Al took a few minutes recently to answer some questions for us!
Age? 69
Hometown? Groton
Where were you born and raised? I was born in Glasgow, Scotland. I grew up in Groton Heights.
Education/degrees? I have my BS in Geology, Oregon State. I have my Masters in GIS and Remote Sensing, UCONN.
How long have you worked at DPNC? I started as a volunteer in 1994.
What is your current position? Publications and IT.
What’s the best part about your job? I love the diversity of activities, from the simplest to the most complex.
What’s the best part about the DPNC? The best part is working with great people who are also stretching their own possibilities to achieve something in their area.
What do people ask you most often when they find out you work at a Nature Center? I think many people are interested in seeing and exploring the Coogan Farm, our newest site.
What surprises you about your job? I guess it is kind of an after the fact surprise but looking at a project that seemed insurmountable before and is now completed and functioning as if it had always been there is a reflective surprise.
Favorite animal or plant, and why? Weeds. Especially, I love native plants that manage to compete against invasives, stay in balance with their neighbors and provide habitat to other creatures.