Board Chair
Eric is a former Director of Boulder County Parks & Open Space (retired 2021) where he led the operations, staff, and budget for Boulder County’s nationally-recognized, award-winning department dedicated to the conservation and sound use of the county’s agricultural, natural, and cultural resources. As a former ornithologist, including two years working at the Colorado Bird Observatory (the original name of Bird Conservancy of the Rockies), he is particularly interested in bird habitat management/restoration on both public and private lands. Eric received a B.A. in biology from Swarthmore College and a M.S. in natural resources policy from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. With his newfound time, he’s enjoyed the opportunity to reinvigorate his bird identification skills along the Front Range and wherever he travels.
Treasurer
As the Curator of Ornithology at Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Garth’s research focuses on how recent and ancient environmental changes have affected bird species. Bird species are products of their environment and therefore are constantly evolving in response to environmental change. The response of a species to environmental change leaves lasting footprints in its DNA. Garth uses genetic tools to examine “bird DNA footprints” and determine just how a species or multiple species that make up a modern community have responded to past environmental change.
Secretary of the Board, Executive Committee
Peter is a senior associate with the law firm Hill & Robbins, P.C., where he concentrates on natural resources law, and specifically water law, for public and private entities. Prior to joining Hill & Robbins, Peter was the First Assistant Attorney General for the Federal and Interstate Water Unit of the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. Peter received his B.A. from the University of Illinois and his J.D. from the University of Colorado School of Law. He enjoys numerous and varied outdoor pursuits in the mountains and plains of Colorado.
Development Committee
Eileen is the owner of Dey Consulting, LLC representing oil and gas clients in environmental, regulatory, sustainability, and stakeholder issues and planning. Previously, Eileen worked for ConocoPhillips as the Lower 48 Manager of Sustainable Development and held various manager positions in Environmental, Regulatory and Stakeholder Engagement in the Rockies and Mid-Continent Business Units. While at COP, Eileen served on several boards (Playa Lakes Joint Venture, Northern Great Plains Joint Venture, and Colorado Oil & Gas Association). She worked with industry and agencies on the development and implementation of conservation agreements for several candidate species and developed the ESA Protocol Tool for COP to ensure that the Business Units assess and mitigate species and habitat during all phases of development. She received her BA from University of Colorado, Boulder. Eileen believes that industry can be a vital partner with agencies, NGOs, landowners and various stakeholders to utilize science and best management practices that improve habitat and foster exceptional community relationships.
Development Committee
Jack Ferguson’s family has a long history in Denver that includes Solitaire Food Company, which his Great Grandfather founded. Jack served on the Board of Directors for the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for 40 years, which continues today in an emeritus status. A retired realtor by profession, Jack has also demonstrated a strong passion for avian science and conservation, dating to his early days working with the Museum when he took a personal interest in Black Swifts. That fascination would continue to keep him engaged with Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory leading up to and beyond the discovery of Black Swift nesting locations in Brazil in the early 2000s. Today, Jack enjoys spending time on his farm near Kersey, Colorado.
Geoff is with Point Blue Conservation Science and is located in California. He has extensive experience in bird banding, monitoring, private lands stewardship, fundraising and development. Bird Conservancy has enjoyed previously collaborating with with Geoff and Point Blue on the Avian Knowledge Network and Partners in Flight. His extensive knowledge and experience in bird conservation, partnership programs and more is a tremendous asset to our board.