Taking initiative and sticking to a project have been high values. I started in conservation in 1984 by coordinating, and then publishing, Pennsylvania's first breeding bird atlas, at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. During thirty-one years with the Pennsylvania Game Commission I worked with many dedicated people across the country working toward the goals of conservation. Opportunities included strategic planning, land acquisition, research coordination, publications, grants management. We recovered three birds of prey: Bald Eagle, Osprey, and Peregrine Falcon. I also supported regional collaborations (Northeast Motus network), contributed to many research and monitoring projects. Retirement from full-time employment opened up the opportunity to serve as President of the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology, which I was a founding member.