Board of Directors

Doug Bridgers

President

Raised in New Mexico. He graduated from UNM with a degree in Spanish and has a strong interest in New Mexico’s local cultural traditions. A former elementary school teacher, Doug brings his teaching experience and concerns for public education to Rivers & Birds. Doug states, “My own spiritual grounding is in the natural world that surrounds us. Too many children today lack direct contact with their community and the natural world on which they depend. Education must broaden the student’s base of authentic experience if we are to raise good stewards.” Doug now manages Maya Builders, a business that focuses on building energy efficient, environmentally sound homes.

Ray Powell

Vice President

Currently the Executive Director of the non-profit Roots and Shoots for the Four Corners Region. Ray has a history as a conservation leader for New Mexico. In 2004-2005, he was executive director of the Valle Caldera Trust. From 1993-2002, he served as New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands. From 1991-1993, Mr. Powell served as a special assistant to Governor Bruce King, advising him on policy related to the environment, natural resources, health and recreation. He is a retired veterinarian. Ray states: “Rivers & Birds does an exemplary job in helping young people connect with nature in a way that is fun and educational. They empower young people to become strong and positive leaders. Rivers & Birds will have a very positive impact on our future world.”

Justin Dean

Secretary

Currently River Ranger for the BLM’s Taos Field Office, Justin has worked for 7 years as biological field technician conducting field studies in fire ecology and wildlife biology for both the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the BLM. Among his many skills Justin is an accomplished birder, a versatile, professional musician who plays fiddle, guitar and mandolin, and an experienced white water canoeist and rafter. Justin lives in a small-footprint house he crafted using recycled materials. He is dedicated to community service and modeling environmental sustainability through his personal lifestyle. “I‘ve been fortunate to enjoy work immersed in the natural world. One way I express my gratitude for this gift is through my efforts for Rivers & Birds mission which honors our Earth.”
 

Bob Felt

Treasurer

The co-founder of Redwing Book Company, an international distributor of books on complementary medicine and Paradigm Publications, a leading publisher of textbooks on acupuncture and Chinese medicine. Since 1981, Bob has worked with education oriented non-profit organizations ranging from Montessori schools to Acupuncture Colleges. “Rivers and Birds provides not only ecology education for school children who might not otherwise receive it but also wonderful leadership opportunities for local youth.”

Terry Davis

Terry is a bird watcher with a deep love and awe of the natural world. She worked as a studio potter for 18 years enjoying the lifestyle of a crafts person, until she developed tendonitis in my arms and had to retrain in a different line of work. Terry now expresses her creativity through painting  out on location, a total immersion into the natural surroundings where everything else drops away except the present moment that seems to hang on the tip of your brush.  In 1999, she became certified as an Academic Language Therapist using multisensory techniques to teach reading to students with dyslexia.  She is gifted in helping students blossom in this way.  "Many years ago I accompanied my son's 5th grade class on a geology field trip as part of the Watershed Studies Program. I was so impressed with the curriculum, that I became an instructor for Rivers and Birds until my own career demanded too much time. I have watched Rivers and Birds grow and deepen into an incredible resource, helping to foster earth stewardship in the new generations arising from our community."

Jim Travis, PhD

A retired physicist from Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation, his true life passion has been birds. Jim served as the President of the NM Ornithological Society for 8 years. He conducted US Fish & Wildlife Service breeding bird surveys for over 30 years. He has recorded the most extensive collection of bird songs in New Mexico.

Jim has taught bird song identification classes for over 14 years. He is currently working on an upcoming Rivers & Birds book: Guide to the Identification of Bird Songs in New Mexico which will be published in the spring of 2009. Of his involvement with Rivers & Birds Jim states: "From awareness and involvement comes enlightenment. With knowledge comes heightened enjoyment of the wonder of our natural world, epitomized by our flowing rivers and singing birds."