James Albert Rodgers Oral History Interview

Interviewee

James Albert Rodgers

Files

Interviewer

Ann B. Hodgson

Publication Date

October 2015

Date

July 2015

Abstract

South Florida native James Rodgers received his MS in biology from Louisiana State University and PhD in biology from the University of South Florida. Since 1979 James has worked in the Tampa Bay area, first as a warden-naturalist for the National Audubon Society and then as an avian biologist with the Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission (now know as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission). In this interview, Rodgers discusses his role in protecting the population of the Tampa Bay bird sanctuaries. Rodgers explains the importance of systematic monitoring in the management and conservation of bird populations, the effects of resource shift on bird distribution, and the role of vegetation manipulation in providing a stable nesting environment. He also describes local threats to the avian population, including land development, habitat loss, and disturbances of nesting environments. Rodgers discusses the effects of the Tampa Harbor Deepening Project and the importance of securing concessions from developers in mitigating the environmental impact of their projects. Rodger finishes the interview recalling his interactions with the National Audubon Society and commenting on the current status of the avian and marine populations of the Tampa Bay area.

Keywords

Birds, Behavior, Conservation biology, National Audubon Society, Florida. Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission

Extent

01:04:53; 21 page transcript

Subject: geographic

Tampa (Fla.); Tampa Bay (Fla.)

Language

English

Digital Date

2015

Media Type

Oral histories

Format

Digital Only

Identifier

T43-00010

Recommended Citation

Rodgers, James Albert, "James Albert Rodgers Oral History Interview" (2015). The Tampa Bay Estuary: An Oral History of Community Collaboration to Restore Ecological Integrity. 10.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/tb_estuary_ohp/10