"This is not the field for idealism. Idealism can be your compass, but realism should be your road map."
- Gene Hocutt, friend, retired wildlife biologist, and former manager of Montezuma NWR
- Gene Hocutt, friend, retired wildlife biologist, and former manager of Montezuma NWR
Thoughts.
Over the past three and a half years of my undergraduate career in Conservation Biology at SUNY-ESF, I have developed a strong interest in protecting our wildlife and the ecosystems they call home. While my main passion lies with the conservation of amphibians and reptiles, I value and appreciate all the biodiversity earth has to offer.
I grew up in rural central New York and spent most of my childhood outdoors. My upbringing instilled in me a love of native species. Wherever I call home, I will always have a special care for what is in my “backyard.”
I have been honored to work with the absolutely fascinating Kihansi Spray Toad (Nectophrynoides asperginis), a native of Tanzania. But I also find that other species, perhaps less charismatic species (to some) deserve just as much attention. Perhaps we should also strive to learn more and protect our local, “common” species simultaneously, lest one day we wake up and they are gone.
I grew up in rural central New York and spent most of my childhood outdoors. My upbringing instilled in me a love of native species. Wherever I call home, I will always have a special care for what is in my “backyard.”
I have been honored to work with the absolutely fascinating Kihansi Spray Toad (Nectophrynoides asperginis), a native of Tanzania. But I also find that other species, perhaps less charismatic species (to some) deserve just as much attention. Perhaps we should also strive to learn more and protect our local, “common” species simultaneously, lest one day we wake up and they are gone.
My Future.
I will be graduating from SUNY-ESF in May 2012 and I am currently on the search for a masters program or a job. I'd be happy with either option, so I'm applying for both so as not to miss out on any opportunities.
In a masters program, I am looking to expand my breadth of knowledge within amphibian and reptile conservation. So far I have worked on habitat restoration projects, and disease and toxicology experiments in a laboratory setting. While I am not excluding these types of opportunities from my search, I am also willing to consider any type of herpetofuana position as long as the bigger picture relates to conservation. To date, I have never disliked any sort of work involving reptiles or amphibians. I want to explore this magnificent field, get my feet wet, and learn as much as possible.
In a masters program, I am looking to expand my breadth of knowledge within amphibian and reptile conservation. So far I have worked on habitat restoration projects, and disease and toxicology experiments in a laboratory setting. While I am not excluding these types of opportunities from my search, I am also willing to consider any type of herpetofuana position as long as the bigger picture relates to conservation. To date, I have never disliked any sort of work involving reptiles or amphibians. I want to explore this magnificent field, get my feet wet, and learn as much as possible.
