Blazing Star Award | Hilary Swain, Ph.D.

Dr. Swain’s personal research interests span conservation biology, agroecology, and limnology. Her work addresses topics ranging from sustainable land management to the preservation of rare species and the health of Florida’s freshwater ecosystems, such as Lake Annie.

Hilary Swain, Ph.D.

Executive Director & CEO, Senior Research Biologist

Dr. Hilary Swain has served as the Executive Director of Archbold Biological Station in Venus, Florida since 1995, where she leads one of the nation’s premier field stations dedicated to science, conservation, and education. She oversees the stewardship of two flagship properties: the 8,800-acre Archbold Biological Station on the ancient Lake Wales Ridge and the 10,500-acre Buck Island Ranch, a working cattle ranch and research site within the Headwaters of the Everglades.

Under her leadership, Archbold’s research informs critical conservation strategies for sustainable ecosystems, the survival of threatened species, and large landscape conservation. Notably, Dr. Swain has played a public role in protecting conservation lands in Florida, including the implementation of the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

Dr. Swain has fostered partnerships that amplify Archbold’s science and conservation impacts regionally, statewide, and globally. She facilitates collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies, non-profits, and landowners to achieve Archbold’s mission of understanding and protecting Florida’s life, lands, and waters. She also holds leadership roles in influential science networks, including the USDA Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) Network and the Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network (GLEON).

As Executive Director, she manages Archbold’s diverse programs, cutting-edge data and technology initiatives, budget, facilities, and support operations. Her team includes 60-70 staff members, graduate students, interns, and visiting scientists.

As she retires, Dr. Swain reflects on her career at Archbold - View Video