Derek was raised on a family farm in Maine & attained a B.S. of Education in Physiology and Nutrition from Plymouth State College. Previously the Fitness Director of the Laconia Athletic and Swim Club and then later a successful personal trainer in Manhattan… Derek’s life and career took a turn toward environmental conservation & public education through working with live animals in 2002.

For more than a decade since, through formal and informal schooling, Derek has diversified his knowledge and his message strongly into areas that span not only wildlife, ecology, and biological sciences… but land stewardship, energy & food production, and more! In 2010 he was introduced to the concepts of “ancestral health” and bio-mimicry which have since blended with his existing foundation into a philosophy that guides the Wildlife Encounters Ecology Center & Farm School on a path (and a goal) to effect major change for the benefit of Animals, People & Earth!

Derek has been delivering live-animal educational programming in New England for 18 years. Well known for his presentations in the educational community as well as the more “for fun” venues, he is also well regarded in the professional environmental education community.

• Professional Member: Zoological Association of America (ZAA)
• Member of the ZAA Education Committee
• Past Board Secretary & Legislative Chairperson: Association of Professional WildlifeEducators (APWE)
• Certified Member: Feline Conservation Federation (FCF)
• Member of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA)
• Consultant to Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife