Meet Julie, Project Wildlife's New Executive Director

[I was going to write a short article introducing Julie Pokrandt, Project Wildlife's new Executive Director. But, what she wrote about herself is much more insightful and revealing of the person. She omitted her research experience in Costa Rica and work with the Monteverde Conservation League and the Children's Eternal Rainforest, her experience as ED for the La Jolla Friends of the Seals, and her graduate work at UCSD. Ruth]

Joni Ciarletta releases a Western Gull, Nov 2002, in Carlsbad  (photo by JD Woodward)

For the first two weeks of 2003, amid the information of impending war, I have seen a steady stream of environmental news: due to global climate change, bird and butterfly migration patterns are shifting world-wide; the great numbers of Monarch butterflies visiting California have thinned; three thousand Olive Riddley Turtles perished off India's coast; dolphin-safe fishing requirements may be eased for the US tuna industry. Though I do remain hopeful that the geo-political situation will change, that war is preventable, my thoughts anxiously linger on these small bits of "nature" news. And I ask myself, "Are these the signs that our natural world (weather patterns, ecological systems, earth's biodiversity) and our treatment of it have gone into an irreversible pattern of decline? Is there still hope for nature? For our wildlife? 

A juvenile sea gull receiving treatment for an eye infection at Gladys Gilliam-Soeterik's aviary in Fallbrook  (photo by J. Pokrandt)

These are the questions that fuel my motivation for my job--I am the new executive director of Project Wildlife. For the past six months, I have become acquainted with hundreds of individuals who display unlimited amounts of compassion to San Diego's wild birds and mammals. These folks are equally devoted to tending to a pigeon's broken leg as to a golden eagle's rescue and rehabilitation. They are moved to address the growing number of local human-wildlife conflicts and offer realistic, everyday solutions to everyone on how to co-exist with wild animals. 

To those of you I have already met, please know that you have inspired me. When I see your work, my hope for the human and natural world endures. To those of you I will meet, I look forward to learning about your unique contribution to this rehabilitation community. To all of you, please know that I feel extremely fortunate to serve, as I did in Costa Rica, an organization in whose mission I firmly believe. Our efforts in San Diego potentially could provide others in California, and beyond, innovative ways to live with, respect and appreciate wildlife.

-- Julie Pokrandt

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Back to Nature newsletter is published quarterly by:
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4343 Morena Blvd., #7
San Diego, CA 92117

Project Wildlife is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, volunteer organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of San Diego County Wildlife. Project Wildlife is also dedicated to the education of San Diego County residents on local wildlife and how to coexist with local mammals and birds.

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