Biographies
The mission of the Wilds is approached each day by a world-class staff. The expertise and character of the Wilds staff is a powerful indicator of the advancements that lie ahead. With the leadership of these directors, the Wilds will take conservation science and education to a new level.
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Evan S Blumer V.M.D., M.S. - Executive Director
- Dr. Blumer has focused his career on bridging the gap between traditional
zoos and wildlife populations. His work with wildlife issues spans
more than 15 countries on 5 continents. Dr. Blumer serves as a board
member of the International Rhino Foundation and on the Steering Committee
of the IUCN Conservation Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG), and has
served as Chair for the AZA's Rhino Advisory Group. He also holds
faculty appointments at several colleges and universities throughout
the Midwest. As Executive Director, Dr. Blumer has been the leader
for major organizational change at the Wilds, initiating significant
institutional advancement.
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Barbara Wolfe D.V.M., Ph.D. - Director, Wildlife and Conservation
Medicine
- Dr. Wolfe is one of only 90 veterinarians worldwide named diplomate
of the American College of Zoological Medicine. She is associate editor
for the journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, Veterinary Advisor to
the AZA's Antelope Taxon Advisory Group and member of the Wildlife
Scientific Advisory Board of the Morris Animal Foundation, providing
support for wildlife research worldwide. Her Ph.D. in reproductive
physiology has led her to research and conservation projects throughout
North America, Thailand, Laos and Costa Rica.
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Nicole Cavender Ph.D. - Director, Restoration Ecology
- Dr. Cavender focuses her expertise on the nearly 10,000 acres of
land that makes up the Wilds. Her extensive experience in ecology
and restoration biology is vital to assess current ecological conditions,
direct research and recommend land management strategies that encourage
biodiversity and improve ecological function. She is a board member
of the Foundation for Environmental Research, adjunct professor of
Conservation Science at Muskingum College and recently appointed to
the Steering Committee of the Butterfly Conservation Initiative. Dr.
Cavender continues to work with private, state, and federal agencies
to develop cooperative land based research projects. Her manuscripts
and publications cover a range of research related to land management
and restoration ecology. She has authored and co-authored 10 published
papers available for review.
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Dan Beetem - Director, Animal Management, Husbandry and Health
- Dan is a graduate of Michigan State University and went on to study
reproductive physiology at Louisiana State University. His extensive
background in conservation includes more than 20 years of captive
management experience. He has worked at a variety of institutions
across the country and was part of the animal management team that
helped open Disney's Animal Kingdom. He came to the Wilds after managing
the wildlife programs at a private research and breeding facility
on St. Catherines Island, off the coast of Georgia. Dan serves on
the steering committees for the AZA Advisory Groups for Antelope,
Giraffe, and Equids.
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Laura Busby - Director, Conservation Education
- Laura's career has been dedicated to environmental education. She
is past chair of the Board of the Environmental Education Council
of Ohio, a leading professional organization for environmental educators
in the state. Laura served as Director of Centers and Education with
Audubon Ohio and has gained experience working at zoos throughout
the Midwest. She has volunteered her time in East Africa at the Jane
Goodall Institute as part of an international humanitarian and environmental
program for youth. There she worked to initiate and coordinate partnerships
in understanding between groups in Dar, Africa and her home base of
Cincinnati, Ohio. Laura also spent eight years as the Director of
Education at Greenacres Foundation in Cincinnati, Ohio.
