ABOUT JOHN EVELAND

Forester, Wildlife Biologist, and Ecologist

 

Special Expertise: Big Game Management, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Management, Wildlife & Forest Ecology, Earth Systems & Environmental Quality, Endangered Species, Energy/Environment Relations

 

Synopsis. By profession a forester, wildlife biologist, and ecologist.  Of the three big game mammals in Pennsylvania (white-tailed deer, black bear, and elk), John Eveland conducted the original statewide research and wrote the first state management plans that were instrumental in the recovery and success of two of these species -- black bears and elk.  Regarding white-tailed deer (Pennsylvania's third big game mammal), he conducted research to assess the scientific efficacy of the Pennsylvania Game Commission's deer-management program. Scientific experience includes studies for the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, university, state legislature and government agencies, industries and private organizations.  Conducted scientific research on wildlife, forest ecology, natural ecosystems, endangered species, and energy/environment relationships within over 30 states and Provinces of Canada throughout North America.  Assessed environmental impacts, designed habitat remediation, and selected operating sites for some of the world's largest energy-development projects.

 

Education. 

     • B.S. Forest Resources Management, The Pennsylvania State University (1968).

         Graduated with number one academic honors as College Marshall at Penn State; member three national academic honor societies for biology, science, and forestry.

     • M.S. Wildlife Management, The Pennsylvania State University (1970).

       Conducted statewide black bear research project.

     • Regarding Ph.D. Ecology, The Pennsylvania State University (1974). 

       Conducted research on ecology of PA’s elk herd as faculty responsibility, and elk/brainworm relationship as doctoral research. Completed all academic  and research requirements, but degree was not conferred because of residency requirement.  Issue was resolved by PSU Graduate School although degree remains unconferred.

 

PENNSYLVANIA FOREST AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION

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Black Bear Research and Management.  As a biologist at The Pennsylvania State University, conducted original statewide black bear research program in Pennsylvania. Underwritten by USDI and Pennsylvania Game Commission. The study included live-trapping, tagging, and radio-telemetry tracking of bears to determine the status of the statewide bear population, and to answer critical ecological questions.  Determined that there were less than 2,000 bears in the state, and that the population was declining. Wrote the first statewide bear management plan for the PGC, which was immediately implemented in 1970 by closing the state bear hunting season in two separate years, subsequent reductions in the length of the season from one week to a maximum three-day season, the issuance of bear licenses for hunters, the classification of state bear management zones, and the statewide system of bear check stations during hunting seasons.  To accurately age bears, implemented the Pennsylvania microscopic method of annular (tooth-ring) analysis using premolar teeth from living bears.  John's first statewide bear management plan remains virtually in effect to this day, and Pennsylvania's bear population has experienced a remarkable recovery from an estimated low of only 1,600 bears in 1969 to today's high of up to 25,000 bears.

 

Elk Research and Management.  Conducted the first scientific research of Pennsylvania’s elk herd as a member of the Penn State faculty. Underwritten by PGC and DER (now DCNR).  Research focused on population dynamics, range and movements, and basic ecology of the herd.  Discovered the brainworm disease that had cut the herd by 70% within a 10-week period -- explaining why the elk population had not increased nor prospered for nearly a century. Created a multidisciplinary team of parasitologists, immunologists, and veterinarians at Penn State to fully understand the dynamics of the brainworm disease and to develop a preventative serum and method of inoculation.  Wrote the first state elk management plan including the currently-operating elk-harvest lottery system for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources and Pennsylvania Game Commission.  Today the herd prospers at about 1,000 elk.  Elk research was presented to the national elk symposium at the University of Wyoming in Laramie.  A reprint of his publication is available upon request.

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PA Wilds and Elk Visitor Center.  In 1998, conceived and designed master plan for Eastern Elk Park (to be called PA Wilds) and Elk Country Visitor Center – gaining state approval to construct and operate the facility.

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Deer Research and Management. Determined the scientific validity of the Pennsylvania Game Commission's deer-management program at the request of Senate leadership (2001), Office of the Governor (2006), House Game & Fisheries Committee (2007-09), and House of Representatives members and leadership (2011-present).  Designed deer management and habitat enhancement plans at the request of PGC's Board of Commissioners (2010). Prepared a series of remedial deer-management bills for the Pennsylvania Legislature (on-going).

 

INDUSTRY AND PRIVATE-SECTOR RESEARCH SCIENTIST

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Energy and Environment. With Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Pittsburgh, Energy Impact Associates, and Environmental Systems Consulting conducted research on ecology, environmental systems, and energy development throughout North America. Served as a scientist and project manager for the environmental field studies on some of America’s largest energy development projects, such as the world’s largest coal-fired power plant at Four Corners in New Mexico, its proposed 3,000 megawatt equal near the Kaiparowits Plateau in the Canyonlands of Utah, the Clinch River Nuclear Breeder Reactor in Tennessee, Bethlehem Mines in Pennsylvania, the vast Sierra Pacific coal mining project in central Wyoming, Tucson Gas and Electric power generating and electric transmission projects in Arizona, site selection and ecological studies for a nuclear power plant in Manitoba, alternative energy studies in Nevada (natural gas, coal gasification, and solar power), and other power generating stations -- such as Sierra Pacific’s coal-fired power plant in Nevada for which he personally selected the site.  Conducted studies on energy and environment in 31 states and Provinces of Canada.

 

Wildlife and Forest Ecology. Conducted research and developed management plans regarding ecology, wildlife populations, habitat, biodiversity, and communities and ecosystems in over 30 states and provinces from Florida to Alaska.  Special expertise in Eastern forests, including black bear, elk, and white-tailed deer; Southwest deserts and plains, including pronghorn, desert bighorn sheep, wild horses, coyotes, bison, and falcons and golden eagles;  Rocky Mountain West, including elk, mule deer, and mountain lions; and boreal-north ecosystems, including  wolves, moose, caribou, grizzly bear, dall sheep, and bald eagles. Designed baseline environmental monitoring programs and conducted impact studies on endangered species in virtually every major ecosystem throughout North America. For U.S. Forest Service studied long-term effects of small mammals on gypsy moth populations and relationship to forest ecosystems in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York.  Served for years as an ecology and endangered species guest instructor at Colorado State University for an International School for Environmental Management in the training of environmental managers from throughout the world.

 

AN EDUCATOR, ARTIST, AND MUSICIAN

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As an Educator. Public speaker and prolific writer. Developed I&E multi-media hunter safety material and environmental education programs for schools and state agencies throughout America.  Developed master plan for Pennsylvania's first public-school-mandated environmental education curriculum. Created The Terra Cor Institution, a nonprofit organization dedicated to science, education, environment, and the arts.

 

As an Artist.  Nationally acknowledged as an award-winning contemporary photographer of outdoor America – specializing in the artistic depiction of wildlife, wilderness, and the sea.  His work has been featured in over 500 exhibits and invitational showings throughout the United States, and has been distributed throughout the world.  Work selected by the U.S. Department of State for The White House and as a diplomatic gift for high-ranking international dignitaries. Honored with over 40 regional and national awards, and the feature of newspaper, radio, and television specials, including a PBS television documentary on his life as a scientist and artist.

 

As a Musician.  An accomplished musician, having attended the Temple University School of Music where he trained with Seymour Rosenfeld, then principal trumpeter of the Philadelphia Symphony.  Recipient of the John Phillip Sousa Award for music excellence (trumpet).

 

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