Washington, D.C. -- William (Bill) Kurtis, acclaimed documentary host and producer, has been elected to the Board of Trustees of the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). The board is the governing body for the nonprofit, which is the nation’s leading voice for our national parks.

“We are thrilled and honored to have Bill Kurtis join our Board,” said NPCA President Tom Kiernan. “His legendary journalistic work speaks for itself, and his conservation efforts are equally impressive. He will greatly benefit our organization.”

Kurtis has worked in television for over 40 years, anchoring the CBS Morning News, contributing to CBS Reports and as a longtime anchor/reporter for CBS’ WBBM-TV in Chicago.  In 1990, he founded Kurtis Productions and currently hosts several programs on the A&E Network, including Investigative Reports, American Justice and Cold Case Files.  He has appeared in numerous films, and is a published author.

Throughout his career, Kurtis has received many humanitarian, journalism and broadcasting awards, including over twenty Emmy Awards and the Peabody Award for his PBS science education series, The New Explorers. He is also credited with breaking the Agent Orange story, leading to congressional hearings and ultimately compensation for Vietnam veterans.

Additionally, Kurtis is an active conservationist. At his 10,000-acre Red Buffalo Ranch, he raises free-range, grass-fed cattle, which share the land with a wild buffalo herd. In 2005, he founded Tallgrass Beef Company to champion the environmental and health benefits of grass-fed cattle ranching and to coordinate the efforts of small grass-fed ranchers across the country. 

He also serves on the board of directors of organizations including The Nature Conservancy, Chicago Green City Market, Chicago Botanic Garden, and the Field Museum of Chicago.

Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice of the American people in the fight to safeguard our National Park System. NPCA, its members, and partners work together to protect the park system and preserve our nation’s natural, historical, and cultural heritage for our children and grandchildren.

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