Rich Kostecke

About Rich Kostecke

Hello, I’m Rich and…I have felt a connection to nature since I was a toddler exploring tide pools, and looking for interesting rocks on family walks, and watching deer and raccoons in the backyard. Growing up, that connection was solidified during family road trips out west to visit our National Parks, during which my sisters and I were incentivized to keep quiet, pay attention to the world around us, and spot wildlife while exploring awe-inspiring landscapes. During my early years in college, I did not know exactly what I wanted to do with my life, but I knew I loved nature and wanted to be outside, which led me to major in biology/ecology. An ornithology class during my last semester opened my eyes to the world of birds, not just the obvious and colorful ones, but also the small, nondescript, secretive ones who so often go unnoticed. I was hooked! It was a whole new world with something to be discovered in every bush, pond, and tree. Little did I know at the time, that ornithology class would change my life, shaping the course of my career by sparking a passion for birds that continues to this day. From that point forward, I did everything I could to learn more about birds, their ways and habitats. The more I learned, the more I understood the challenges faced by birds and by nature in general in a changing and rapidly developing world. Birds led me to a broader conservation ethic. If I wanted to conserve and protect them, I also had to conserve the lands and waters, the natural systems they (and we too) depend on. To do so, I had to go beyond just being outside and counting and observing birds. I had to:• Use my knowledge and expertise to influence policy and management to solve real world problems.• Lead on the ground conservation initiatives. • Strategically cultivate win-win solutions for birds/nature and for people. Because we conserve and protect what we know and love, I am motivated to share the joy and wonder I find in birds and nature in hopes of demystifying conservation issues and sparking a similar passion in others.

Experience

1. Director of Science and Stewardship

   Hill Country Conservancy

   Sep 2024 — Present · Austin, TX, US

Education

• The University of Kansas

  BS, Biology (Systematics and Ecology)

  1991 — 1995

• North Dakota State University

  MS, Zoology

  1997 — 1998

• Texas Tech University

  PhD, Wildlife Science

  1999 — 2002