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Associate Director of Science
Background:
Peter Dunwiddie is the Associate Director of Science with the Washington
Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, where he has worked as an ecologist
for over 10 years. His particular emphasis has been in the areas of
community ecology, conservation biology, land management, fire ecology,
and the conservation of rare species. Prior to coming to work full
time with the Conservancy, he spent 13 years on Nantucket Island as
a plant ecologist with the Massachusetts Audubon Society. He also
conducted research in forests across much of the Southern Hemisphere
while working at the University of Arizona’s Laboratory of Tree-Ring
Research. He received his doctorate in botany at the University of
Washington and took his bachelor’s and master’s degrees
from the University of Wisconsin. He has published extensively in
a variety of fields, including fire ecology, dendrochronology, conservation
biology, paleoecology, and ornithology.
Current Projects:
Dr. Dunwiddie is currently responsible for assisting land managers
with ensuring that strong science supports the stewardship of all
of our preserves in Washington, including the many small preserves
scattered around the state that do not fall within one of our priority
landscapes. He also serves as the fire manager for the Conservancy
in Washington, helping to ensure that prescribed burns are carried
out in fire adapted ecosystems. Other projects that capture chunks
of his time include assisting with developing Conservation
Action Plans, conducting research on restoring viable populations
of the federally threatened golden paintbrush, and assisting with
floristic surveys in the San Juan and Gulf Islands.
Fun Fact:
Peter played viola in the University of Wisconsin symphony orchestra
on a music scholarship as an undergraduate.
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