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Back in 1992, VCE co-founder Chris Rimmer hired a quiet and capable conservation biologist into the research department at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS). Steve Faccio immediately proved his mettle and versatility. Now, more than 30 years later, it's time to wish this VCE co-founder a happy full retirement.
Few biologists can match Steve’s breadth of field skills. He’s braved cliff ledges to band Peregrine Falcon nestlings, meticulously led the Forest Bird Monitoring Program, coordinated Vermont’s 23 North American Breeding Bird Survey routes, and investigated bird-friendly maple syrup practices. In 2000 he broke new ground with a project to implant tiny radio transmitters in Ambystoma salamanders, discovering that they overwinter in subterranean rodent tunnels. He documented methylmercury bioaccumulation in vernal pool–breeding Wood Frogs and Spotted Salamanders, then launched the Vermont Vernal Pool Monitoring Project, created the Vernal Pool Atlas, and led the first-ever Vermont Fairy Shrimp Atlas.
Steve's work has illuminated the benefits of thoughtful forest stewardship and yielded evidence-based guidelines for protecting life zones around ephemeral wetlands. It has also inspired similar projects throughout the Northeast and adjacent regions.
Steve not only embodies our motto, "Uniting people and science for conservation,” it just so happens he coined the phrase too. He has contributed immensely to VCE’s robust success, and we are forever grateful.
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