Biography
Dr. Norris’ career began as a federal scientist delivering innovative conservation projects at scale working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in New Mexico and then as the USFWS Sacramento Field Supervisor. Norris then moved to the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) where she served as Deputy Secretary for Biodiversity and Habitat since 2020. At CNRA, Norris led California’s 30x30 initiative to conserve 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030 and oversaw the Cutting Green Tape initiative to accelerate the pace and scale of ecological restoration.
In its 76-year history, WCB has had six executive directors, and Dr. Norris becomes the first female to fill the role. Norris holds a bachelor’s degree in resources policy and planning from Cornell University, a master’s degree in conservation biology from the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in ecology from the University of New Mexico. A native of New York State, Norris lives in Sacramento with her husband Scott and occasionally sees their grown children Jessica and Daniel.
Contact Info
Executive Director
Jennifer Norris, Ph.D.
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94244-2090
(916) 445-8448
Jennifer.Norris@wildlife.ca.gov