James L Pease

Jim has nearly 4 decades of experience as a front-line interpreter, professor of interpretation, and writer and consultant on many interpretive and environmental education projects. He has taught thousands, from youth through senior citizens, in formal and non-formal settings, written dozens of publications for professionals and lay people alike, and communicated by a regular statewide radio program, TV segments, podcasts, and websites. His experience includes teaching interpretation to undergraduate and graduate students for 24 years, research on impact of interpretive and education strategies, over two decades as an Extension Wildlife Specialist, director of Iowa’s NatureMapping and Master Conservationist programs, and fifteen years in youth development and natural resources. He has taught and conducted projects internationally in Costa Rica, Brazil, Panama, Russia, and Taiwan. He has received numerous awards for his work, including the prestigious Master Interpreter from the National Association for Interpretation and Distinguished Science Teacher Award from the Iowa Academy of Science. He is now retired from ISU, has emeritus status in the Natural Resource Ecology and Management Department at Iowa State University and is active speaking, writing, and consulting on numerous projects. He can still be heard on Iowa Public Radio in his monthly wildlife program on “Talk of Iowa” and leads national and international natural history trips to Alaska and Central and South America.  He is active and in leadership on many conservation-related boards and groups.