Costa Rica

An Interview with Taylor Edwards

Meet Taylor Edwards. A conservation biologist at the University of Arizona, Taylor combines wildlife ecology and molecular biology in an emerging field called conservation genetics. Aside from his enthusiasm for hiking and scuba diving, Taylor is an aficionado of reptiles and amphibians. Taylor will join our Costa Rica field workshop in Monteverde.

What were you most passionate about as a teenager?

I was on course to be a biologist at a very early age and by high school was volunteering at the city zoo. What really influenced my direction as a teenager was learning about conservation issues and recognizing that I could affect them through my actions and my career. In particular, the rate of rainforest destruction throughout the world's tropical areas was of major concern (and still is). I became active in the Rainforest Action Network without ever having been to a rainforest. Once I entered my first rainforest at age 20, it reconfirmed the importance of what I was working to preserve.

Do you have a hero or mentor?

I cannot remember how old I was when I first read Jane Goodall's "In the Shadow of Man”, but the National Geographic Special "Among the Wild Chimpanzees” first aired just as I was entering high school and ever since then I have been enamored with Dr. Goodall's passion and courage. Jane Goodall continues to be an out spoken conservationist and I believe she has made a difference in world.

What aspect of your work as a conservation biologist are you most proud of?

I am proud to be able to share the work that I do as a scientist with others through speaking with the public and teaching students. In conservation biology, the science is only effective when it can be translated into action.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Being a scientist means always having the opportunity to discover new things. The more that I know, the more questions I ask.

What is an important lesson you have learned through your work?

Conservation by necessity is interdisciplinary and there are always multiple perspectives to consider. Although I may have an idea of what should be conserved and how, it is important to listen to the points of views of others. I find that the best solutions generally come from cooperative efforts.

What do you enjoy most about working with teenagers and about participating in the NGSE Costa Rica trip?

The students in this program have the ability to change the world and are at a point in their lives where they are laying a foundation for what they feel is important. I like sharing with them how conservation, even in a place that is far away from home, can be a part of their everyday life.

See taylor in our Costa Rica Video

Apply now for this program or call us for more information at 877-877-8759.