- Zoos: A Historical Perspective from Smithsonian Institution Libraries
The National Zoological Park is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums.
AZA
Francisco Dallmeier, Ph.D., MAB Director
Monitoring
and Assessment of Biodiversity Program
Francisco
Dallmeier was born in Caracas, Venezuela, where at an early
age he discovered a life-long passion for living creatures.
His interest in biology carried him from extensive fieldwork
with the Institute of Tropical Zoology in Venezuela to the
Smithsonian’s Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity
Program (MAB).
Since 1986, he has directed this program’s evolution and tremendous growth. Now consisting of a network of more than 300 research plots throughout North America, Latin America, Asia, and Africa, the MAB Program combines research, training, and public education and outreach to forge a powerful tool for the conservation of biodiversity around the world.
In
significant contributions to the science of conservation biology,
Dallmeier has successfully integrated conservation principles
and adaptive management into resource development ventures.
From a mining project in Madagascar to energy projects in
Peru and Gabon, the MAB Program, its international counterparts,
and companies with a commitment to resource protection are
creating prototypes to reduce the development “footprint”
in ecologically sensitive areas and restore landscapes scarred
from past resource extraction.
In 2002, Dallmeier joined Secretary of State Colin Powell’s delegation to Gabon to discuss the U.S. initiative on the conservation of Central Africa biodiversity and protected areas. Through the MAB Program’s biodiversity project in Gabon’s Gamba Complex, he remains an active participant in this initiative.
In addition to his responsibilities as Director of the Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity Program, Dallmeier was appointed Interim Director of the Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives in September 2002, and head of the National Zoo’s Science Commission Task Force in January 2003.
He is author, co-author, or editor of more than 130 publications, including a remarkable two-volume study of forest biodiversity in the “old” and “new” worlds published in England, a special issue of the journal Environmental Monitoring and Assessment devoted to the MAB Program’s Peruvian project, and a delightfully illustrated educational book for young people on biodiversity in the rainforest.
Dallmeier earned his B.S. in biology from the Central University of Venezuela and his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, also in biology, from Colorado State University. He spends his free time hiking and scuba diving with his wife and two children and participating in projects at his children’s school. He also hones his skills as a professional photographer.
