Faculty & Staff

Bill Porter Dr. William F. Porter
Director
wfporter@esf.edu

My 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.

Charlotte Demers CharlotteL. Demers
Wildlife Technician
cdemers@esf.edu

My 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 research interests (and my M.S. Thesis project) primarily revolve 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.

Stacy McNulty
Wildlife Ecologist
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 have 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, 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 an amazing daughter Lauren with Paul Hai and enjoy hiking, canoeing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and anything that gets me outdoors.

Colin Beier, Ph.D.
Ecologist
cbeier@esf.edu

Colin joined the AEC in August 2007. He completed his undergraduate degree at Virginia Commonwealth University and a master's degree at Virginia Tech where he studied ecophysiology of oak regeneration in southern Appalachian forests. He recently completed his Ph.D. at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, where he was a National Science Foundataion Fellow. His doctoral work focussed on ecological and economic issues on the Tongass National Forest in southeastern Alaska. Dr. beier's responsibilities at the AEC will emphasize research on ecological economics and sustainability in the Adirondacks and northern forest, and will include teaching and outreach. He has expressed strong interest in collaborating with our many partners in the region.

Paul B.Hai 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.

Steve Signell
Research Support Specialist
ssignell@esf.edu

I 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.

Bruce Breitmeyer 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 Manger 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.edu

I 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 have recently become a 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.

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.

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

Barbara Schraver, Kim Canon, and Jamie Anello
Rich Lake Dining Center Staff

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