Areas of Expertise: Ornithology; imperiled species conservation; Pinyon Jay conservation; beaver management and coexistence; southwest warbler conservation; ponderosa pine forest, mixed-conifer forest, and piñon-juniper woodland management; riparian and wetland management; invasive species management; ecosystem restoration; applied ecological research; and bridging the gap between science and on-the-ground conservation implementation.

Peggy has a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont, and a Master of Science degree in Wildlife Biology from Louisiana State University.  She has over 20 years of experience in wildlife conservation, land management, and ecosystem restoration in New Mexico, Texas, North Dakota, Massachusetts, Washington, and Vermont.  Prior to joining Defenders of Wildlife, Peggy worked for Santa Fe County in New Mexico as the Natural Resource Management Specialist, at the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish as the Nongame Avian Biologist, and at the City of San Antonio in Texas as a nature preserve manager.

Peggy has co-authored many documents related to land management for imperiled species including the NM Avian Conservation Partners’ document "Incorporating Bird Needs When Thinning Piñon-Juniper Woodlands", the Pinyon Jay Working Group’s "Conservation Strategy for the Pinyon Jay", the Pinyon Jay Species Account in the New Mexico Bird Conservation Plan, and the Grace’s Warbler Species Account in the New Mexico Bird Conservation Plan.

As the New Mexico Representative, Peggy focuses on imperiled species and ecosystem conservation.  Peggy manages Defenders’ Pinyon Jay, Southwest Warblers, and Water for Wildlife campaigns (including beaver conservation and coexistence), and assists with many other campaigns.