Peggy Callahan
Founder, Executive Director
A native of Rochester, MN, Peggy first became interested in canines through her family dogs who were her constant companions. Inspired by a reply to a letter she had sent to a wolf biologist asking for a job at age eight, Peggy earned a degree in Biology from Carleton College and began working for the "Wolf Project" in August 1985. For five years she managed the colony for research, focusing on refining chemical immobilization techniques for use in the field. In addition to her wolf time, Peggy also assisted with studies involving Black Bear, Red Fox, White-tailed Deer and Wolves in the field, including assisting with the Isle Royale wolf captures in 1989 and 1991. When federal funding for the Wolf Project ceased in 1991, the Wildlife Science Center was created by Peggy to keep the facility open. After three years of intensive building and program planning, the Wildlife Science Center opened it's doors to the public as a non-profit education and research facility.
Publications by Peggy Callahan

Bob Ebsen
Education Director
Bob joined the WSC staff in the fall of 2001, after spending the last seven years working at Long Lake Conservation Center as an education instructor. Bob is a licensed science teacher with lots of experience teaching and writing curriculum.

Danielle O'Neill
Assistant Education Director

Danielle taught high school science in Maine for 11 years before joining the WSC staff. She has a Master’s degree in ecological teaching and learning.

 

Matt Row
Animal Care
Matt came to us from the University of Minnesota and was hired during the summer of 2006 after spending 2 years as our intern. Matt lives at the WSC's Linwood facility and provides animal care to the resident wildlife at both campuses.

Joy Fusco
Administrator
Joy joined the staff full time after serving in a variety of capacities including board member, volunteer and baby bear nanny. Joy handles everything from the finances to program scheduling and can even be found teaching or wrangling wolves.

Mike Buckman
Resident Caretaker
Mike started as an intern in June 2001 and moved in as the Forest Lake campus' Caretaker that September. Mike has had experience handling white-tailed deer and Canada Geese and currently works as an Animal Control Officer for his 'day' job. He provides animal care and anything else that needs doing evenings and weekends at the Center.