David Wimpfheimer
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Biologist, Professional Naturalist, Nature Guide
Photographer, Writer
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Post Office Box 782 Point Reyes Station, California 94956
415 663-1363
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David Wimpfheimer was born and raised in the cement labyrinth of New York City. His introduction to nature was the man-made oasis in the midst of all the steel, cement and brick, Central Park. The 843 acres is home to eight bodies of water, 26,000 trees and has tallied 275 species of birds. However, these wonders were lost on David as a child. "As far as I was concerned, I grew up with pigeons and seagulls."
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His parents took him on a tour of Canada's Maritime Provinces when he was eight years old. He was introduced to Atlantic Puffins, on a boat trip in Nova Scotia. The "clown of the ocean" did not leave a lasting impression.
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In the summer of David's fifteenth year, he spent nine weeks camping in Montana, Alaska and Western Canada. It was here, on numerous excursions through amazing habitat, David not only discovered an awesome world of nature, he recognized his direction in life.
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David was given his first pair of binoculars for a graduation gift. An entire new world opened for him. He then realized there were more than just Rock Pigeons in Central Park. After highschool, he embarked on his first professional nature adventure. A thirty-five day backpack excursion on the Appalachian Trail in New England. He then started college in Beloit, Wisconsin where he graduated with a BS in Biology.
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Although David is concerned with environmental threats and aspired to work with endangered species, his path in life was clear, to teach and carry out interpretive work as a naturalist.
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Before David turned freelance, he was employed by the Mono Lake Committee, American Museum of Natural History, Holy Land Conservation Fund, Point Reyes Bird Observatory and Kern River Research Center.
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He also worked for the National Park Service in Arches National Park, Utah and Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota. Then fate brought him to California and the Point Reyes National Seashore in the early 1980's.
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David has worked as a professional guide for twenty-five years. Although his research and studies have taken him from seabird rookeries in Alaska, to the forests of the Sierra, deserts of the Southwest, and raptors in Egypt, his heart remains at home in wonderfully diverse, West Marin, California. David makes his home in Inverness with Susan, who often assists on nature outings (and co-compiles the CBC.) Their house is minutes away from the 71,000 acres comprising Point Reyes National Seashore and overlooks the south end of Tomales Bay.
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David's nature excursions are from a generalist's point of view. Even though David is most passionate about birds and the majority of his excursions are geared toward teaching and interpreting the language of the avian world; he is just as comfortable and enthusiastic educating humans about all the wonders of nature. From whale-watching expeditions to wildflower forays, David takes great pleasure in guiding people on treasure hunts. David's seasoned focus and knowledge, make for an enjoyable and educational outing.
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David also volunteers his time and energy for many worthwhile causes of nature. For the last nineteen years; he has coordinated and compiled the Point Reyes Peninsula Christmas Bird Count (CBC), one of the largest in the country. He lends his skills to a minimum of five other Christmas Bird Counts each season as well as springtime point counts. For twenty-plus years he has raised funds for PRBO Conservation Science through its annual Bird-a-thon. He has received his 15-year volunteer service pin from Golden Gate Raptor Observatory. He gives of his expertise as a guest naturalist for several non-profit organizations, such as Mono Lake Committee, Marin Agricultural Land Trust, and several Audubon chapters. When time allows, David does trail work, exotic pest plant removal, tree planting, roadside cleanup and other hands-on restoration projects.
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The Point Reyes National Seashore Association elected David Wimpfheimer to its Board of Directors in 2005.
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David has led tours and/or continues to lead tours for; American Birding Association, Betchart Expeditions, Butterfield & Robinson, California Academy of Sciences, Dolphin Charters, Elderhostel, Lifelong Learning, Marin Agricultural Land Trust, Marin Audubon Society, Marin County Open Space, National Audubon Society, Oceanic Society, Pacific Agenda, Point Reyes Bird Observatory, Point Reyes Field Seminars, San Francisco Bay Whale Watching, Sierra Pacific Educational Adventures, Smithsonian Institute, Speyside Wildlife and Wild Wings.
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In North America, David leads tours in; California, with an emphasis on; Point Reyes National Seashore, Mono Lake, Yosemite, Central Valley and Mojave/Death Valley. Oregon, Arizona, Alaska, Wyoming, Texas.
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Internationally; David leads excursions to Baja, Iceland, Belize, Vera Cruz, Mexico, Costa Rica, England, Scotland and Switzerland.
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David also performs professional fieldwork, such as point counts and Rail surveys for organizations such as Jules Evans, Avocet Research Associates.
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As a freelance photographer, David has a respectable image collection which people enjoy through his slide show presentations, or purchase through private inquiry. He has a fine eye for capturing nature. His images add enhancement to several organizations listed above, either on web-site and/or catalogs, as well as miscellaneous nature-oriented magazines.
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