Karin R. Schwartz, Phd, Msc Email & Phone Number

Providence, Ri

Manage animal collection records, permits and licenses, transactions,animal shipments. Species360 Zoological Information Management Local Administrator.Assist the Director of Conservation with local and international field conservation programs.

Providence, Rhode Island

I have responsibilities for the traditional registrar duties such as Local Administrator for Species360 Zoological Information System (ZIMS is a complex application that includes Husbandry, Medical, and Population Management modules), permits and licenses, transactions and animal shipping, and work within the Conservation Department to assist with local and international field programs that the zoo supports (local endangered reptile field work, Cheetah Conservation Fund in Namibia, Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program in Papua New Guinea, Snow Leopard Trust, based in Seattle). I have applied my experience as a registrar, biological database manager, and conservationist to support RWPZ’s conservation mission. Best of all, there are tree kangaroos, cheetahs, snow leopards, and giant otters (one of only 10 AZA zoos to have them) here so that I can continue my participation as Data Management Advisor to the AZA SAFE Tree Kangaroo of Papua New Guinea, Marsupial and Monotreme Taxon Advisory Group, SAFE Cheetah, and the IUCN SSC Otter Specialist Group.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

With a background as a Zoo Registrar and Founder and Co-Administrator of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Institutional Records-Keeping Course, I offer animal records-training workshops using Species360 Zoological Information Management System for international zoological associations and individual zoos. I now am branching out to offer assistance to conservation programs for species that have both ex situ and in situ components (head-starting; reintroduction; conservation translocations; rescue/rehab/release).

Overall responsibility for editorial content of volumes in the Elsevier book series Biodiversity of the World: Conservation from Genes to Landscapes. This includes coordination and supervision of the Volume Editors to ensure the scientific quality of the volumes in the Series. I will commission new volumes that focus on science and conservation of threatened species and work with editors on their book proposals to the publisher. I will be responsible for editing and reviewing each submitted chapter to ensure that the contributions are of high scientific and professional quality.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

WildTrack has developed a conservation monitoring tool that is accurate, non-invasive and cost-effective. Footprint Identification Technique (FIT), a novel probabilistic, algorithm-based method relying on the natural variation occurring in the footpad morphology of a species, and uses morphometrics from digital footprint images to identify individual animals of endangered species by species, individual, sex and age-class , thus providing maps of their numbers and distribution - the first essential pre-requisite for their protection and conservation. Wildtrack formed collaborations to initiate the ConservationFIT project in which a unique coalition of conservation partners work together to make FIT available as a new monitoring tool, beginning with three elusive carnivore species; the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and the jaguar (Panthera onca). As the Scientific Coordinator of Ex-Situ Partners, I brought expertise in ex situ animal management and liaised with the zoo community who was invited to participate in submission of footprint photographs for individuals of the focal species critical for the development of the algorithms for the FIT program. I coordinated the participation of 30+ zoos in the ConservationFIT program, including zoos in the United States, Canada, Colombia, Argentina, and Austria. I was the founder and editor of the ConservationFIT Ex Situ Partner News, a quarterly newsletter to keep ex situ partners informed on technology and development processes, and link them to the in situ partners that will use FIT to monitor animals in the wild.

Milwaukee, Wi

I was one of four editors including Dr. Lisa Dabek (Senior Editor), Woodland Park Zoo, Dr. Peter Valentine of James Cook University in Queensland, Australia, and Jacque Blessington, longtime Program Leader for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) Matschie's Tree Kangaroo Species Survival Plan for a book on Tree Kangaroos: Science and Conservation. This tree kangaroo book is in the book series Biodiversity of the World: Conservation from Genes to Landscapes. As a longtime Data Management Advisor for the AZA Tree Kangaroo SSP, I also was lead author for the chapter on role of zoos in tree kangaroo conservation. My co-authors include Dr. Onnie Byers and Dr. Phil Miller of Conservation Planning Specialist Group, Jacque Blessington, and Brett Smith, Curator, Port Moresby Nature Park in Papua New Guinea. https://www.elsevier.com/books/tree-kangaroos/dabek/978-0-12-814675-0

Wheeling, West Virginia Area

Karin Schwartz was the founder and led the development of The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Institutional Records-Keeping Course (IRK) which was taught as part of the AZA Professional Training Schools from 1998 through 2017 with Karin as Co-Administrator. A total of 440 students completed the course in 19 sessions over the years, including 31 international students from 14 countries. IRK has evolved from a course that was developed to fill a basic training need for records-keeping using the International Species Information System (ISIS; now Species360) but limited by the functionality of ISIS’ early applications (Animal Records Keeping System and Collection Management System) and lack of standardization twenty years ago, to a course offering theory, mechanics, and best practices of animal records-keeping with relevance to global conservation, using Species360's Zoological Information Management System, the most widely used animal information system that brings together the global zoo and aquarium community. The impact of IRK has been substantial as students in many roles at their institutions benefit from learning about many aspects of records-keeping and animal management that affect husbandry and health care, population management for maintaining genetically diverse and demographically stable populations, facilitation of animal transfers, and exchange of information that is so critical in today’s world where species are disappearing at an unprecedented rate.

Otjiwarongo, Namibia

Coordinate interns in ongoing research projects contributing to the mission of CCF. Projects include home range assessment of rewilded cheetahs, genetic analyses of the local population from fecal DNA, health of the wild population, use of camera trap photos for species surveys, and success of the rewilding program. I also provided training on data management processes (incorporating the Zoological Information Management System into their current data management processes) for husbandry, health care, research, and maintenance of studbooks for their Anatolian Shepherd Breeding Program, goats & sheep, as well as assist with the International Cheetah Studbook. In addition, I worked with CCF Executive Director Laurie Marker to review and edit chapters for a book on cheetah conservation and science (published in 2017). I am the lead author for the chapter entitled “The role of zoos in cheetah conservation: Integrating in situ and ex situ conservation action"​. My co-authors include the Chief Conservation Officer at the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), species coordinators from EAZA’s Cheetah Endangered Species Program (EEP), AZA’s Cheetah Species Survival Plan (SSP®), ZAA’s Cheetah Australasian Species Management Program (ASMP), and researchers from the Pan African Association of Zoos and Aquariums (PAAZA) and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.

Fairfax, Va

I am the founder and Co-Administrator for the AZA Institutional Records-Keeping Course taught as part of the Professional Training Schools.This course was part of a Master's program in Zoo and Aquarium Leadership through George Mason University for 9 years..

George Mason University, Fairfax, Va

Conservation Biology

Fairfax, Va

I taught BIOL 318 Conservation Biology, an upper level undergraduate course with the goal to provide principles and tools for preserving biological diversity. Conservation biology is multidisciplinary drawing upon diverse fields including biology, ecology, business, political science, sociology, law, economics, education, and engineering. I focused on basic principles which borrow from these integrative disciplines – and converge through present-day, ongoing conservation efforts. The course culminated in a mock Population and Habitat Viability Assessment where students assumed various stakeholder roles and worked through the process of conservation action planning to develop a recovery plan for the focal endangered species: lowland tapir.

Arlington, Va

Worked in the Global Programs Department on a conservation fellowship at Rare (a Conservation Measures Partner) to work on the development of an evaluation database to assess their Pride campaigns (conservation programs with community-based solutions in the world’s areas of highest biodiversity – from Latin America and the Caribbean to Africa and India to Asia and the Pacific islands). Rare emphasizes the importance of social science in working towards human behavior change – in their beliefs on the value of nature and in their ability to protect nature without sacrificing basic life needs. The experience at Rare gave me valuable insight into the human dimension of conservation that is so critical for success in these programs and provided me with a good background for consideration of new tools that will incorporate the human dimension into conservation planning and action.

Brookfield, Illinois, United States

Directed the processes and approaches for collecting, managing and analyzing the biological data sets compiled on a wide variety of taxa and information variables for the CZS Animal Programs. Worked to manage databases within the institution as well as participated as database manager for national Species Survival Plan studies (Okapi SSP, Gorilla SSP, Tapir TAG, etc.). Evaluated existing database and data collection functions - supervised the Registrar position. Co-administrator of AZA Institutional Records-Keeping Course. Participated on development team for Zoological Information Management System. Acted as reviewer for Chicago Board of Trade grants for international conservation programs and also as reviewer for Zoo Biology journal. Actively participated at the international level for records training and capacity building, on Conservation Breeding Specialist Group working groups, Reintroduction Specialist Group and Tapir Specialist Group (participated in global conservation action planning).

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States

Managed animal records through the use of ISIS software and ensured the maintenance and quality of animal records for use in the management and development of husbandry and breeding programs. Provided data for cooperative ventures at regional and international level. Monitored and facilitated all animal transaction paperwork. Monitored legislation for compliance with wildlife laws. Responsible for permits to comply with local, national and international regulations. Performed records training for keeper and curator staff. Initiated development of Institutional Records-Keeping Course and acted as co-administrator for the course. Acted as Registrar Advisor to AZA Programs - Cheetah, Tree Kangaroo SSP, Tapir TAG, Monotreme and Marsupial TAG. Involved in international conservation programs through Conservation Breeding Specialist Group and Tapir Specialist Group.

St. Louis, Mo

Seasonal position in the Children's Zoo during summer and winter breaks from undergraduate study at University of Missouri.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Conservation Biology

Activities and Societies: Coed intramural soccer Environmental Science and Policy Graduate Student AssociationDissertation: Integration.

Master'S Degree, Animal Behavior

Activities and Societies: University Concert Band - Principal BassoonistThesis: Individual Odors and Mate Discrimination in the Prairie.

B.A., Biology, Zoology

Activities and Societies: UMC Women's Field Hockey, KOMU TV Station-sponsored Co-ed All-Star Basketball traveling team, YMCA Volunteer.

High School Diploma

Activities and Societies: Played bassoon in Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, played Glockenspiel in Marching and Pep Bands, Acapella Chorus.