Chapter Program: “Galveston Canids, a Quest for Truth” by Ron Wooten

ZOOM REGISTRATION LINK:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvdumpqDwvGNZBu06PBwZLyrqDncEz32S7

Ron Wooten always wanted to write an article on the Galveston coyotes. His first direct encounter with the coyotes on the west end of Galveston Island was when he was surrounded by a pack in an open field after chasing them off the body of the family’s dog, Scruffy. Observing the behaviors, it was very apparent that the pack was not a typical coyote pack. He knew something about these animals was unusual, and worth pursuing, but It took 5 years to find someone who would listen to him. Finally, Dr. Dave Mech from Princeton University agreed to get involved, commissioning a study leading to the understanding of the Galveston Island coyotes, and their relationship to the red wolf, an animal declared extinct in the wild nearly 40 years ago.

Ron  is an Outreach Specialist with the Galveston District Corps of Engineers,  where he started as a Regulatory Specialist. The route to Corp of Engineers included positions as a Fisheries Biologist with the National Marine Fisheries service, an Advanced Placement Environmental Science teacher at Ball High School, the owner of his own landscape and irrigation company, and as a photojournalist with Galveston Monthly. He holds a bachelors of science in wildlife and fisheries sciences,  and a Masters in Marine Resources management from TAMUG.

Ron and his wife of almost 34 years, Trisha, have lived in Jamaica Beach since 1990. They have two adult daughters, Allison and Emily, both of whom were raised in Galveston.

NOTE: Coastal Prairie Chapter programs are free and open to the public and chapter members via Zoom.   Advance registration is required through this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEvdumpqDwvGNZBu06PBwZLyrqDncEz32S7

TMNCPC members only are invited to attend in-person at the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land. Advance registration via SignUp Genius is required.

The Texas Master Naturalist program is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

[TMNCPC members in attendance should record their Advanced Training (AT) hours under “AT: Chapter Meeting-Coastal Prairie”, and the VSP hours for the business meeting under “Chapter Business: Chapter Meeting”.]