Speaker: Jonathan McKnight , Associate Director for Habitat conservation with the Wildlife and Heritage Service of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Abstract::
Mute Swan numbers are exploding in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and thousands of these introduced birds are damaging bay ecosystems and wildlife populations. the State of Maryland's decision to eliminate these beautiful but dangerous birds has sparked a debate about the aesthetic appeal of wildlife - and brought ecosystem restoration into a direct clash with the animal rights movement.
Biography:
Jonathan McKnight serves as Associate Director for Habitat conservation with the Wildlife and Heritage Service of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. He has previously worked with Maryland DNR in endangered species restoration and natural lands protection and as Maryland Director for The Conservation Fund, a national non-profit land trust. McKnight has a bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Washington College and a Certificate in Ecosystem Studies from the University of Maryland.