LEE ANN JOHNSON LINAM – Wildlife Biologist – Wildlife Diversity Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

After completing a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University, Lee Ann began her career with Texas Parks and Wildlife as a biologist on the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area in Port Arthur where she served as a waterfowl and wetlands biologist.  While at Murphree, she also served as Alligator Species Leader and developed the first regulations for Texas’ new alligator season and farming enterprises.  During that time she also took a one-year leave of absence to attend graduate school in Australia and protect Crocodile Dundee from crocodiles.

 In 1990 Lee Ann transferred to Austin, where she eventually served as the Endangered Species Program Leader.  During those volatile years she participated in diverse working groups to address concerns of the Endangered Species Act and oversaw the development of the first endangered species management guidelines for private landowners.  Today she balances life as a mother of two with her part-time position in the Wildlife Diversity Program, where she coordinates citizen science projects, such as Texas Horned Lizard Watch, Texas Whooper Watch, and Texas Amphibian Watch, designed to involve the public in monitoring species of concern.