Paul Tritaik
Director at Large
- Worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for 38 years before retiring in 2020 as the Project Leader of the J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR Complex, which included Pine Island NWR, Matlacha Pass NWR, Island Bay NWR, and Caloosahatchee NWR.
- Started his career with the FWS at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, MD, moved to Okefenokee NWR in Folkston, GA as an Outdoor Recreation Planner, then Bond Swamp NWR in Macon, GA as a Refuge Manager, then Pelican Island and Archie Carr NWRs in Vero Beach, FL as Refuge Manager/Project Leader and finally to J.N. “Ding” Darling NWR in Sanibel, FL as Refuge Manager/Project Leader.
- Helped start three friends groups: Okefenokee Wildlife League, Pelican Island Conservation Society, and Friends of the Carr Refuge. Increased collaboration with the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society. Served as a National Friends Mentor.
- Worked closely with each friends group to increase interpretation and education on and off refuge; create new exhibits, kiosks, trails, boardwalks, and observation towers; hold special events (including the Refuge System Centennial); improve facilities; expand boundaries and acquire new land; and restore habitat.
- Started Tritaik Consulting in 2021 to provide environmental consulting services.
- Serves on the board or other leadership roles on the FWS History Committee, FWS Retirees Association, National Wildlife Refuge Association, Pelican Island Conservation Society, Friends of the Carr Refuge, Sanibel Captiva Audubon Society, Rotary Club of Sanibel-Captiva, and Scouting America, Troop 1740.
- Resides in Sanibel, FL with his wife, Rachel, and son, Liam.
