Walker Back Into the Field

Story by Zack Walker

December 2, 2019

Alumni: Zack Walker
Degree: BS Wildlife Science

Graduation: 1998

Business Title: Statewide Nongame Bird and Mammal Program Supervisor

Business: Wyoming Game and Fish Department

After graduating with a BS in Wildlife Science from Purdue's main campus, I attended Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne to obtain a MS in Biology from Purdue. My thesis involved determining the spatial ecology of the Timber Rattlesnake in Southern Indiana. After graduate school, I started my professional career by working with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) as the Statewide Deer Research Biologist. In this position, I modeled Indiana's deer herds and provided other game management recommendations. I worked this position for three years, but wanted to get back into the field and away from the office. In 2003, I changed positions to become the IDNR's first State Herpetologist. In this position, I got back to my "herp roots" and helped monitor and manage Indiana's reptiles and amphibian species. The most memorable species I worked with in this position was the Hellbender, and helped get long term research started for this species.

After working as the IDNR State Herpetologist for 6 years, I decided I would like to see more of the country and experience the West. I accepted a position working for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) as their Herpetological Coordinator. This position was very similar to the one held in Indiana, and was responsible for coordinating the Wyoming's herpetological efforts. In this position, I worked primarily with montane amphibians and the Wyoming Toad. After working this position for an additional 6 years, I was promoted to supervise the Nongame Bird and Mammal Program for the WGFD. In this position, I supervise three permanent nongame biologists, and up to 14 contract employees. My most notable achievement in this position to date has been the reintroduction of black-footed ferret to their site of initial rediscovery in Meeteetse, WY.

Alumni Stories Alumni Awards Research Areas

Graduate Opportunities Connect Give a Gift

Featured Stories

Bob Auber presents from a screen titled "A Day in the Life." In the foreground, there are two graduate students watching.

‘Plants to people:’ Bob Auber’s path from the Center for Plant Biology to oncology

On Friday March 22, Bob Auber returned to Room 116 in Whistler Hall to stand behind a podium in...

Extension wildlife specialist Brian MacGowan holds his Hoosier Wildlife Award plaque in front of a forested landscape.

Extension Specialist Brian MacGowan Receives Hoosier Wildlife Award

Brian MacGowan, Purdue extension wildlife specialist, has been honored with the Hoosier Wildlife...

Lawson (right) receives the Women of Color STEM community service award from Kendall Harris, senior director of equity advancement at YMCA of the Triangle, and Angela Stribling, radio host (WHURfm California) and host and producer of nationwide Awareness Campaigns such as Celebrating Black History Vignettes.

Shaneka Lawson Honored for Equity Efforts, Community Service

Dr. Shaneka Lawson, a USDA Forest Service Research Plant Physiologist and FNR adjunct assistant...

Emily McCallen holds an eastern hellbender salamander during her PhD research at Purdue.

Emily McCallen Earns Chase S. Osborn Early Career Award for Wildlife Conservation

After taking her first biology class in community college, Emily McCallen was hooked. As a...

Trent Osmon speaks to a group of students in the forest

Trent Osmon Named 2023 FNR Distinguished Alumnus

Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources is proud to honor Trent Osmon with its 2023 FNR...

FNR Names Dave Case as 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient

Purdue Forestry and Natural Resources is proud to name Dave Case as its 2023 FNR Lifetime...