About Us

In North America we often take for granted the ease of obtaining resources needed for field work. In many of our neighboring islands of the Caribbean and in Latin America those resources are difficult to acquire, if not impossible. Although we share migrant bird populations, monitoring and management strategies are much better funded in the United States. If we want to protect these birds, we need to recognize the need for international partnerships. Optics for the Tropics, Inc. was formed to facilitate partnerships between research and conservation groups in the wintering and breeding grounds.

Publication:

To facilitate our fund raising efforts here are several links for logos, images, and banners. The four links for 3"x2.375" graphics are suitable for print. Two are in black&white and two are color. They are all 900 by 675 pixels.

Color Logo

• OT_Logo_plain.png ( 468x100 png)
• OT_Logo_plain.psd ( 468x100 psd - photoshop)
• OT_Logo_small.png ( 100x74 png)

Color banner

• OT_Logo_banner.png ( 468x60 png)
• OT_Logo_banner.psd ( 468x60 psd - photoshop)

Black & White -

• OTad_bw.jpg ( 69Kb 900x675)
• OTad_bw.gif (116Kb 900x675)

Color -

• OTad_color.jpg (75Kb 900x675)
• OTad_color.gif (136Kb 900x675)

Officers

President / Founder: Joni Ellis

Joni Ellis graduated from the University of Florida, College of Health and Human Performance in 1993 with a Bachelor’s in Recreation and Natural Resource Management. She currently works for Florida State Park Service as a Parks Program Development Specialist writing grants and overseeing volunteer programs. During Joni’s tenor with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, she developed and implemented bird conservation education strategies, assisted with the Great Florida Birding Trail, chaired the education committee of the national PIF steering committee, and attended meetings of the Southeast PIF working group. Joni is a member of the Society of Conservation and Study of Caribbean Birds SCSCB. Her passion for birds is where this organization began.

Contact her at .

Vice President: E. J. Williams

Emily Jo Williams graduated from the University of Georgia, School of Forest Resources in 1986 with a Master of Science in Wildlife Biology. She currently works for the USFWS, Migratory Bird Program in Atlanta leading bird conservation efforts. During EJ’s tenor as a Sr. Wildlife Biologist with Georgia Department of Natural Resources Nongame Wildlife Natural Heritage Section, she chaired the Southeast PIF working group and national Management Steering Committee, developed an international partnership with the Cayman Islands to conserve endemic and migratory species, implemented model management plans for neotropical migratory birds, and still found time to be involved with management, monitoring, survey, research, land acquisition outreach and education.. She brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the board.

Secretary: Dean Demarest

Dean Demarest graduated from Mississippi State University with a Masters of Science in Wildlife Ecology. Dean is the Acting Deputy Chief for the Migratory Bird Program, Southeast Region of the US Fish and Wildlife Service coordinating activities dealing with Migratory Birds across the Southeast, and ensuring that the Service is engaged with other stakeholders in migratory bird conservation. He represents the Service in several national bird initiatives, and still maintains participation in Partners In Flight on regional and national levels. Dean has worked for Tall Timbers Research Station, the Biological Resources Division of USGS at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, and also served as Southeastern Region Coordinator for Partners in Flight where he was responsible for assisting in coordinating local and regional efforts of diverse partners involved in all facets of bird conservation, including habitat management, monitoring and outreach efforts. Dean represented Partners In Flight in national and international forums, seeking collaboration with partners in Mexico, the Caribbean and Canada, and elsewhere in Central America.

Technical Support: William R. Ellis

Will has worked in and around computers since the mid '70's. With a B.S. in electrical engineering, Will is currently hanging his own shingle for web site development and web applications.