For over 20 years, I have developed a philosophy and collaborative network of trusted colleagues committed to working for sustainable conservation.
Three pillars guide my work including 1) targeted research to address specific needs, 2) strategic management actions to achieve desired outcomes, and 3) effective capacity building and education to empower local leaders.
Three pillars guide my work including 1) targeted research to address specific needs, 2) strategic management actions to achieve desired outcomes, and 3) effective capacity building and education to empower local leaders.
Research to achieve ConservationCredible research is a keystone for effective and sustainable conservation. As I am dedicated to sustainable conservation, I prioritize research projects, or series of projects, that will yield quality information to inform management and empower leaders. |
Strategic managementThe Monfort Bat Sanctuary, Samal Island, Philippines, is home to over 1.8 million Geoffroy's Rousette Fruit Bats. Since 2006, Waldien has worked with its namesake Norma Monfort (aka Bat Mama) to ensure its protection through effective management. It is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records and serves as a tourist destination and education/training venue. |
Local LeadershipSustainable conservation can only be achieved through the early engagement of local leaders. My conservation research initiatives uses community awareness programs to develop a unified vision for local leaders that leads to training and empowerment of local leaders. |
Biography
Dr. Dave Waldien is a conservation biologist and National Geographic Explorer with over 25 years of experience catalyzing locally led sustainable conservation of the world’s bats. He received his MS in Forest Ecology and PhD in Wildlife Ecology from Oregon State University. He previously led Bat Conservation International, including serving as its Senior Director of Global Conservation and its Interim Executive Director. Under his leadership he repositioned BCI as an effective collaborator that worked with local experts around the world to empower their conservation work. He is currently a Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor of Biology at the College of William & Mary and serves as a Graduate Associate Faculty at Christopher Newport University and an Honorary Research Fellow with Lubee Bat Conservancy and the Harrison Institute. In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate biology and environmental science classes, Waldien has active long-term collaborations with colleagues in Fiji, Kenya, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines as part of the Global Bat Conservation Network (GBatNet), Bat Conservation Africa (BCA), Pacific Islands Bat Conservation Network (PacBat), and the Southeast Asian Bat Conservation and Research Network (SEABCRU). Since 2017 he has served as the IUCN’s Red List Authority for Old World Bats, responsible for engaging bat experts to complete assessments of over 900 bat species to be published on the Red List of Threatened Species. His work with the Red List has been integrated into academic classes and expanded to other taxa.
Dr. Dave Waldien is a conservation biologist and National Geographic Explorer with over 25 years of experience catalyzing locally led sustainable conservation of the world’s bats. He received his MS in Forest Ecology and PhD in Wildlife Ecology from Oregon State University. He previously led Bat Conservation International, including serving as its Senior Director of Global Conservation and its Interim Executive Director. Under his leadership he repositioned BCI as an effective collaborator that worked with local experts around the world to empower their conservation work. He is currently a Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor of Biology at the College of William & Mary and serves as a Graduate Associate Faculty at Christopher Newport University and an Honorary Research Fellow with Lubee Bat Conservancy and the Harrison Institute. In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate biology and environmental science classes, Waldien has active long-term collaborations with colleagues in Fiji, Kenya, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines as part of the Global Bat Conservation Network (GBatNet), Bat Conservation Africa (BCA), Pacific Islands Bat Conservation Network (PacBat), and the Southeast Asian Bat Conservation and Research Network (SEABCRU). Since 2017 he has served as the IUCN’s Red List Authority for Old World Bats, responsible for engaging bat experts to complete assessments of over 900 bat species to be published on the Red List of Threatened Species. His work with the Red List has been integrated into academic classes and expanded to other taxa.
Education
PHD, 2005, Wildlife Ecology, minor Forest Ecology Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
MS, 1998, Forest Ecology, minor Wildlife Ecology Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
BS, 1994, Biology Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR
PHD, 2005, Wildlife Ecology, minor Forest Ecology Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
MS, 1998, Forest Ecology, minor Wildlife Ecology Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
BS, 1994, Biology Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR
Teaching Experience (*Hispanic-serving Institution)
College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA. 08 / 2023 - present
College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA. 08 / 2023 - present
- Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor, Department of Biology
- Associate Graduate Professor, Department of Organismal and Environmental Biology
- Adjunct Professor, STEM Division
- Assistant Professor, Department of Biology
- Adjunct Professor, Department of Biology
- Graduate Research Assistant
Other Professional Experience
IUCN Species Survival Commission. 01 / 2018 – present
Red List Authority Coordinator – Old World Bats, Bat Specialist Group
Honorary Research Fellow
Honorary Research Fellow
Senior Director of Global Conservation
Graduate Research Assistant
Field Biologist
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. 01 / 1995 – 03 / 1995
Wildlife Technician
Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR. 10 / 1992 – 11 / 1994
Wildlife Technician
United States Army, Fort Bragg, NC and Fort Richardson, AK. 09 / 1986 – 01 / 1992
Staff Sergeant
IUCN Species Survival Commission. 01 / 2018 – present
Red List Authority Coordinator – Old World Bats, Bat Specialist Group
- Oversight of the reassessment process for the 925+ species of Old World bats; coordinating & supporting six (6) regional/taxonomic leaders and 50+ assessors to bring the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species up to date.
Honorary Research Fellow
- Managing an international conservation research program in Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
Honorary Research Fellow
- Managing an international conservation research program in Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
Senior Director of Global Conservation
- Over 12 years of progressive leadership: Borderlands Coordinator, Bats & Mines Coordinator, Co-Director of Programs, Vice President of Operations & International Programs, and Acting Executive Director (2x at the request of the Board of Trustees).
- Developed and led collaborative conservation, education, and research initiatives in in Africa, Asia, Latin America, North America, and Oceania.
Graduate Research Assistant
- Dissertation: Population and behavioral responses of small mammals to silviculture and downed wood treatments in the Oregon Coast Range. Department of Fisheries and Wildlife; Advisor: Dr. John P. Hayes.
- Thesis: Characteristics and spatial relationships of day-roosts and activity areas of female long-eared myotis (Myotis evotis) in western Oregon. Department of Forest Science. Advisor: Dr. John P. Hayes.
Field Biologist
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR. 01 / 1995 – 03 / 1995
Wildlife Technician
Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR. 10 / 1992 – 11 / 1994
Wildlife Technician
United States Army, Fort Bragg, NC and Fort Richardson, AK. 09 / 1986 – 01 / 1992
Staff Sergeant
Service & Memberships (Current examples)
2021—present. IUCN Species Survival Commission – Terrestrial & Freshwater Invertebrate Red List Authority.
2013—present. IUCN Species Survival Commission – Bat Specialist Group.
2013—present. IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas.
2019—present. Pacific Bat Conservation Network. Conservation Research Adviser. Founding Steering Committee member. Facilitating and mentoring multinational team of NGOs, academic, and government organizations across Oceania to establish sustainable conservation initiatives on the region’s greatest bat conservation priorities.
2016—present. Fiji’s Bat Conservation Initiative. Conservation Research Adviser. Leading, facilitating and mentoring multinational team from more than five (5) NGOs, academic, and government organizations.
2018—present. Office of Surface Mining – Protecting Bats Steering Committee. Leading steering committee to establish a national Bats & Mines Workshop to be held October 2021 in Louisville, KY.
2013—present. Bat Conservation Africa. Conservation Research Adviser. Founding Steering Committee member. Facilitating and mentoring multinational team of NGOs, academic, and government organizations across Africa to establish sustainable conservation initiatives of Africa’s bats.
2021—present. IUCN Species Survival Commission – Terrestrial & Freshwater Invertebrate Red List Authority.
2013—present. IUCN Species Survival Commission – Bat Specialist Group.
2013—present. IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas.
2019—present. Pacific Bat Conservation Network. Conservation Research Adviser. Founding Steering Committee member. Facilitating and mentoring multinational team of NGOs, academic, and government organizations across Oceania to establish sustainable conservation initiatives on the region’s greatest bat conservation priorities.
2016—present. Fiji’s Bat Conservation Initiative. Conservation Research Adviser. Leading, facilitating and mentoring multinational team from more than five (5) NGOs, academic, and government organizations.
2018—present. Office of Surface Mining – Protecting Bats Steering Committee. Leading steering committee to establish a national Bats & Mines Workshop to be held October 2021 in Louisville, KY.
2013—present. Bat Conservation Africa. Conservation Research Adviser. Founding Steering Committee member. Facilitating and mentoring multinational team of NGOs, academic, and government organizations across Africa to establish sustainable conservation initiatives of Africa’s bats.
Honors & Awards
2019. Veteran Servant Spirit Award. Recognition of outstanding contributions of faculty who demonstrate excellence in supporting Kutztown University’s student veterans/military-affiliated students.
2018. National Geographic Explorer
2019. Veteran Servant Spirit Award. Recognition of outstanding contributions of faculty who demonstrate excellence in supporting Kutztown University’s student veterans/military-affiliated students.
2018. National Geographic Explorer