Shiloh A. Schulte, PhD was a conservation biologist whose passion for protecting wildlife and wild places touched countless lives across the globe. His dedication to scientific research, community service, and family created a lasting impact that continues to inspire others.

Early Life and Education

Born at home on October 5, 1978 in Dover, New Hampshire and raised in Vermont, Shiloh grew up with a deep connection to nature that would shape his entire life's work. A Vermont Scholar, he earned his B.S. in Wildlife Biology from the University of Vermont in 2000 and his PhD in Zoology from North Carolina State University in 2012.

Professional Achievements

• •Led the American Oystercatcher Recovery Campaign resulting in 45% population increase (2008-2023)
• •Conducted research from the Arctic Circle to Patagonia, helping recovery of 20+ endangered species
• •Mentored the next generation of conservation scientists and researchers
• •Advocated for evidence-based wildlife management policies at state and federal levels
• •Published peer-reviewed research including dissertation on Oystercatcher ecology and population dynamics

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Conducting field research in extreme conditions to protect endangered species

Community Leadership

Beyond his scientific work, Shiloh was deeply committed to his local community. He was elected to the Kennebunk Select Board in 2015 and served as its chair in 2022, bringing his analytical mind and caring heart to local governance. He was a third degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and taught this art of self-defense. Each spring, he and his daughters, nephew and niece tapped maple trees all around the neighborhood and shared the sweet proceeds with neighbors.

Personal Life

An avid photographer and accomplished marathon runner who ran the Boston Marathon numerous times (most recently in April 2025), Shiloh was above all a loving husband to Shevaun and devoted father to his daughters, Lorien and Caelyn. He found joy in sharing his love of nature with his family and inspiring others to protect the environment for future generations.

Media Appearances & Public Engagement

Dr. Schulte was a gifted science communicator who brought conservation stories to broad audiences. In May 2025, he was featured on NPR's Living on Earth, discussing the remarkable 45% recovery of American Oystercatchers. He explained that success came from "people management" — helping beachgoers understand how to share space with nesting birds.

Audubon Magazine profiled his Arctic fieldwork in 2020, opening with a vivid scene of Shiloh observing Whimbrels under the midnight sun. He frequently gave talks at universities and birding organizations, including presentations at the Nuttall Ornithological Club and York County Audubon, translating complex research into engaging stories that inspired action.

International Conservation Impact

Shiloh's influence extended far beyond North America. In January 2020, he traveled to Chile at the invitation of local conservationists to share the American Oystercatcher recovery model. He spent days with Chilean biologists, gave presentations to government officials, and provided hands-on guidance at coastal nesting sites. This exchange helped jump-start Chile's own Oystercatcher conservation program, demonstrating his role as a global conservation ambassador.

His field research spanned from the Arctic Circle to Patagonia, with notable work on Coats Island, Nunavut, where he helped retrieve the first-ever geolocator data for Semipalmated Sandpipers, revealing their 10,000-mile annual migrations and informing hemispheric conservation strategies.

Select Publications & Research

• •Co-authored the first reliable population estimate of Eastern American Oystercatchers (2009), providing baseline data for the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan
• •Published decision-modeling research on predator management to improve oystercatcher nest success (2010)
• •Contributed to groundbreaking Semipalmated Sandpiper tracking study published inThe Condor, resolving migratory connectivity puzzles
• •Co-authored the 2025 North American State of the Birds Report, highlighting both alarming declines and conservation success stories

Legacy

Shiloh's legacy lives on through his scientific contributions, the conservation initiatives he championed, the students he mentored, and the community he served. His work continues to inform wildlife protection efforts, and his example of dedicated service inspires others to make a difference in their own communities and fields of expertise.