Read on to learn about the amazing work happening at our zoos, at field sites throughout New England and around the world. Expect tales from our field biologists, interesting nature facts, occasional guest posts from our community partners and an inside look at how we’re making a difference at Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo.
Last year, we shared in our blog that we’d be partnering with New Hampshire state biologists to identify potential survey sites for the bridle shiner, a species of conservation concern in NH and across much of its range. This September, … Continued
The Diamondback Terrapin represents one of Massachusetts’ most remarkable reptiles—a species uniquely adapted to life in brackish coastal waters. Distinguished by their diamond-patterned shells and extraordinary ability to process both fresh and salt water, these turtles are the only North … Continued
If you’ve ever tried to spot a marbled salamander in the wild, you know it’s no easy task. These elusive amphibians belong to the genus Ambystoma, commonly known as “mole salamanders”, a fitting name for creatures that spend most of … Continued
Nestled in the heart of Concord, Massachusetts, Peter Spring Field is more than just farmland—it’s a thriving ecological corridor and a testament to what thoughtful conservation can achieve. This 20-acre agricultural field, owned by the town and leased to the … Continued
Picture this: an unassuming mollusk sits quietly on a riverbed, filtering up to 15 gallons of water per day. Now imagine thousands of these creatures working around the clock as nature’s water treatment plants, keeping our rivers and streams clean. … Continued
For six consecutive summers, ZNE conservation biologists have donned their waders and ventured into the ponds of the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University to survey aquatic biodiversity. This ongoing collaboration has provided invaluable insights into urban wildlife populations and the … Continued
Peter has a long history of working around the world on wildlife conservation. He has designed, implemented, and supervised programs on the conservation of large and small mammals (ranging from Amur tigers and snow leopards to grasshopper mice), birds, and reptiles on four continents. He is also a noted expert on helping to build capacity for conservation among local communities. Peter’s current role is focused on helping Zoo New England achieve its vision of becoming a true global conservation leader.
Emilie Wilder
Associate Director of Conservation Engagement
Like all of us in the Field Conservation Department, Emilie wears many hats – from leading field trips to mucking through the swamp to making sure all our permits are up to date. Emilie attended Brandeis University and is interested in the human dimensions of wildlife conservation, especially in finding win-win ways to live alongside wildlife.
Matthew Kamm
Associate Director of Field Conservation
Matt leads the local field conservation at Zoo New England and is currently focused on devising, planning, supervising, and executing a research project intended to increase our understanding of the dynamics of mammalian predation on juvenile and adult wood turtles. His goal is to devise methods that may decrease the rate of this predation. As a PhD ornithologist (Tufts University), Matt is learning to appreciate reptiles and amphibians just as much as birds.
John Berkholtz
Senior Field Conservationist
John is primarily responsible for our Blanding’s turtle and spotted turtle conservation projects, and he also leads our marbled salamander headstarting effort. Since 1992 he has been in the animal care field, working as a Keeper and Senior Keeper at Zoo New England and the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York City. Working in AZA zoos has given John a strong appreciation for the importance of public outreach and zoo’s active role in wildlife conservation.
Cara McElroy
Research Associate
Cara received a BS in Zoology from Auburn University and earned a Masters in Ecology from the University of Georgia and is primarily responsible for crunching datasets and writing scientific reports. Cara also teaches many of our school programs. When she’s not in class or running our data analysis, she’s equally likely to be plunging through the swamps. If you want to talk sports or catch up on the latest pop-culture references, Cara is your best bet.
Anna Sorgie
Field Biologist
Anna leads the box turtle and habitat enhancement conservation projects in MA and NH. Anna graduated from University of Rhode Island in 2022 with a Bachelors of Science in wildlife conservation biology. Past projects she has worked on include shorebird monitoring, horseshoe crab sampling, New England Cottontail population studies, and investigating the habitat use and nesting ecology of several early successional bird species.
Kirsten Ward
Conservation Outreach Coordinator
Kirsten's duties include nest monitoring, turtle tracking, giving educational programs and field trips, and making sure that as many people as possible learn about Zoo New England’s amazing local and international conservation work. Kirsten received an honors in biology from UMass Boston in 2022 and since then has been out on beaches protecting coastal waterbirds, in college lecture halls teaching biology, and now out in the field with us on an enthusiastic mission to share her passion for conservation.
Jimmy Welch
Senior Field Conservationist
Jimmy leads on both our Blanding's turtle and Hognose conservation projects, and he is known for his impressive turtle tracking abilities. He graduated from the University of New England with a degree in animal behavior and environmental science. He has worked with birds, prairie dogs, sea turtles, freshwater turtles, snakes, and more.
