John H. Adams

Who is John H. Adams?

John Hamilton Adams is the founding director and trustee of the Natural Resources Defense Council, founded in 1970. Adams served as executive director and, later, as president of the nonprofit conservation group until 2006. Prior to co-founding NRDC, Adams served as an assistant U.S. attorney in Manhattan. He also served as an adjunct faculty member at New York University's law school.

Adams graduated from Michigan State University and earned a law degree from Duke University in 1962. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2011.

Adams is currently chair of the board of the Open Space Institute and sits on the boards of numerous other environmental organizations.