In the furtherance of his conservation, science and educational interests, James Kushlan has engaged with and supported a number of professional associations, civic institutions and conservation initiatives. Dr. Kushlan’s engagements often have involved service on governing boards and committees, and he has founded and cultivated several of these initiatives. Below are short summaries of these programs. More can be learned on their institutional websites, which also welcome additional support for their programs.
International and National Conservation
Waterbird Conservation for the Americas
As bird conservation was becoming increasingly organized and institutionalized in the United States in the 1990s, Dr. Kushlan identified that waterbirds were without institutional advocates. To remedy this deficiency, he founded and chaired from 1993-2003 the North American Waterbird Conservation Initiative and its successor organization, Waterbird Conservation for the Americas. The initiative’s purpose was to coordinate planning and implement conservation action for waterbirds in North America and the Caribbean. The North American Waterbird Conservation Plan was developed in consultation with hundreds of interested scientists, conservationists, and organizations. The waterbird initiative became part of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative, of which Dr. Kushlan was a founding committee member, co-author of its foundation document and represented the waterbird conservation initiative on the U.S. Committee from 2000-2011. He also was a member of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Shorebird and Waterbird Working Group from 2000 to 2003 and the Federal Committee of Partners in Flight committee from 1996-2002. The initiative’s focus on waterbirds led to the development of monitoring programs, inclusion in state and federal conservation planning, and eligibility for federal funding sources. The initiative also facilitated connections among waterbird conservationists throughout the hemisphere, national-level analysis and planning, and encouraged development of a flyway approach to waterbird conservation in the Americas.
IUCN Heron Specialist Group
Along with Dr. Heinz Hafner, Dr. Kushlan founded the global Heron Specialist Group in 1985 and was chair or co-chair for 35 years. The group is the voice for heron conservation and research world-wide on behalf of the Species Survival Commission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It formerly served as a research group of the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau and Wetlands International, on whose governing boards Dr. Kushlan served. It also was a specialist group of the International Council for Bird Protection, now BirdLife International. As co-founder and chair, Dr. Kushlan served in numerous capacities including convener of conferences, journal founder and editor, and author of the global heron conservation plan. As chair in strategic planning processes, he led the organization’s adoption of the modern name of HeronConservation, development of its electronic media presence, and of a plan to assure leadership succession after the termination of his own 35 years of leadership.
BirdLife International
Dr. Kushlan is a member of BirdLife International’s Director’s Advisory Group since 2016 and before that a member of the BirdLife International/ National Audubon Society Stewardship Council. BirdLife International, headquartered in the United Kingdom, is a worldwide partnership pf bird conservation organizations. He previously engaged its predecessor organization, the International Council for Bird Protection, as chair of its Heron Specialist Group, and participated in the Americas regional program and the organization’s science activities including its endangered species listing functions.
Wetlands International
Dr. Kushlan was a member of the board of directors of Wetlands International from 1995 to 2004. Headquartered in The Netherlands, Wetlands International is a leading voice for wetland conservation worldwide. Prior to the organization of Wetlands International, Dr. Kushlan, from 1985 to 1995, was on the board of its predecessor, the International Waterfowl and Wetlands Research Bureau in the United Kingdom, initially representing the organization’s research groups. He participated in the creation of Wetlands International from three regional entities, organizing the new foundations in the Netherlands, and served on and chaired the board of Wetlands International – Americas.
American Bird Conservancy
Dr. Kushlan was a member of the board of directors of the American Bird Conservancy from 2000 to 2006. Dr. Kushlan’s engagements especially focused on national bird conservation policy and on long-term financial sustainability including establishment of the organizations’ endowment program. On behalf of the Conservancy, in 2002 he founded ABC’s Bird Conservation Alliance to provide a Washington DC based forum for independent bird conservation groups, and chaired it from 2002 to 2005.
Bahamas Environment Trust
Dr. Kushlan was founder, president, and trustee of the Bahamas Environment Fund from 2009-2012. Dr. Kushlan formed this organization as a US based support group for the Bahamas National Trust. Its purpose was to manage fund-raising in the United States. Its sponsorships included educational programs, establishment of a botanical garden, and support for national parks. On behalf of the Bahamas National Trust, Dr. Kushlan undertook an inventory of the seabirds of the northern Bahamas as part of his research program.
Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat
Dr. Kushlan was member of the science board of Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat from 1992 to 2006. Located in southern France, this station has led the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands. Dr. Kushlan’s focus was on support of the station’s long-term research program in heron biology and conservation. He especially advised the station’s founder, Dr. Luc Hoffmann, on development and management of its long-term research and monitoring programs in Mediterranean wetlands.
Federal Endangered Species Recovery Teams
Dr. Kushlan was an active participant in the development of conservation action for endangered species following the implementation of the Endangered Species Act. In addition to his own research on endangered species in southern Florida, he was a member of the American Crocodile Recovery Team from 1975 to 1983, the Florida Panther Recovery Team from 1975 to 1982, and member and chair of the Cape Sable Sparrow Recovery Team from 1979-1983.
Research
American Ornithological Society
Dr. Kushlan has had numerous professional engagements with the American Ornithologist’s Union (AOU), now reorganized as the American Ornithological Society. Founded in 1883, it is the largest ornithological society in the world. He was elected a fellow of the society in 1988 and also of the International Ornithological Union in 2000. He served as an elected member of its governing council 1994-1997, vice-president 1998-1999, and as the society’s 51st president in 2004-2006. He chaired committees including membership and strategic planning, and as meeting coordinator institutionalized meeting policies. As president his focus was on strategic planning for the future disruption of professional society membership and scientific publication. He also served on the International Ornithological Committee and as the AOU’s representative to the Ornithological Council, Ornithological Societies of North America, and Bird Conservation Alliance.
Waterbird Society
Dr. Kushlan was a founding member of the Colonial Waterbird Group, serving in numerous capacities as the group evolved into the Waterbird Society, which now is approaching 50 years old. From 1985 to 1988, he was editor of its journal, now known as Waterbirds, and the society’s president from 1996 to 1998. As journal editor, he focused successfully on expanding the journal’s ranking and professional standing, and engaging the biological editors’ community on such opportunities. As president, his focus was on growing the society, securing its financial sustainability, and expanding its remit and membership to encompass waterbirds more broadly. In 2002, Dr. Kushlan was recipient of the society’s Distinguished Service Award and in 2005 its Life-Time Achievement Award in Waterbird Conservation. The society annually provides grants for waterbird research and conservation named in his honor.
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
From 1995 to 2001, Dr. Kushlan served as director of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, the nation’s premier wildlife research laboratory. The center at the time was undergoing organizational transitions within the US Department of the Interior; and Dr. Kushlan’s role was to preserve its research capacities and re-grow its capacity. Dr. Kushlan led the Center to increased funding and staffing, absorption of critical monitoring programs such as the Bird Banding Laboratory and Breeding Bird Survey and former National Park Service university-based research units, development of new wildlife monitoring programs, and to increased governmental and university partnerships.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary protects a wildlife park in Pennsylvania and sponsors international research and conservation on hawks and other birds of prey. Dr. Kushlan was a member of the governing board from 2000 to 2007. He served in numerous capacities including chairing the science committee and The sanctuary created a named graduate student grants program in his honor.
Education
University of Miami
Dr. Kushlan received his doctorate from the University of Miami in 1974. He was an adjunct assistant professor of biology from 1976 to 1980. He has been a member of School of Arts and Sciences advisory committee since 2008 and co-chaired the college’s capital campaign in 2012-2015. As an alumni, he has maintained an interest and support for the university’s biology program, particularly continuation of its history in organismal biology and ornithology at both the Biology Department and Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences. In his honor, the university has created a named academic chair in waterbird biology and conservation and also a named graduate studies research fund.
John Cabot University
A liberal arts college in Rome, Italy, John Cabot University serves a diverse international student body. Dr. Kushlan served as a member of the board of trustees from 1993 to 2006, including a term as vice-chair of the board, and remains an honorary trustee. For many years Dr. Kushlan chaired the university’s Academic Affairs Committee and led the board’s successful engagement in achieving stand-alone accreditation. His engagement also focused on financial sustainability, developing a study abroad program, and the library. In recognition of his contributions, the university awarded Dr. Kushlan an honorary doctorate and has named an academic building in his honor.
Texas A&M-Commerce and The University of Mississippi
Dr. Kushlan was a tenured professor at East Texas State University, now named Texas A&M – Commerce, and at The University of Mississippi. In Texas, 1984-1988, he also was director of the university’s Water Resource Center, received the institution’s annual Distinguished Faculty Award in 1987, and was invited to give the commencement address that year. At The University of Mississippi, 1988- 1999, he served an eight year term as chair of the Department of Biology. He led the department in creating a focus on freshwater biology including developing an aquatic biology field station.
Local Conservation
Everglades Foundation
Dr. Kushlan has served on the board of directors of the Everglades Foundation since 2011. Dr. Kushlan served as founding chair of the education committee in which he was instrumental in developing the foundation’s Everglades literacy program, which has since reached thousands of southern Florida’s students. He also initiated and chaired the board’s science committee and science-policy committee, emphasizing integration among science communication, planning, and policy.
Zoo Miami Foundation
Dr. Kushlan served on the board of directors of the Zoo Miami Foundation since 2012, including terms as treasurer and in 2016-2018 as chair of the board. HE remains an emeritus director. He also was a member of the Miami-Dade County Zoo Oversight Board, 2015-2019. Moreover, he has been a member of the predecessor organization, the Zoological Society of Florida since the 1960s. Dr. Kushlan’s engagement focused on board growth, governance policies, financial and endowment management, and management processes. In his honorZoo Miami has named its Everglades wading bird exhibit in his honor and awards research and conservation grants.
Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Dr. Kushlan has served on the board of trustees of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden since 2011. His interests have been in its research and conservation missions. He has served as chair of the science committee and has been active in encouraging bird conservation at the garden. The garden has named its bird conservation program in his honor.
HistoryMiami Museum
The museum is the Miami community’s primary repository and educational facility for local history. Dr. Kushlan served as a member of the board of trustees from 2011 to 2016. Service to the museum included chairing the collections committee, on the executive committee, and on several advisory and search committees. His later engagements focused on his interest in the history and natural history of southern Florida, topics of several of his books.
Friends of The Everglades
Founded by Marjory Stoneman Douglas and an independent voice for Everglades conservation, Dr. Kushlan served as a member of the board of directors from 2004 to 2012. His engagement focused on board and staff management, finances, litigation, and strategic planning. Friends of the Everglades remains an essential independent voice for Everglades conservation.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center
Dr. Kushlan served as a member of board from 2008-2012 and as president from 2010-2012. The nature center, located on Key Biscayne, Florida, provides environmental education for school children.
Tropical Audubon Society
As the oldest and largest of South Florida’s Audubon societies, Tropical Audubon Society has been a leading voice for conservation for decades. Dr. Kushlan served as a member of the governing board from 2005 to 2010. His focus was on managing conservation policy, developing bird conservation, and the society’s finances and management.