Welcome to Zoo New England’s Field Conservation blog! Here, we share some of the amazing work going on “beyond the zoo” at a variety of field sites around New England. Expect tales from the field, interesting nature facts, and the occasional guest post from one of our local – or international! – community partners.
This week, we have a guest blog post from ZNE’s new Director of Field Conservation, Peter Zahler. We’re so excited to have him on board! Hello everyone! My name is Peter Zahler and I am the new Director of Field … Continued
Ecological restoration is a slow process. Often, we must wait several years to see if our work is paying off. Plants must mature, flower, and spread seeds. Turtles often don’t reach reproductive maturity until 16 years of age or even … Continued
It’s sixty degrees Fahrenheit in February as I write these words, and not even for the first time this year. Some variation in temperature from day to day and week to week has always been a fact of life living … Continued
We’re finishing our three-part series of wild staff animal encounters this week with one from the Director of Field Conservation himself, Bryan Windmiller, featuring one very interesting and very lost amphibian. “I have spent a great deal of time surveying … Continued
This week continues our series of wild field experiences shared by our staff members. The Field Conservation Team has really done some amazing things! “After graduating from Auburn University (War Eagle!) and before I officially started grad school at Georgia … Continued
This week and next, we’re taking you on a tour of some of our staff’s wildest animal experiences during our long and varied career. We hope you enjoy these stories and come to know our team a little bit better! … Continued
Bryan Windmiller is the Director of Field Conservation at Zoo New England, where he oversees the Zoo’s local wildlife conservation programs and its support of international conservation efforts. Bryan earned a PhD in biology and a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy, both from Tufts University and he has worked in various roles as a conservation biologist in Massachusetts since 1987.
Emilie Wilder
Field Conservation Program Manager
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
Conservation Outreach Coordinator
Matt’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. 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.
Julie Lisk
Field Conservationist
Julie is a hugely dedicated and talented field scientist with a nose for turtles! Julie runs our eastern box turtle project, and there’s no one better at finding box turtles in the state (she even regularly beats our turtle-sniffing dog to the punch.) Julie also hatches many of our turtle eggs at her home, and turtles headstarted at Julie’s house grow up to be gourmands, and are treated to the finest wild mushrooms, slugs, and cantaloupe.
James Welch
Field Biologist
Jimmy is our newest team member, but already outpaces all of us in turtle tracking skill and speed. 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.