Overview

In A Journey Toward Environmental Stewardship, Mike Zagata recounts his varied career working as an environmentalist for nearly fifty years. He held an Assistant Professorship at the University of Maine-Orono's School of Forest Resources; was Field Director for The Wildlife Society; Audubon's Director of Federal Relations; Program Development Officer for the National Research Council (National Academy of Sciences), where he formed a committee to address renewable natural resources issues; and tenure with Tenneco, Inc., a Fortune 50 Company. While there he graduated from the University of Virginia's Darden Business School's The Executive Program. Mike was promoted to Director of Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S) for Tenneco Oil E&P. From there he became VP of EH&S forTransco Energy Co. Under his leadership, the companies received the National Wildlife Federation's Conservation Achievement Award, Ducks Unlimited's Silver Teal Award, and The Conservation Fund's Calder Award. He then served in Gov. Pataki's cabinet as Commissioner (CEO) of New York's Dept. of Environmental Conservation. After leaving the DEC he helped found and served as president of the Conservation Alliance of New York, and recently retired as President and CEO of the Ruffed Grouse Society--an international wildlife conservation organization promoting sound forest management for the benefit of both hunted and non-hunted wildlife. His awards/recognition include a letter from President Carter thanking him for his help in passing the Fish & Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980 (later known as CARA), and induction into the Hall of Fame by the offshore energy industry for his work at Tenneco on wetlands mitigation banking and Rigs to Reefs (converting retired offshore energy production platforms into functioning artificial reefs), and into the New York State Outdoorsman's Hall of Fame.

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Journey.... is a must read for the lay person and professional alike. Zagata has done it all: professor and ecological researcher; officer for national wildlife and conservation organizations; Director and VP of environmental health and safety for major energy companies; Commissioner of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. So, he has labored and led both as a policy creator and enforcer. He certainly knows as well that tricky interface between political world and the best aims of a life-long fisherman, hunter and conservationist. In sum, he is a wise and balanced teacher of the principles of environmental stewardship. Alan B. Donovan, Ph.D. President Emeritus, SUNY-Oneonta You need only read through the first three paragraphs of the author's opening section to realize that Mike Zagata has a unique perspective on the environmental movement over the past forty-plus years. A Journey Toward Environmental Stewardship chronicles a remarkable career in conservation that included roles as teacher, environmental policy lobbyist, corporate environmental leader, chief environmental regulator, and CEO of a national conservation group. Having worked with Mike, my respect for him is best expressed by someone else who also reported to him: Mike espoused a higher standard. He did not accept that it was enough to merely operate in compliance with the law. He understood that sometimes the right thing to do is not just the minimum that one can get away with, but a bit more. He understood that a company could be environmentally responsible and still be profitable. Mike believed that it was the duty of a responsible corporation to be straightforward and honest in its dealings with regulatory agencies. He understood that corporations need to maintain a reserve of public good will. Throughout the book, the reader will get insights into how environmental accomplishments were attained, how opportunities were missed, and be challenged to think about what is yet to be done. Along the way Zagata offers frank, honest opinions and insights into what motivates decision-makers and influences organizational cultures, both good and bad. Stu Buchanan Partner ERM Consulting

Journey.... is a must read for the lay person and professional alike. Zagata has done it all: professor and ecological researcher; officer for national wildlife and conservation organizations; Director and VP of environmental health and safety for major energy companies; Commissioner of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. So, he has labored and led both as a policy creator and enforcer. He certainly knows as well that tricky interface between political world and the best aims of a life-long fisherman, hunter and conservationist. In sum, he is a wise and balanced teacher of the principles of environmental stewardship. Alan B. Donovan, Ph.D. President Emeritus, SUNY-OneontaYou need only read through the first three paragraphs of the author's opening section to realize that Mike Zagata has a unique perspective on the environmental movement over the past forty-plus years. A Journey Toward Environmental Stewardship chronicles a remarkable career in conservation that included roles as teacher, environmental policy lobbyist, corporate environmental leader, chief environmental regulator, and CEO of a national conservation group. Having worked with Mike, my respect for him is best expressed by someone else who also reported to him: Mike espoused a higher standard. He did not accept that it was enough to merely operate in compliance with the law. He understood that sometimes the right thing to do is not just the minimum that one can get away with, but a bit more. He understood that a company could be environmentally responsible and still be profitable. Mike believed that it was the duty of a responsible corporation to be straightforward and honest in its dealings with regulatory agencies. He understood that corporations need to maintain a reserve of public good will. Throughout the book, the reader will get insights into how environmental accomplishments were attained, how opportunities were missed, and be challenged to think about what is yet to be done. Along the way Zagata offers frank, honest opinions and insights into what motivates decision-makers and influences organizational cultures, both good and bad. Stu Buchanan Partner ERM Consulting

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