Director of Science and Conservation
Carter has been with the Turner organization since June of 2000. He currently serves as the Director of Science and Conservation for Turner Enterprises, Inc. and the Turner Institute of Ecoagriculture. He earned a B.Sc. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from South Dakota State University in 1993, and M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Wyoming in 1995 and 1998, respectively. Prior to joining the Turner organization, Carter worked for the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee.
As a senior scientist with the Turner organization, Carter coordinates science, research, and conservation planning activities on Turner Ranches. He oversees a diverse array of natural resource related projects ranging from native species conservation to habitat restoration to water rights and permitting. Current conservation efforts include work on Rio Grande and westslope cutthroat trout, Blandings turtle, prairie wetlands, desert bighorn sheep, arctic grayling, prairie birds, and riparian restoration. Research activities are centered around advancing native species conservation, as well as the role of bison in maintaining healthy grassland ecosystems and providing quality protein products. Carter has co-authored several book chapters and technical articles, and serves as affiliate faculty at South Dakota State University, University of Nebraska, and New Mexico State University, among others.
Inspired by the natural wonders around us, Carter’s professional motivation is quite simple – “To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering” (Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac).