Hi! I’m Kevin Burgio, a spatial ecologist, conservation scientist, and science communicator committed to making conservation science impactful and accessible.
My work bridges the fields of spatial ecology, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation. My career spans academia, non-profit, federal, and consulting, and I have researched birds, mammals, parasites, and other taxa. Over the past 15 years, I’ve contributed to more than 35 scientific publications and government reports, and I currently serve as the lead author of Connecticut’s 2025 Wildlife Action Plan. In my various roles, I have collaborated with federal, regional, state, local, and nonprofit partners to advance conservation strategies across scales.
Due to all the federal layoffs, I was recently laid off from my job at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and I am looking for a new permanent position. However, I remain busy as a consultant Conservation Biologist with Terwilliger Consulting and as Chair of my town’s Conservation Commission. I am also a Subject Editor for Avian Conservation and Ecology, where I help ensure new research in avian ecology and conservation planning meets the highest scientific standards. On the side, I lead an informal parrot research group as a passion project.
Science communication is a cornerstone of my work. I’ve shared my research and experiences in outlets like The Washington Post, The Conversation, and NPR, as well as through podcasts like The Story Collider. I believe conservation needs to be as dynamic, inclusive, and innovative as the challenges it faces. And if you can do all that while still laughing about how complicated Bayesian stats and climate change modeling are? Even better.
Science in Action:
Sharing research beyond the lab is central to my work. Explore selected interviews, articles, podcasts, and talks where I connect conservation science with public audiences.
See Media and Outreach ➔
Kevin R. Burgio 
Dear Dr. Burgio, I have historical information I’d like to send to you, but i do not have a correct mailing address. Please send an address so I can forward it back to you, Sincerely Charles Carter
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Charles,
I am sorry I missed this! Can you email me at kevin.burgio@gmail.com?
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I read your co-authored article in the American Scientist recently and, as a fellow Sigma Xi-er and a woman, the changes in research publication are happening very fast…and, for women, equality has always been an issue. I am impressed by the energy and commitment by younger scholars who are becoming entrepreneurs in their efforts to bring science publishing, evaluation and citation into the 21st century. AND the number of new products and innovations they are working to enact – from Authorea to Scite to ……
I am writing the article for the web-based Against the Grain website and I have my own professional interest in these key areas.
Here are my questions:
1, What are your thoughts on scientific publishing needs as open-access peer review, free publication, social media for self-dissemination, and altmetrics for measuring impact, non-traditional publishing platforms. rAre we ready for this?
2. It seems to me that we are seeing a whole new generation of scientists untethered from the ‘traditional’ publication system and willing to experiment and explore more ‘reasonable’ methods. How do you see this evolving to become more inclusive?
3. Any thoughts you’d want to share on Open Science today and where you see it going?
Years ago, I was interviewed by a WSJ stringer who had no background in this topic – and he misquoted me so seriously that I’ve promised myself NEVER to allow that to happen to anyone that I work with! So, I’d appreciate getting your thoughts via email! For the best of both of our sakes!
I would like to get your comments by Tuesday, July 2nd in order to meet my publication deadline.
As soon as the article is published I will see that you are copied on the URL. And, if I’m missing something important, please add additional comments. I don’t want to miss anything important here!
Thank you, in advance, for considering this! The readers of Against the Grain – publishers, librarians, writers, academics – will benefit from your participation.
My best regards,
Nancy K. Herther
University of Minnesota
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I am sure I saw a pair of the parrots in Guilford Ct. drinking out of a puddle. It was about 15 years ago. There were two so I don’t think it was an escaped pet.
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You very likely saw Monk Parakeets, a species originally from South America but started building up populations in coastal Connecticut and many other places in the world after so many pets were released or escaped. I did my undergraduate research on populations in West Haven and Stratford!
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We’ve had a flock of 15 – 20 birds that look just like your parrots near Lyons,
CO every spring for a few days each year for 15 years. They don’t hang around long but look exactly like the Carolina Parakeets. FYI
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Craig, do you have any photos or detailed observations of these parrots?
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I’m a bird watcher also. Your aunt Jean was telling me about you today and I was very impressed. She works for my mother
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