Owner/Partner
Systems Testing
Research/Development
Business Strategy
Bio:
Merlin Benner is a Certified Wildlife Biologist® and has a broad range of experience as a professional wildlife biologist in research, management, and instruction. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Unity College in Maine, and his Master of Science degree from Tennessee Technological University.
Merlin has worked for Tennessee State Parks, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory.
Merlin’s wide range of experience includes work with white-tailed deer, elk, turkeys, bats, alligators, feral pigs, turtles, bass, waterfowl, raccoons, rattlesnakes, herps, and songbirds. His primary expertise is in the relationships between wildlife and their habitats. Other interests include photography and writing.
In 2007, founded Wildlife Specialists – a natural resource consulting company. Under his direction, this company has steadily grown to a highly-successful team of 15 permanent experts and up to 25 seasonal employees. Merlin has served on many statewide committees and organizations, including The Wildlife Society, The Pennsylvania Biological Survey, the PABS Mammal Technical Committee, the PABS Ornithological Technical Committee, the PA Wild Resource Conservation Board, and Partners-in-Flight. He is currently the president of the Pennsylvania State Chapter of The Wildlife Society.
Other skills and certifications: Business development, aerial imaging, natural resource management, Certified Wildlife Biologist (R)