Executive Director
Ethologist / Conservationist / Nature Photographer
It has indeed been a long and interesting journey leading to the creation of the “Trails of Remembrance”.
More than a half century of involvement in conservation related endeavors have resulted in my crossing paths with some of the most inspiring and iconic individuals the world has ever known.
From my mentor and longtime friend Jane Goodall, to Dr. Bernard Grzimek and Joy and George Adamson who all were instrumental in changing the manner in which we now view wildlife.
In effect, the examples and inspiration I gleaned from these individuals have led to the forest conservation and creation of the Trails of Remembrance.
Dame Goodall, oft quoted as saying that each and every one of us makes a difference every day, and that it is up to us to decide what sort of difference that shall be.
As a New York City teen, I came to realize the pervasive injustices throughout society. Thus, proposing an organization called S.T.O.P. “The Society to Omit Prejudice”. Increasingly I would come to realize that the greatest injustices were arguably associated with the natural world.
The assault on the air and water that we all share as well as the specific targeting of species, both flora and fauna, would play the biggest role in my lifelong activities.
Stretching far and wide, this attitude of concern has evolved into a lifetime of involvement. Efforts that have included creating the “Live Aid / We are the World” era effort for African famine relief (“Serving for Hunger: Professional Tennis Cares”) to my participation in the Standing Rock pipeline dispute and perhaps most famously, my unique success in “rewilding” Hackenbush, a zoo born Anubis baboon to a free-living troop in East Africa.
These efforts have all had raising awareness to the serious issues facing the natural world as a central theme. “Last Chance At Standing Rock” was a true story I published aimed at young adult readers concerning the plight of wild horses in the US. For many years I focused my attention on creating “corridors” between protected reserves of Costa Rica. Former farm and ranchland were secured and allowed to return to a more natural and inviting habitat for numerous species.
With my well documented commitment to the environment for more than six decades, you can be assured that this “swan song” project, will receive the most stringent and comprehensive attention of any project yet. Together we can provide an enduring memory for that most special nature lover on the Trails of Remembrance.