Curators

Maryanne Andrus | Mindy A. Besaw | Kurt Graham | Emma I. Hansen | David Kennedy | Charles R. Preston | Juti A. Winchester

Charles R. Preston, Ph.D.

Curator, Draper Museum of Natural History
Phone: 307.578.4078-Fax: 307.578.4076
cpreston@bbhc.org

Dr. Charles R. Preston is Chief Curator of the five museums of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center and the Curator-in-Charge of the Draper Museum of Natural History. The innovative 55,000 square-foot Draper Museum opened in 2002, as part of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center complex, in Cody, Wyoming. The Draper has become a model for a new genre of immersive natural science museums focused on the integration of humans and nature near globally important conservation areas, such as Yellowstone National Park.

Prior to his current appointment, Preston was Chairman of the Department of Zoology at the Denver Museum of Natural History, and before that Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He holds or has held adjunct faculty appointments in biology and environmental science at the University of Colorado (Boulder and Denver campuses), environmental policy and management at the University of Denver, and biological sciences at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. Please see Dr. Preston's Statement of Professional Interests and Activities.

A zoologist and wildlife ecologist by training, Dr. Preston currently focuses on exploring ecosystem-level patterns of biodiversity, large predator ecology and human-predator relationships. He is also interested in the evolving roles of formal and informal science education in society, and is a strong advocate for the role of scientists as public educators. He promotes understanding of the dynamics of coupled human and natural systems through his writing, university teaching, public appearances, and museum exhibits. Dr. Preston’s most recent book, Golden Eagle: Sovereign of the Skies, was released in 2004 by Graphic Arts Center Publishing, Seattle, Washington.

Areas of Responsibility/Expertise

• Draper Museum of Natural History and related exhibits
• Rocky Mountain wildlife
• Birds of prey
• Ecology and wildlife management in Greater Yellowstone Area
• Greater Yellowstone environmental issues
• Role of natural history museums in the 21st century
• Acquisition, preservation, and care of Natural History Collection
• Informal science education