Craig van der Heiden, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
craig@regionalconservation.org

Other Information Resume

Escaped from his native range in Zimbabwe, southern Africa, Craig has become naturalized in South Florida over the last nine years. Leaving behind a successful career in ecotourism, Craig entered graduate school at Florida Atlantic University in 2003 with the aspiration to contribute to the conservation of rare species through both science and hands-on management. In 2005, he completed his Masters degree focusing on modeling the habitat requirements of reintroduced black rhino in the woodland savannas of Malawi. In August 2012 he received his Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from FAU for work on the distribution dynamics of crayfish populations in the Florida Everglades. A versatile and experienced manager of multifaceted projects, Craig brings knowledge of complex logistics as well as the science of conservation biology to IRC. 

As Chief Executive Officer, Craig carries the responsibility for developing and implementing IRC’s strategies and managing overall operations. This includes leading his staff in ecological restoration projects involving diverse communities and endangered species, deepening and extending collaboration and research through networking among government, academic and private land-owner partners, and fostering public awareness of IRC’s programs,