater Conservation

Paul Tashjian (he/him) joined Audubon Southwest in March of 2018 to establish a comprehensive water and restoration program for the Rio Grande in New Mexico. His expertise includes water management and water protection for wildlife, river restoration, water law, and wetland workshop coordination. Paul has expanded Audubon’s role in the Rio Grande through building capacity through federal and state grants, representation on federal water teams, and coordination with many partners from irrigation districts to other non-profit environmental organizations. His work developing water market strategies for environmental flows in the Rio Grande has expanded New Mexico’s ability to protect our rivers and wetlands.

Prior to joining Audubon, Paul spent 26 years working as a regional hydrologist for the US Fish and Wildlife Service in the Southwestern United States. He coordinated the quantification and protection of water rights on National Wildlife Refuge with Department of Interior solicitors and federal and state water management agencies, conducted numerous studies and workshops to improve wetland management on Refuges, and implemented river restoration projects throughout the southwestern United States.

Paul enjoys fishing, photography, and family. He also is quite fond of burritos especially when smothered in New Mexican chile.