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Gail
Y. B. Lash, Ph.D.
Nevin
Lash, ASLA
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Dr. Lash uses her organizational, analytical, and (fun and effective!) people skills to do community development, ecotourism planning, and zoo design. She focuses her biological and economic policy background to work with people worldwide to create environmentally-sensitive and culturally-sensitive development which conserves natural ecosystems while enhancing the lives of people close to the land. Her work has taken her to Madagascar, Belize, Indonesia, and Ecuador. She has presented at conferences in Belize, Ecuador, Thailand, Brazil, and The United Nations.
As a Community Planner, Gail brings to Ursa eleven years of experience in ecotourism planning, specializing in community-based ecotourism development and natural resource economics of communities in and near private and public forest reserves and parks. Working with individuals, community focal groups, and agencies, Gail facilitates participatory consensus of community goals and developmental options to uplift human spirits, economies, and the natural environment.
As a Zoo Design Biologist, Gail brings to Ursa thirteen years of work experience in zoos: eight years as an Animal Keeper at Houston Zoological Gardens and Los Angeles Zoo with many species, and five years at Zoo Atlanta as a Biologist coordinating the design and construction of naturalized habitats for zoo animals and visitors. She integrates her knowledge of captive animal husbandry, behavioral design criteria and her skills in evaluation and research design when working on Ursa zoo projects.
Additionally, her theatrical experience has contributed to the design of creative and interactive interpretations of conservation concepts for the general public. Using her training in theater, Gail has written and acted in conservation skits, and has given many conservation education talks to students and the general public. Gail presents conference and university lectures on zoo design, animal behavior, and ecotourism planning, and represents The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) as a Research Associate.
