My conservation work has centered for more than four decades on the ecology and conservation of reptiles and amphibians. My research has examined the effects of habitat alteration, urbanization, and invasive species on wildlife, with projects involving stream salamanders, bog turtles, diamondback terrapins, eastern box turtles, rattlesnakes, and invasive Burmese pythons. A consistent goal of my work has been to translate careful field research into information that can improve species monitoring, habitat management, and public understanding of wildlife.

Public participation and education have also been important parts of my conservation work. My research has included citizen-science initiatives such as the Carolina Herp Atlas, the Catawba River corridor coverboard program, and the Davidson College box turtle mark-recapture program. Over the course of my career, I have collaborated with government agencies, conservation organizations, landowners, utilities, countless students, and community volunteers. These partners have included the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Duke Energy, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and regional land-conservation organizations.

I continue to support conservation through research, scientific writing, education, and public communication. Wildlife art has become an additional and complementary way for me to pursue that commitment. Through graphite and colored-pencil drawings, I seek to encourage close observation of animals—including reptiles and amphibians that are often overlooked or misunderstood—and to communicate their individuality, ecological importance, and need for protection. I believe art can complement science by helping people develop a deeper appreciation for wildlife and the habitats on which they depend—an appreciation that is essential to conservation.