After several years living in the south, I moved back to upstate NY in December 2004, and am currently living in Ravena. From December 2004 until February 2007 I worked as a Staff Ecologist for Audubon International, a small non-profit environmental organization based in Selkirk, NY. Due in part to financial reasons, I decided to follow a different career path, leaving Audubon International and taking a full-time position with Stewart's Shops, where I had been working part-time for several months. I worked primarily in their Ravena, NY store, and was taking part in their Manager Trainee program, with the eventual goal of becoming a store manager. After several months of that program, I decided that I did not want to run a convenience store, and went back to being a clerk (huge pay cut!), a position I held until late September 2008. In August 2008 I was hired as Pet Care Lead at the Glenmont, NY PetSmart, and in September 2008 I was promoted to Pet Care Manager, responsible for the Pet Care (Specialty) Department, which includes the fish, birds, reptiles, and small animals (hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, etc.) that we sell, along with the merchandise connected to them.
I grew up in Athens, where my family owns a 100 acre farm, and I attended Coxsackie-Athens High School (Class of 1993). I am really enjoying being back in the area again, close to my family, although winter was a bit of a shock after all those years down south! Spending time with my nieces and nephews has been some of my happiest times since moving back to New York. Prior to this move, I worked as a wildlife biologist in the Everglades for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, doing such things as wildlife surveys, prescribed burning, and exotic plant control. I have also worked for Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando and the San Antonio Zoo in San Antonio, Texas. At both of those I worked as an animal keeper in the bird department, working with a wide variety of birds from around the world, as well as a few reptile species. I attended SUNY ESF and Syracuse University, graduating in May '97, with a Bachelor's degree in Wildlife Biology.
Some of my interests are wildlife/nature, gardening, environmental issues, learning about different cultures and religions, penpals, hiking, travel, photography, history, genealogy, Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars. I am also a big fan of the 2005 NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles NFL team. My interests in history lie in the areas of ancient history, medieval/renaissance, and local (Greene County, NY ) history. I am also very interested in ancient Celtic culture and all aspects of Paganism. I collect all sorts of stuff, including coins, stamps, antiques, books, houseplants, and items featuring wildlife (especially birds) and nautical/lighthouse themes.
I also have a growing animal menagerie, including 2 fish tanks, a lovebird, a gerbil, a Mexican black kingsnake, a red-footed tortoise, a green-cheeked conure, three vases of bettas, and my dachshund-chihuahua mix Rico, who I got as a puppy in the Spring of 2000.I am particularly interested in birds, especially birds of prey and parrots, and am also very interested in bird conservation efforts taking place around the globe, especially in the Caribbean region. Another interest along these lines is sustainable development, and the connections between religion, culture, and nature. I am also very interested in dinosaurs and other extinct animals, as well as mythological creatures like dragons.
Starting in September 2011, I will be pursuing an MBA in Sustainable Business, with a focus on Green Development. I am taking an accelerated online program through Marylhurst University, which is located in Oregon.
Well, that tells you a little bit about me and some of my interests. Thanks for stopping by, and please come again! If you have any questions or comments for me, please let me know. If you are a Facebook member and wish to connect there, you can find my profile at this link.Have a nice day!
I have developed a short survey (July 2006) about the personal views of nature and the environment that I have sent out to various government officials, religious leaders, corporate CEOs, wildlife experts, and other people. As results come in, I am posting them on a blog I created for the project, which you can access by clicking HERE. I hope you will find it interesting!! To date, I have gotten back more than 900 responses from around the globe. If you are interested in taking part in my survey, you can take the online version of the questionnaire HERE. I hope to eventually turn this into a book or perhaps a documentary, and welcome your participation!
jeremyjtaylor@yahoo.com
Ravena, NY
United States
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