Office of the Secretary

For Immediate Release: June 5, 2001

Contact: Mark Pfeifle 202-208-6416

Career Biologist Jim Tate Named Science Advisor
to the Secretary of the Interior

(WASHINGTON) - Dr. James Tate -- a career biologist with diverse experience in private industry, education, and government -- will become Science Advisor to Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton.

"Jim Tate is a veteran biologist and public policy expert who has devoted his career to conservation and wildlife protection efforts," Norton said today. "Jim's background and experience make him the perfect addition to our team."

Since he began his conservation career more than 30 years ago as an associate professor at Cornell University and assistant Director of the highly respected Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, Tate has worked extensively on endangered species issues. For the past two years, he served as Advisory Scientist for the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory on projects including Sage Grouse and other environmental issues.

From 1991 to 1999, he served Senators Malcolm Wallop, Dirk Kempthorne, and Mike Crapo. Tate was a professional staff member for the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. From 1988 to 1991, he was a wildlife biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's division of Endangered Species.

Tate also was a branch chief and policy analyst with the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement from 1984 to 1988. He served as a manager of environmental affairs for Atlantic Richfield's coal subsidiary in Denver, Colorado from 1974 to 1984. In Wyoming, Tate oversaw environmental compliance permitting for the Coal Creek Mine and Black Thunder Mine, which won numerous environmental awards.

Dr. Tate received his PhD in Zoology from the University of Nebraska with a thesis on the foraging behavior of woodpeckers. His experience also includes teaching for the National Audubon Society at the adult education facility off the coast of Maine and serving as editor of the Society's Blue List of declining species. He has held offices and served on boards of scientific and conservation organizations including The Wilson Ornithological Society and the Wildfowl Trust of North America.

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