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.
After nine months of transforming quarter-sized hatchlings into cheeseburger-sized turtles—a transition that typically takes these species over four years in the wild—classrooms finally boarded a big yellow school bus and made their way to the very site where we had … Continued
Each spring, the Field Conservation Department is excited to welcome our seasonal team members. These passionate naturalists play a vital role in helping us meet the demands of our conservation programs during our busiest season. We’d love for you to … Continued
At ZNE’s Field Conservation Department, we’re used to causing a stir. There is something very unique about being at work somewhere people might not expect you to be– bursting from the undergrowth of a swamp in bizarre garb, covered in … Continued
It’s the “whistling dog.” It’s the “red dog” of Rudyard Kipling’s 1894 Jungle Book. It’s a fearsome (but not really), forest-dwelling (but not entirely), highly social, pack-hunting canid that is as mysterious as its remote Asian haunts. These wild dogs once ranged across the vast majority of … Continued
For those following this blog series, you may remember earlier posts I’ve written about a fascinating and important project Zoo New England is supporting – the captive breeding and reintroduction of the now Critically Endangered European hamster. This project is all the … Continued
Whether we’re walking along the woodland edge to radio track box turtles just beginning to forage after emerging from their overwinter burrows, trudging through the wetlands to check traps and estimate the size of the remaining Boston population of Spotted … 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.
