Wildlife Biologist

University of Vermont, B.S. in Wildlife Biology

University of Connecticut, M.S. in Systematics and Evolutionary Biology. Thesis: “Bobcat Habitat and Population Status in Connecticut.”

Certified Wildlife Biologist, 1989 to present, from The Wildlife Society

Freelance Author and Journalist

I have published 3 books, chapters in books, magazine articles, and numerous newspaper articles (see my page PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS). I am a member of two professional freelance organizations: Society of Environmental Journalists and Outdoor Writers Association of America.

Instructor

I have instructed at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Conservation Training Center for the Critical Writing and Critical Thinking Course (2007 coach, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 class revision, 2024, 2025). This is a course on how to write legally and scientifically defensible documents, especially for the Federal government.

Awards

2021 Winner of the national “Alison Haskell Award for Excellence in Herpetofaunal Conservation.” The award is presented annually by Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) in memory of Alison Haskell (1956 – 2006) to recognize an individual in North America who exemplifies extraordinary commitment to herpetofaunal (amphibians and reptiles) conservation.

Certifications

·       PADI SCUBA diving certificate 1985

·       FAA Private Pilot’s license (airplane, single engine, land) 1988

·       Civil Air Patrol, Florida Wing, 1989 – 1992 (ended due to Hurricane Andrew and Homestead AFB closed). Rank of Second Lieutenant.

·       Certified Wildlife Biologist ®, The Wildlife Society – granted in 1989

Featured in Media

Television and Video Appearances

·       1978-1982 Frequent guest speaker (several times a month) on natural history subjects for educational television program “Morningtown” on WGGB-TV, Springfield, MA.  Live and taped shows.

·       1990 (circa) Featured in and assisted with 30-minute educational video “Alligators” by Rich Kern for commercial sale (The Best of Rich Kern’s Nature Series)

·       1993 Appeared in a commercial video “Alligators” by Diamond Entertainment Corporation

·       1996 Interviewed by University of Alabama Center for Public TV for Everglades environmental information.1996-1997 Interviewed by Palm Beach County’s Public Broadcasting Station (Channel 20) for 20-minute segment on Loxahatchee NWR, FL. Aired numerous times.

·       1997  Featured on “An American Moment with Charles Kuralt” filmed by CBS-TV, aired on CBS; featured in the resulting book Charles Kuralt’s American Moments’ (Simon & Schuster 1998).

Radio

         Invasive Pythons Put Squeeze on Everglades’ Animals  Jan. 30, 2012 on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” 

https://www.npr.org/2012/01/30/146088909/invasive-pythons-put-squeeze-on-everglades-animals

         Pythons Blamed for Everglade’s Disappearing Animals  Jan. 31, 2012 on NPR’s “Morning Edition” https://www.npr.org/2012/01/31/146124073/pythons-blamed-for-everglades-disappearing-animals

Field Work

Setting up climbing ladders on baldcypress tree in Big Dukes Swamp to capture wood storks in their nests in Georgia with Larry Bryan (circa 1985). For Savannah River Ecology Lab.

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Holding a “puffling” (baby puffin) by its nest burrow on Matinicus Rock puffin island in Maine (circa 1989). For National Audubon Society.

Fending off mother alligator at her vegetation-mound nest in Everglades National Park; note just-hatched eggs in the water (1990; Photo by Tom Cawley). For National Park Service.

Holding an Everglades rat snake I caught while doing an airboat survey in ARM Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in southern Florida (circa 1997). For U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.