HCR 142

R-173  Page 1 of 1
2025
No. R-173. House concurrent resolution honoring Steven D. Faccio of Strafford for
his inspiring leadership as a conservation biologist.
                                         (H.C.R.142)
  Offered by Representatives Kimbell of Woodstock, Holcombe of Norwich, and
Masland of Thetford
   Offered by Senators Clarkson, Major, and White
   Whereas, Steve Faccio has dedicated his life, both professionally and personally, to
the protection of the natural environment and its lands, waters, and creatures, and
  Whereas, he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology, respectively, from
Western Connecticut State University and Southern Connecticut State University, and
   Whereas, upon completion of his academic studies, Steve Faccio wisely headed
northward to Vermont, where he has resided to this day, and
   Whereas, for 15 years (1992–2007), he worked as a conservation biologist at the
Vermont Institute of Natural Science, where his topics of interest were often
ornithologically focused and included peregrine falcon nesting sites, loon habitat, the
presence of the brown-headed cowbird in the Champlain Valley, and examinations of
avian breeding and migration, and he developed a large oeuvre of publications in peer-
reviewed scientific journals, popular magazines, and commissioned reports, and
  Whereas, in 1994, Steve Faccio joined the Vermont Endangered Species Committee’s
Reptile and Amphibian Scientific Advisory Group, of which he remains an active
member, and
   Whereas, in 2002, he was a founding member of the Strafford Conservation
Commission; served as its secretary for 11 years; and, after a brief hiatus, rejoined and
has served continuously since 2015, and
  Whereas, in 2005, Steve Faccio was a co-winner of the Wilson Ornithological
Society’s Edwards Prize, and
   Whereas, in 2007, he embarked on a new professional adventure, cofounding and
serving as the senior conservation biologist at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies, and a
special accomplishment was creating the regularly consulted Vermont Vernal Pool
Atlas, and
   Whereas, after decades of an intellectually fulfilling and environmentally impactful
career, Steve Faccio is concluding his role at the Vermont Center for Ecostudies but will
no doubt remain involved in conservation-related projects, now therefore be it
   Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives:
   That the General Assembly honors Steven D. Faccio of Strafford for his inspiring
leadership as a conservation biologist, and be it further
   Resolved: That the Secretary of State be directed to send a copy of this resolution to
Steve Faccio and to the Vermont Center for Ecostudies.
                                                                             VT LEG #383763 v.1