Why We Give – Larry Master
Larry Master
Conservationist and wildlife photographer Larry Master joined the natural heritage network in 1980 after completing doctoral and post-doctoral studies at the University of Michigan, signing on as coordinator and zoologist for the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. As chief zoologist for 19 years for both The Nature Conservancy and NatureServe, Dr. Master oversaw the development of the natural heritage network’s central zoological databases. He had previously directed the Conservancy’s first Regional Heritage Task Force, started the Vermont Natural Heritage Program and New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau in his office, and staffed a regional support center for 13 Northeastern natural heritage programs.
Dr. Master co-authored the seminal 1998 report, Rivers of Life: Critical Watersheds for Protecting Freshwater Biodiversity, which helped trigger awareness about both the richness of and the threats to the United States’ freshwater biodiversity. Author of numerous other publications, he also contributed three chapters to Precious Heritage: The Status of Biodiversity in the United States. Named a National River Hero by the River Network in 2006, he recently volunteered to co-lead a successful upgrade to NatureServe status ranking methods that developed a rank calculator.
Dr. Master serves on the local boards of a half-dozen conservation organizations and participates in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Adirondacks. When not traveling, photographing wildlife and natural history subjects, conducting bat and other surveys for New York DEC, or enjoying family and four young granddaughters, he resides with Nancy, his wife of 41 years, and a small menagerie of animals in Lake Placid, New York.
Donate and Your Gift Will Be Matched
This video series coincides with our Donor Challenge: a generous group of supporters will match every dollar of every donation up to $75,000. A $50 donation becomes $100, $250 becomes $500, and $500 is worth $1,000! Click here to contribute to the Donor Challenge, and help NatureServe sustain the benefits we gain from a diverse and resilient natural world.
