Prior to founding the Center for Snake Conservation (CSC), Cameron has over 15 years experience working as a herpetologist, wildlife biologist and biological permitting lead specializing in environmental regulatory support for the certification and permitting of energy infrastructure projects and facilities. His strengths include wildlife, threatened and endangered species, raptor, and migratory bird consultations involving the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and Clean Water Act. However, the need for snake conservation and education, his rarely matched passion for all things “snake”, and dream for the Center for Snake Conservation has driven Cameron to shift gears from environmental consulting. The CSC’s mission for snake conservation through education is Cameron’s priority.

In addition to the CSC, Cameron is involved in other conservation and research organizations such as Partners for the Conservation of Amphibians and Reptiles (PARC) and the Society for the Study of Reptiles and Amphibians (SSAR). He has published many peer-reviewed articles on the distribution and conservation of amphibians and reptiles. Cameron has also co-authored several book chapters including two chapters on inventory and monitoring techniques at rattlesnake dens.

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David Thomas received his undergraduate degree in biology at David Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, and his Masters degree in Zoology at Auburn University.  He began consulting work while still a student at Auburn, and has been an environmental consultant to the pipeline industry for most of his professional consulting career.  He has experience at all levels of consulting, from field identification of wildlife habitat and wetland delineation to preparation of NEPA documents, with a focus on the FERC application process, and project management. 

 

David enrolled at SUNY Albany after graduating high school, but decided to delay his education, and spent several years traveling the country, often by hitchhiking, working odd jobs and settling in different areas for short periods.  During this time he became a skilled craftsman, working in the building trades.  For a period of years he worked as an itinerant tree planter, which enabled him to visit remote wilderness areas around the country seldom seen by the general public, and which inspired him to return to school to continue his education.  He decided to pursue a degree in the biological sciences with the intention of becoming a wildlife biologist.

 

While working on his Masters degree at Auburn, David was able to work part time as a consultant, and spent weekends and summers at Camp Shelby, near Hattiesburg, Mississippi documenting gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) populations and habitats.  Soon after, he began surveying natural gas pipeline corridors for gopher tortoises and other listed species, thus beginning his career in the pipeline industry.  He spends more of his time now permitting pipelines and guiding his clients through the NEPA process than surveying, but has always felt that species habitat protection was one of the most important aspects of his job.  He feels that loss of habitat due to human overpopulation and urban sprawl is the biggest threat to all wildlife species, and contributes time and money to preserving important habitats across the country.

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Patrick C. Schaefer is the Director of Development at Cultural Survival, a leading Indigenous Peoples organization located in Cambridge, MA. He received his B.A. in International and Comparative Politics at Western Michigan University. He has spent his 12 years in fund-raising working with organizations such as the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Bentley University, the Marine Biological Laboratory of Woods Hole and National Jewish Health.

 

A newcomer to Colorado, Patrick and his wife live in the Golden Triangle neighborhood of Denver with their dog Deniro.  Weekends, or as often as possible, they enjoy venturing into the mountains for whatever exciting activity awaits.  Patrick enjoys pretty much anything that involves being outdoors and likes to spend free time with family and friends.

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Leslie TeWinkel is a Senior Natural Resource Specialist and Owner of Fish & Wildlife Solutions, LLC. She received a M.S. from the University of Minnesota's Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan's School or Natural Resources and the Environment. Leslie specializes in impact analyses, mitigation measures development, conservation planning, status reviews, and research related to fish and wildlife species, with a focus on species protected under the Endangered Species Act and Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Much of her work involves environmental permitting and conservation planning related to energy projects, including power transmission lines, natural gas pipelines, and wind facilities. Leslie has worked 20+ years in the natural resources field for the governmental, private, and non-profit environmental sectors. Prior to founding Fish & Wildlife Solutions, Leslie worked for Natural Resource Group, LLC, as a Group Manager for the protected species and wetland staff and for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Midwest Region as an Endangered Species Recovery Coordinator. Leslie has also served as a Research Fishery Biologist for the USGS and Research Associate for the National Wildlife Federation.

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