About Us
Founded on the principle that conservation is everyone’s responsibility, The Ricketts Conservation Foundation works with private and public partners to study, protect, and enhance the populations of at risk species while working to understand how our lands can be sustainably managed.
Joe Ricketts
A native Nebraskan, entrepreneur and philanthropist Joe Ricketts founded The Ricketts Conservation Foundation to support the conservation of wildlife and wilderness areas, promoting the importance of environmental stewardship as an enduring value. Central to Mr. Ricketts’ belief is the idea that conservation is everyone’s responsibility.
Joe Ricketts
A native Nebraskan, entrepreneur and philanthropist Joe Ricketts founded The Ricketts Conservation Foundation to support the conservation of wildlife and wilderness areas, promoting the importance of environmental stewardship as an enduring value. Central to Mr. Ricketts’ belief is the idea that conservation is everyone’s responsibility.
Walter Wehtje, Ph.D.
Although he grew up in Connecticut, Dr. Wehtje has worked in the Western USA for most of his professional career. He has a Ph.D. from the University of California – Riverside and has conducted research in several U.S. states, Canada, Mexico, Peru and Mongolia. Since joining the Ricketts Conservation Foundation in early 2018, Dr. Wehtje has worked to expand RCF’s commitment to conservation and working with partners within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and adjoining western states.
Vincent A Spagnuolo
Hailing from New England, Vincent started his career in wildlife studying loons in New Hampshire. He then shifted his focus to the recovery of the Massachusetts common loon population for his master’s research at Harvard University. Vincent has led the study of loons in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem since 2013 and joined the Ricketts Conservation Foundation in the fall of 2018 to continue this research. He works in close collaboration with RCF’s state and federal agency partners and contributes to loon research and management throughout the Rockies and other parts of the species’ range.
Vincent A Spagnuolo
Hailing from New England, Vincent started his career in wildlife studying loons in New Hampshire. He then shifted his focus to the recovery of the Massachusetts common loon population for his master’s research at Harvard University. Vincent has led the study of loons in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem since 2013 and joined the Ricketts Conservation Foundation in the fall of 2018 to continue this research. He works in close collaboration with RCF’s state and federal agency partners and contributes to loon research and management throughout the Rockies and other parts of the species’ range.
Arcata A. Leavitt
After she completed her degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Science at Oregon State University, Arcata found her way to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem loon study as a seasonal technician. Now in her third year on the loon study, Arcata has developed a larger role with field operations and research. In addition to her role on the loon study, she has taken a lead in RCF’s avian bycatch research in Yellowstone National Park and assists with the Ricketts Conservation Foundation’s songbird banding projects.
Katie E. Low
After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Zoology and Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences from Oregon State University in 2016, Katie joined the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem loon study as a seasonal technician. Katie now leads her own graduate research at the University of New Hampshire studying cyanobacteria in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The goal of her study is to track the movement of a naturally-produced neurotoxin (BMAA) through freshwater food webs. In conducting her research on lakes in the region, Katie has been able remain a part of the loon study and the Ricketts Conservation Foundation has provided her operational and logistical support with her graduate research.
Katie E. Low
After receiving her bachelor’s degree in Zoology and Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences from Oregon State University in 2016, Katie joined the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem loon study as a seasonal technician. Katie now leads her own graduate research at the University of New Hampshire studying cyanobacteria in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The goal of her study is to track the movement of a naturally-produced neurotoxin (BMAA) through freshwater food webs. In conducting her research on lakes in the region, Katie has been able remain a part of the loon study and the Ricketts Conservation Foundation has provided her operational and logistical support with her graduate research.