Ecological Conservation Training Resource Manager
Michael Zirpoli is the Ecological Conservation and Training Resource manager for The Sustainability in Prisons Project (SPP). He graduated from The Evergreen State College in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science and Arts that focused on mycology, chemical ecology and environmental education. Michael joins our team with an extensive background in the natural sciences, science education and advanced undergraduate research. His research has covered a variety of environmental science disciplines, including research investigating the impacts of reindeer lichen secondary metabolites on the health of plants relevant to the lifecycle of the federally endangered Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly. He has presented his work to a variety of groups such as the North American Mycological Association, the Northwest Scientific Association, Wisconsin Mycological Society, and the Oregon Mycological Society.
During his time in college and after graduation, Michael worked as a lab aide and lab support staff at Evergreen where he supported Evergreen’s vast and varied scientific curriculum. With a decade of experience in education roles, Michael has worked with students of all ages, ranging from infants to older non-traditional college students. He is particularly interested in providing environmental educational opportunities to marginalized communities. Michael will be managing SPP’s Western Pond Turtle Program at Cedar Creek Corrections Center (CCCC), and the Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly Program at Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women (MCCCW). He is very excited to join the team and continue his work in conservation and environmental education.