TRCP Staff: Tom Franklin

Tom Franklin, director of policy and government relations, joined the TRCP in March of 2007. He earned a B.A. in natural resource conservation and wildlife management from the University of Maryland in 1972 and an M.S. administrative science from The Johns Hopkins University in 1988. He was a wildlife biologist with the Urban Wildlife Research Center (UWRC) from 1973 to 1978. He was promoted to Executive Director of the UWRC in 1978. The UWRC investigated ways to protect and conserve wildlife in urban and suburban areas. In 1983 Tom joined The Wildlife Society (TWS), the association of professional wildlife biologists and managers. His first role with TWS was as Field Director, in charge of membership activities and conservation affairs. In 1991, he was selected as Wildlife Policy Director of The Wildlife Society where he led the Society’s government relations program. In 1994, Tom established a wild bird and nature retail store, The Wildlife Authority, Inc., located in Ellicott City, Maryland. From 2004-2005, Tom served as acting Executive Director of The Wildlife Society. In June 2005, he was named Izaak Walton League’s Conservation Director leading the government affairs and education programs.

Tom is a certified wildlife biologist and has authored many articles in professional and lay publications and presented at conferences and symposia addressing urban/suburban wildlife management, association leadership and natural resource policy. He received the Daniel L. Leedy Urban Wildlife Conservation Award; Professional of the Year, Maryland/Delaware Chapter of The Wildlife Society; President’s Award, The Wildlife Society; Special Recognition Service Award, The Wildlife Society; and Special Award of Appreciation for 20 Years of Outstanding Service to The Wildlife Society. He serves on the Executive Committee of the American Wildlife Conservation Partners; Steering Committee of Teaming With Wildlife Coalition; Chairs the Wildlife Diversity Advisory Committee for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources; and is Chair of the Membership Committee of the Washington Biologists’ Field Club.

Tom is an avid outdoorsman and especially enjoys hunting, fishing, birding and managing the family farm for fish and wildlife.

Contact Tom at tfranklin@trcp.org.

Return to the TRCP staff page.