Biography

Trained as both a biologist and anthropologist, Peter has taken a big-picture view of the complexity of societal/cultural change. While others may work as scientists or activists or artists, Peter has tried Territories Natural history, flora and fauna, watershed ecology.

Balancing conservation of natural resources with economic development, especially for water, rangelands, forests, and wildlife. Harmonizing placed-based (local) governance with places-based and global governance and economic networks. Extensive work in environmental impact analysis, conflict resolution, and consensus building with native American, Third World, and corporate communities to bridge these realms as scientist/activist/essayist. He works on all socioeconomic levels and with highly diverse peoples and ecosystems, believing that important beneficial change can come from many unexpected and untapped human sources. He enjoys public service and served in elected office for eight years.

Peter has consulted with corporations on improving their environmental practices and long-term visions of what kind of world they want to create. He has a special sympathy toward producers of commodities (loggers, farmers, ranchers, fishermen, miners) as they are the link between the materials flows of our economy and the natural world. His teachers have included endangered squirrels, oil-slicked cormorants, rhesus monkeys and gorillas. He believes music and poetics are central needs of human happiness.