Balanced Ecology
| File:BEI logo.jpg | |
| Founded | 2007 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Dr. Oranit (Orie) Gilad |
| Focus | Wildlife and Habitat Conservation |
| Location | |
| Method | Grassroot, Scientific Research, Public Education |
| Members | Balanced Ecology is a non-member organization |
| Employees | All volunteer staff |
| Website | www.balancedecology.org |
Balanced Ecology, Inc. (BEI) is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization dedicated to the use of science and education to increase public knowledge of wildlife and habitat conservation and promote sustainable coexistence between people and nature. The organization was founded in 2007 to address unique conservation challenges in Texas, its home state, as well as other locations.[1]
The organization's mission statement is to promote sustainable coexistence between people and nature through scientific research and public education.
Balanced Ecology emphasizes a balanced approach to conservation by promoting collaboration between interest groups such as state and federal agencies, academic institutions, conservation organizations, landowners, and other interested individuals, and by taking into consideration habitat, wildlife and human activities.
Balanced Ecology is an all-volunteer organization and all funds are used exclusively for the direct advancement of its mission.
History
Balanced Ecology was founded in 2007 by Dr. Oranit (Orie) Gilad. Orie, a Conservation Ecologist, has spent over 15 years working on wildlife related projects around the world [2]. Her work in western Texas with mountain lions and desert bighorn sheep [3] has put in focus the unique aspects of wildlife conservation in Texas, a state where 97 - 98% of all land is privately owned. Orie believes that only through a collaborative effort between intereted parties and by taking into consideration the needs of landowners as well as wildlife, progress can be made.
Dr. Orie Gilad was born and raised in an agricultural community in Israel. She served in the Israeli Army as an Artillery Training Officer and at the age of 21 came to the United States. Orie graduated from Texas A&M University in 2006 with a doctorate in Zoology [2] and founded BEI a year later. In addition to her work with BEI she is an Adjunct Professor of Biology at Austin Community College [www.austincc.edu/ogilad/] and a Captain in the US Army working as a Zoologist/Entomologist in the Department of Preventive Medicine in Fort Hood, Texas.
Texas Mountain Lion Conservation Project [3]
Texas Mountain Lion Population Dynamics [4]
The project addresses the unique land situation in Texas and works to identify areas where mountain lions are protectec (source areas), areas where mountain lions are killed (sink areas) and areas where the cats are allowed to maintain a stable population and disperse through (stable areas).[4]
Conserving Nature's Footprints
References
- ^ [1]
- ^ Oranit Gilad's bio
- ^ Gilad, O., 2006. Behavioral ecology and conservation of large mammals: historical distribution, reintroduction and the effects of fragmented habitat. PhD Dissertation. Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
- ^ Cougar Management Guidelines Working Group, T. Beck, J. Beecham, P. Beier, T. Hofstra, M. Hornocker, F. Lindzey, K. Logan, B. Pierce, H. Quigley, I. Ross, H. Shaw, R. Sparrowe, and S. Torres. 2005. Cougar Management Guidelines. WildFutures, Brainbridge Island, WA.