For Immediate Release: January 27, 2009

Geri Vistein -Conservation Biologist & Coyote Specialist –Joins Project Coyote Team

Larkspur, CA —Conservation Biologist, Geri Vistein has joined California based Project Coyote’s growing professional team of coyote specialists whose mission is to foster peaceful coexistence between humans and coyotes throughout North America. “Ms. Vistein brings a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and passion for coyotes and the natural world,” said Camilla Fox, Project Coyote Founding Director. “We are thrilled to have her join our team and continue her important work in Maine where her conservation efforts involve creative outreach projects, and collaboration with state and federal biologists, non-government organizations, university professors, and talented artists in the community.”

Ms. Vistein received her undergraduate degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana, and her Masters in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont. Her Masters work focused on the conflict over hunting at Cape Cod National Seashore and the social psychology of human belief systems.

While living in Montana she participated in research projects concerning carnivores: The Grizzly Bear DNA Study in and around Glacier National Park, The Elk Calf Mortality Study (determining the carnivores that caused their deaths) in the Blackfoot Valley of Montana, and a Snowshoe Hare Study (in reference to an ongoing Lynx study) in Yellowstone National Park. In addition to her field work in the West, she was employed by Red Lodge Clearinghouse, a collaborative effort in the West that brings diverse groups of stakeholders together. Participants create projects that involve “thinking out of the box” in order to find solutions on behalf of land and wildlife protection.

Prior to pursuing her wildlife degree, Ms. Vistein had earned a Masters in Education. In addition to her experience educating children in the mainstream classroom, she also gave presentations to diverse audiences throughout Maine on behalf of Living Earth Learning Programs out of Boston concerning humane education, environmental and endangered species issues.

“I am honored to be a part of Project Coyote’s team,” said Geri Vistein from her home in Belfast, Maine.

Project Coyote seeks to create fundamental and systemic change in how coyotes and other native carnivores are viewed and treated in North America and is a fiscally sponsored project of Earth Island Institute a, 501(c)3 organization. All donations to Project Coyote are tax deductible. Visit us online: www.ProjectCoyote.org

Check out Ms. Vistein’s article, Coyote—America’s Song Dog Returns to Maine that appeared in Merrymeeting News, the quarterly newsletter of Friends of Merrymeeting Bay, and her Opinion Editorial, It’s Time to Start Respecting Coyotes that appeared in the Portland Press Herald’s Maine Voices column.