Bernard Amakobe was born and raised in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, where a biologist friend encouraged him to learn science through the study of birds. In 1997 he started as a volunteer for the Ornithology Section of the National Museums of Kenya. He also joined the Nairobi Ringing group as a trainee in bird ringing (banding), and at the same time joined Nature Kenya, the premier conservation body in the region. He is now the regional organizer for the Ringing Scheme of eastern Africa and the Bird Activity Coordinator for Nature Kenya, despite a background as a would-be accountant. 
     Bernard is the trainer, treasurer, and mobilizing officer of the Nairobi Ringing group, a small group specializing in training amateur bird ringers. He has been working closely with researchers as a field technician for the past 12 years, collecting data throughout Kenya. He specializes in bird ringing, behavioral ecology studies, construction of bird traps, implementing researchers’ ideas into actual fieldwork, and organizing and coordinating field protocol. He has been the team leader on various projects, including research on Gray-headed Social-Weavers for Cornell University’s own Dr. Steve Emlen. He was a core member of a team collecting samples from wild birds for investigation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.
     Bernard’s passion is to give science a human face, to make stakeholders aware that what they are conserving is for the good of all. Birding and ringing are powerful tools for spreading this message, and creating community awareness of their ecological importance makes research even more fun for him.
     Bernard believes the Home Study Course in Bird Biology will increase his knowledge of bird biology and will help him to train others, be a knowledgeable bird guide, and help him interpret complex ornithological publications.

Remy Lary of Vermont is an artist who specializes in carving birds. He always had an interest in birds, conservation, and art, and started learning bird identification at a very early age. Throughout his high school days he volunteered at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science's (VINS) Raptor Center. He rescued and transported injured birds to the VINS rehabilitation center, and monitored Peregrine Falcons on a local mountain summit. He participated in the World Series of Birding in 1999, 2000, and 2001 as a member of the VINS sponsored youth team, the Twin State Tanagers. He traveled to Costa Rica to study biodiversity in 2001.
      After graduating high school Remy began carving birds under the mentorship of master carver, Floyd Scholz, and has been successful selling and exhibiting his work. Recently he lead a group of adult volunteers in counting birds in central Vermont as part of Audubon Vermont's Forest Bird Initiative, which keeps track of breeding bird populations.
      Remy hopes that taking the home study course will help broaden his understanding of birds. He would like to acquire additional skills and knowledge of birds to help him educate the community, facilitate his contribution to the art of bird sculpture, and to become a strong advocate in conservation efforts in Vermont and abroad.

J. Matt Lea of Tennessee has four pet parrots and is a local aviculturalist who studies both exotic and native birds.  His passion for birds began when he was a child and progressed throughout his life. He is passionate about bird conservation efforts and protecting native bird habitats, as well as promoting the hobby of bird watching.  His work includes visiting schools and various organizations with his parrots to discuss and promote avian awareness and respect for exotic birds as pets, the responsibilities of being a responsible parrot owner, and the basics of bird watching and bird identification. In addition to parrots, he is especially interested in owls, birds of prey, and nest box construction and design. 
     Matt is involved in several ornithological and avicultural organizations and serves as the Legislative Liaison for the Southeast Tennessee Aviculture Society where he helps develop and lobby for legislation regarding exotic bird ownership, husbandry, and native bird population management.  He and his wife, Sharon, are the founders of the Greater Chattanooga Aviculture Society and are members of the Chattanooga Chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society.  He has published several articles for Bird Talk Magazine’s online subsidiary, www.BirdChannel.com, www.SmallAnimcalChannel.com, and is a contributing author for Chattanooga Parent Magazine.
      Being a self-taught bird enthusiast, Matt hopes the information he will learn from the home study course will help him further his ornithological education and teach others about the fascinating world of parrots and other birds.