Andrew Dreelin is a research fellow with the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and a PhD candidate at Northern Illinois University.

He’s an ornithologist and conservation scientist. He’s also a photographer, writer, and dedicated birdwatcher. Dreelin studies grassland birds and their relationships with black-tailed prairie dogs. His overarching goal is to use research, conservation, and environmental education to prevent extinctions and maintain ecosystems, helping create a sustainable future for biodiversity and humanity in the Anthropocene.