Mark F. Spreyer, currently Executive Director of the Stillman Nature Center in Illinois, received his B.S. in forestry from the University of Michigan in 1978 and his M.A. in biology, with an emphasis on ornithology, from St. Cloud State University (MN) in 1985. His graduate research was on the habitat of Great Gray Owls in Minnesota.

As an ornithologist with the Chicago academy of Sciences, Spreyer organized and directed Chicago's Peregrine Falcon release program.

In 1989, he returned to Minnesota where he worked with the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and other conservation organizations. In 1995, after completing work on a 5,000-square-foot raptor exhibit for the Science Museum of Minnesota, Spreyer migrated back to Illinois to become the Director of the Stillman Nature Center in Barrington.

His articles on birds of prey and introduced species have appeared in various publications, including Birder's World. Spreyer also has written for and appeared in educational videos.

Email: stillnc@flash.net