SUNY-ESF: Adirondack Ecological Center

Faculty & Staff

Program

Bill Porter Dr. William F. Porter
Director
wfporter@esf.eduMy research interests include studies of the influence of habitat, weather and social behavior on population dynamics of larger vertebrates. I am especially interested in the application of this knowledge to solving natural resource challenges. My graduate students and I are currently studying social behavior and habitat relationships of white-tailed deer, use of satellite imagery to assess habitat quality in wild turkey, influences of weather, habitat, and hunting on long-term population dynamics of wild turkey, feasibility for restoration of elk to New York, and efficacy of using contraceptives to control deer in urban areas. I work extensively with the National Park Service in addressing wildlife problems. My teaching includes a course in Management of Wildlife Habitats and Populations. Additional duties include Associate Editor of the Journal of Wildlife Management.

Colin Beier
Ecologist
cbeier@esf.edu

I joined the AEC in August 2007. I completed a bachelor's in biology and psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University, and a master's in forest ecology at Virginia Tech, where I studied ecophysiology of oak regeneration beneath evergreen understory shrubs in southern Appalachian forests. I just recently completed a Ph.D. at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, where I was a National Science Foundation Fellow in the IGERT Resilience and Adaptation program. My doctoral work focused on ecological, economic and political aspects of forest management in the Tongass National Forest in southeastern Alaska, with studies ranging from climate change impacts on temperate rainforests, to the outcomes of the Alaska conservation debate for both ecosystems and human communities, to the rise and fall of industrial timber in Alaska. My responsibilities at the AEC emphasize research on climate change, forest management and conservation, ecological economics, renewable energy, and sustainability in the Adirondacks and Northern Forest, and will include teaching and outreach. I am strongly interested in collaborating with our many partners - academic, stakeholder and governmental - in the region. I live here on the Huntington Forest with my Alaskan-born-and-bred soon-to-be-wife April, two cats, and assorted skis, boats, bikes, culinary implements, garden tools, and musical instruments.

Charlotte Demers CharlotteL. Demers
Wildlife Technician
cdemers@esf.eduMy educational background includes as A.A.S. in Environmental Science and a B.S. in Environmental Forest Biology from SUNY-ESF. I am responsible for collecting and maintaining the databases associated with the AEC's ALTEMP research. My primary research interest revolves around small mammals and their importance in forested ecosystems. Current research projects include the impact of uneven aged silvicultural systems on cavity abundance and subsequent impact on cavity nesting species.

Paul B. Hai
Roosevelt Wild Life Station - Program Coordinator
pbhai@esf.edu After six years at the Syracuse campus, where the first two were spent earning a masters in biology (’00) and the succeeding four working for the Roosevelt Wild Life Station (RWLS,) I have now returned to the Adirondacks. My work is focused on developing science-based conservation education outreach materials and programs for the RWLS. The mission of RWLS’s education program, Stalking Science Education, directed by D. Andrew Saunders, is to bring conservation education programs to a statewide audience, and to accomplish this by perpetuating natural history as the fundamental tool in teaching sound science. Having recently completed two significant projects in Central New York the RWLS is now turning its attention to other regions of New York. The AEC is the ideal location from which to coordinate this next phase of our continuing statewide efforts.

Stacy McNulty
Research Associate
smcnulty@esf.edu

I am an ecologist with research interests in forest ecology, landscape ecology, and the impacts of land use on wildlife habitat. I have projects relating to songbirds, white-tailed deer, amphibians, and wildlife populations in northeastern forests. I received a B.A. in Biology from SUNY-Geneseo and an M.S. in Environmental and Forest Biology from SUNY-ESF ('97). Before returning to ESF in 2000, I worked for the Conservation Management Institute of the Fisheries and Wildlife Department of Virginia Tech. I also helped manage the Geographic Information System for the Great Lakes Program of The Nature Conservancy and collaborated on an analysis of conservation priorities for reptiles and amphibians. I am a member of the Ecological Society of America, Society for Conservation Biology, and The Wildlife Society (including the GIS, Remote Sensing, and Telemetry Working Group). I share two amazing daughters with Paul Hai and enjoy hiking, canoeing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and anything that gets me outdoors.

Marianne Patinelli-Dubay
Instructional Staff
mpdubay@esf.edu

I have a B.A. in philosophy from SUNY Binghamton and an M.A. in philosophy from Goddard College. I am currently working towards an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Humanities and Society, with a concentration in philosophy and ethics. I am presently designing and assisting in teaching a series of courses in environmental ethics and the philosophy of science. These courses explore the impact of the philosophical method on scientific inquiry. Specifically, the ways in which a philosophical perspective improves our ability to identify, understand, resolve and communicate issues.

Kathy Poulton
Keyboard Specialist
aechwf@esf.edu

I come to the Adirondack Ecological Center (AEC) with ten years experience as an EMT, and as a former employee of the Adirondack Park Agency. I contribute to the mission of the AEC by providing logistical and clerical support to students and researchers from ESF, as well as local, national and international institutions and organizations. I'm an Adirondacker, native to Newcomb. I am the proud mother of three beautiful children and an avid motorcyclist, an explorer of the Park's beautiful byways with my husband Craig. My family and I can also be found cheering excitedly at NASCAR events around the country.

Steve Signell
Research Support Specialist
ssignell@esf.eduI am currently working with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation planners as part of the UMP-GIS initiative. My directive is to improve the inventory portion of the Unit Management Plans (UMPs) by providing GIS tools, training and analysis services to Adirondack Park Managers. I also provide spatial analysis and technical support to graduate students and staff at the AEC. In May 2005, I completed a Master’s Degree in Forest Science from Penn State University. I conducted my thesis research “Influence of frequent fire on plant community composition and tree regeneration in mixed oak forests of Pennsylvania” at the National Guard Training Center at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA. My major academic interests are forest ecology, landscape ecology, spatial statistics and computer programming. I live in Long Lake with my son Alex and my fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar and dobro.

Annie M. Woods
Educator
amwoods@esf.edu I have a B.S. degree in biology from the University of Kentucky and an M.S. in environmental and forest biology from SUNY-ESF. My academic interests include landscape ecology, disturbance ecology, and geographic information systems. During my graduate student career, I spent a significant amount of time at the Adirondack Ecological Center and am very excited to now be part of the staff. My duties at the AEC include education, outreach, and research. I am excited to reach out to students and provide them with the kind of experience on Huntington Wildlife Forest that sparked my own enthusiasm to study ecology. As a transplant from Kentucky, I enjoy experiencing the scenic beauty of the Adirondacks through hiking, swimming, and cross country skiing. In my spare time I enjoy writing, drawing, and learning to play the bass guitar.

Forest Operations

Bruce W. Breitmeyer
Adirondack Forest Property Manager
breitmeyer@esf.edu

I oversee the forest management of the College's Adirondack properties. This includes Huntington Wildlife Forest - Newcomb (15,000 acres), Pack Demonstration Forest - Warrensburg (2,500 acres), and Dubuar Memorial Forest - Wanakena (2,500 acres). Management activities involve forest inventory, mapping, management planning, timber sale administration, maintain the continuous forest inventory system, and maintain various ground control systems. Our management goals are designed to support the College's mission of teaching, research, and demonstration. I have been with the College as Forest Manager since 1983. Active member of Society of American Foresters (1978), SAF Certified Forester and New York Trained Logger Certified.

Mike Gooden
Adirondack Property Forester
mkgooden@esf.eduI have been working at HWF since 1982. I was originally hired to work exclusively at the Newcomb Campus, but now have responsibilities at the college properties in Warrensburg and Wanakena. I am Certified Forester under the Society of American Foresters certification program. My duties include general forest management activities ( inventory, stand evaluation and prescription, boundary and grid line maintenance, trail maintenance, etc.), maintaining and updating records and files on forest management activities, assisting the Adirondack Forest Properties Manager in administering timber harvest programs (marking stands, scaling products, contract supervision, etc.), supervising the Forest Operations summer crew and assisting in instructional, research and public service activities.

Facilities

Mark Miller
Facilities Supervisor
mdmiller@esf.edu
Mark Miller became the HWF maintenance supervisor in the summer of 2007. A Newcomb native, Mark is a skilled mechanic and brings a wealth of skills and experience in building construction, maintenance and landscaping to the station. As the new supervisor, he has already made significant improvements to the HWF facilities.

Facilities Personneal Mike Yandon
Facilities Personnel

Rich Lake Dining Center

Barbara Schraver, Kim Canon, and Jamie Anello

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
1 Forestry Drive | Syracuse, NY 13210 | 315-470-6500