BIRDS AND NATURE FOR LIFE

Birds have been a defining and guiding force in my life since childhood and I am fortunate to have worked with or on behalf of birds and conservation my entire career. I started birding in elementary school, studied Wildlife Science (Cornell University) and Conservation Biology (University of Minnesota) and have had a 30 year career (so far) working for the Minnesota Zoo, The World Parrot Trust, Audubon, at The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota, and now at American Bird Conservancy, as well as a variety of research jobs around the country in my early years. Red-headed Woodpecker (c) Joanna Eckles

EDUCATION

BS Wildlife Science

Cornell University | Department of Natural Resources

(as Joanna Watson)

MS Conservation Biology

University of Minnesota | Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Agile Project Management | University of St. Thomas | Executive Education

Project Management | Watermark Learning

Ecological Restoration | University of Minnesota

Minnesota Master Naturalist

I grew up in upstate New York and now live in Minnesota with my husband Klay and (indoor!) feline Mango. Grown-up children, son Jayger and daughter Torianna, are out in the world doing their thing.