Chris Rowlands is a singer, songwriter, painter, puppeteer and Outreach Naturalist with Aullwood Audubon, where he develops innovative and interdisciplinary environmental education programs for children.

Chris began his career as a naturalist in 1986 while enrolled in college with the National Audubon Expedition Institute. Within a few years, Chris became a nationally recognized performer, teaching children about nature through innovative outreach programs. A talented artist, Chris has also drawn animals in a variety of media his entire life and created wildlife illustrations for the Connecticut Wildlife Department. Chris has gone on to creatively blend his talents in music, art, comedy and education to create fast paced shows that teach and inspire young people. His programs include an ongoing series of artistic residences in which he works with students to create large scale murals involving natural subjects. 

Chris has been recognized with numerous awards over his career. The Environment Magazine honored Chris with its first E Award for his environmental education programs. Chris was presented with a 2017 Ohio Museums Association Award of Achievement honor as OMA Professional of the Year, and was a recipient of the Wood Thrush Award from the Cincinnati Nature Center in October of 2018.

In his current capacity as Outreach Naturalist at Aullwood Audubon near Dayton, Ohio, Chris brings his lessons about nature, art and conservation to more than 60,000 students, teachers and parents each year through public performances and in-school artistic residencies.