Zoo New England
Field Conservation Blog
News from the Field
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.
A Visit from Our Belizean Partners
As you may know, Zoo New England helps support the conservation of the hicatee, or Central American river turtle (Dermatemys mawii), one of the world’s most endangered turtles. These large freshwater turtles (females can weigh up to 45 pounds) are … Continued
Community Outreach Reaps Big Rewards
This week features a guest post from Senior Field Conservationist John Berkholtz highlighting our newest Blanding’s turtle field site, which was introduced in a separate blog post last summer. Late summer is a time when our Field Conservation Staff can … Continued
Partner Spotlight: Arnold Arboretum
Zoo New England has conservation partners all across the region. Many of them are towns, schools, or state agencies. In rare circumstances, a private landowner with a keen interest in conservation partners with us to protect wildlife on their property. … Continued
Where Are They Now? Blanding’s Turtle Edition
This week’s blog post is a field report from our Blanding’s Turtle field technician Jimmy Welch. This year we have continued our efforts of trapping for headstarts at Great Meadows. However, our goal has shifted in the target headstarts we … Continued
To Find a Nest
We often talk about protecting turtle nests, but how does it actually happen? Finding a turtle nest is no mean feat; the animals work hard to hide their nesting activity, because many other animals would like nothing better than a … Continued
Species Feature: Frosted Elfin
Warmer temperatures as summer comes to Massachusetts have brought plants into rapid growth and flowering, and with them, the insects that depend on those plants have also become more active. Many of these insects are so small and well-camouflaged that you … Continued
Meet the Field Conservation Team!
Bryan Windmiller
Director of Field Conservation
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 Ph.D. 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. Bryan is an adjunct professor at the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and has taught at several Massachusetts universities.
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 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. Trained as an ornithologist, Matt is learning to appreciate reptiles and amphibians just as much as birds.
Join us.
If you’re passionate about contributing to the protection of natural treasures right here in New England, we invite you to become a charter member of our new Conservation Society. Roll up your sleeves, and bring the family for a day or evening in the field, or relax and take in expert lectures by our Field Conservation staff and partner organizations.