- Email: rvaldez@npca.org
Ryan Valdez serves as Director for Conservation Science & Policy for National Parks Conservation Association. He facilitates the application of multidisciplinary science focused on air/climate, energy, landscapes, water and wildlife toward conservation strategies helping to protect US national parks.
Ryan previously worked for Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute for over 10 years in the field, classroom, laboratory and museum settings. He has managed ecological programs throughout the Americas and East Africa and holds a strong interest in applied GIS. He frequently uses on-line interactive maps to share the story of protecting national parks.
Ryan founded the George Mason University Kenya Wildlife Study Abroad program in 2010, which has been a life-changing experience for numerous university students pursuing degrees in conservation biology. As a STEM career and academic mentor, Ryan has helped many students develop strategies toward employment opportunities and graduate level education.
Ryan holds degrees in conservation science from three universities: Texas A&M University (B.S.), Yale University (MFS) and George Mason University (Ph.D.).
For further information, please visit http://npcamaps.org or ryanvaldez.com.
Maps by Ryan Valdez
- Parks in a Changing Climate
- Proposed Lone Star Coastal National Recreation Area Partners and Supporters
- African American Nation Builders in Our National Park System
- Parks in Peril
- US Coastal National Parks
- Stonewall National Monument
Online Resources by Ryan Valdez
Articles by Ryan Valdez, Ph.D.
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Blog Post
Why Science Matters for National Parks
