Hampstead, North Carolina, United States
The following introduction was written by the National Press Foundation for international journalists participating in one of my workshops. With NPF's words I feel vetted. Author and award-winning conservation educator Andy Wood is a fourth-generation biologist and graduate of Texas A&M University where he studied wildlife management, natural resource conservation, and museum science. Andy literally grew up with a nature center in the coastal Connecticut community where he was raised. After attending the center’s nature camps and weekend programs in his early youth, Andy graduated to junior staff member and eventually summer caretaker of the nature center’s wildlife collection and 54-acre sanctuary. A lifelong educator, Andy joined the modern environmental movement with Earth Day 1970, helping organize and conduct stream cleanups, paper drives, and river monitoring. These formative experiences channeled his conservation career, which includes 12 years as Curator of Education for the North Carolina Aquariums, 11 years as a State Education Director for the National Audubon Society, and 28 years as a volunteer nature commentator for public radio station WHQR. A collection of his commentaries was published in his first book, Backyard Carolina (2006). Today, Andy volunteers as director for COASTAL PLAIN CONSERVATION GROUP (CPCG)—a non-profit environmental organization, based in Pender County, NC, working to protect biodiversity and prevent extinction of rare and imperiled plants and wildlife, with attention to the southeast NC ecoregion. In this role Andy has all but single-handedly prevented the extinction of two species of freshwater snails, Magnificent Ramshorn (Planorbella magnifica) and Greenfield Ramshorn (Helisoma eucosmium). These imperiled species, known only from a handful of freshwater ponds associated with tributary streams connected to the lower Cape Fear River, are now presumed gone from the wild but not yet extinct because the last living members are still in Andy’s captive care. Their threat is saltwater intrusion due to river dredging, and CPCG is working to hold responsible agencies accountable for their river-altering actions that resulted in the death and decline of Cape Fear River bottomland swamp forest. Andy is also a consulting conservationist with HABITATS GARDENS, LLC, providing advice and guidance to community members negatively impacted by environmental harms resulting from habitat-altering activities. His on-the-ground focus includes habitat monitoring and management services with attention to protecting biodiversity.
Provide habitat monitoring, management, restoration, and conservation, with attention to protecting rare and imperiled plants and wildlife. Clients include land trusts, private land owners, and individuals needing help with land and water use conflicts.
Coastal Plain Conservation Group (CPCG) is a tax-exempt organization providing conservation education and ecosystem research focused on rare and imperiled plants and wildlife and their habitats in and around longleaf pine, pocosin, bottomland swamp, tidal marsh, and barrier island habitats. CPCG focal activities are designed and implemented to protect two species of critically imperiled freshwater snails (Magnificent ramshorn and Greenfield ramshorn), Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Carolina Gopher Frog, Spotted Turtle, Diamondback Terrapin, Swallowtail Kite, Painted Bunting, Venus' Fly Trap, and the coastal plain habitats that support these and other species.
Responsible for developing and implementing environmental education opportunities that increased public awareness about Audubon and North Carolina’s birds, as strategies to generate support for positive conservation outcomes that protect plant and wildlife habitats.
Directed and managed the Aquarium education department with attention to expanding program offerings to reach new audiences, especially rural school students. Designed and implemented numerous novel marine and aquatic conservation education programs including the Nation’s first public Aquarium surfing class as a strategy to attract new, young audiences to beach and ocean ecology programs. Served as Aquarium spokesperson regarding matters of environmental interest. As head of interpretation, wrote story-lines and interpretive information for exhibits. Helped craft and guide strategic plan for expanding network of Aquarium facilities.