Dr. Jim Duncan

James R. Duncan, born in Montréal, Québec, received his B.Sc. Honours in Zoology from the University of Guelph in 1982, B.Ed. Biology/Chemistry from Queen's University in 1983, and his M.Sc. from McGill University in 1985 for research on inbreeding and mate choice in American Kestrels (Falco sparverius). While at McGill, Jim organized and conducted evening public owl hoots with retired High School principal Robert McEwan. Since then his research and natural history interests have focussed on owls. He moved to Manitoba in September 1985 to study the ecology of Great Gray Owls (Strix nebulosa) under Dr. Robert W. Nero.
Jim obtained his Ph.D. (1992 University of Manitoba) for research on the influence of prey availability and snow cover on Gray Owl breeding dispersal. After graduating, Jim managed and helped establish the Saskatchewan (1992-94), and then the Manitoba (1994-present) Conservation Data Centres. He currently holds the position of Chief of Biodiversity Conservation, Manitoba Wildlife Branch.
Jim believes that scientific research that engages the public has the conservation punch needed today. Hence Jim and his wife Patricia organized and coordinated a nocturnal owl survey that has involved over 500 volunteers in Manitoba since 1991. They state that this and other opportunities to involve the public in research personalizes people's relationship with nature. "From that involvement comes a more rounded environmental ethic" proposes Jim.