James A. Swan's Home Page

Resume

James A. Swan, Ph.D.
PO. Box 44426, Rio Rancho, NM 87174

Education:

BS, Conservation Education, University of Michigan, 1965; MS, Resource Planning, University of Michigan 1967; Ph.D. Environmental Psychology, University of Michigan, 1969. Media training, University of Michigan Television Center, 1969-1971.

Current Work:

Writer:

  • Articles on conservation.
  • Development assistance on conservation TV shows.
  • Consultant on feature/TV screenplays and proposal writing.
  • Screenplay for “Falconer: The Sport of Kings” co-writer with Eddie Brochin, 2012.
    Winner: Best Film and Script, Skyfest Festival, 2013; Award of Merit: Accolade Film Festival and The INDIE Fest, 2013.
  • Books, articles, and screenplays.

Producer:

  • CEO, Snow Goose Productions -- currently developing TV show about Casa Grande High School's hatchery program.
  • Co- Executive Producer - "Wild Justice" TV series for National Geographic Wild, produced by Original Productions (Deadliest Catch, Ice Road Truckers).

Recent acting work:

Experience:

Books:

See the full list of books here.

Articles:

Published over 800 articles in popular magazines, including: Audubon, American Health, Gray's Sporting Classics, Utne Reader, Longevity, Countryside, The Herbalist, Garden, Yoga Journal, InSights, Instinctive Archer, Archery Focus, Sports Afield, and Intellectual Capitol; etc. and was a senior columnist for ESPNOutdoors.com from 2000 to 2011, during which he appeared on ESPNOutdoors and helped to develop the "New American Sportsman" TV show.

Over 50 articles published in professional journals, including: Journal of The American Public Health Association, Environment and Behavior [assoc. ed.], Architecture and Behavior, Environmental Carcinogenesis and Ecotoxicology Review, Nature Study, Journal of Environmental Education; Phi Delta Kappan, Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, etc.

Columns:

Over 500 published columns.
  • Contributor, The Outdoor Wire, 2015--2019
  • Senior Columnist, outdoorhub.com -- 2012-2014.
  • Contributing Editor, ESPNOutdoors.com -- 2001-2010 -- 246 columns
  • Outdoors Columnist, National Review Online, 2001-2004
  • Conservation Columnist, The Herbalist, 1977-1979

Television Writing:

Over 100 produced TV shows.
  • Sports Afield TV OLN, 2004
  • Bushnell's Secrets of the Wild, Outdoor Channel & TNN, 1999-2002
  • Script consultant for episodes of "NOVA," "Sightings," "Ancient Mysteries," "Modern Marvels" TV series, and also "Katrina's Devastation", an ESPN Special.
  • "The Pesticide Dilemma", "Up In Smoke, Air Pollution"; U. of M. TV Center, half-hour documentaries, distributed world-wide.

Acting

(for more complete acting resume and demo reels, click here)
Acting Education: San Francisco Screen Actors Guild Conservatory, Workshops through College of Marin, Nancy Hayes Casting; Anne Brebner, coaching; U. of Michigan TV Center.
Appeared in 20 feature films, including: "The Hulk," "BiCentennial Man," "Star Trek: First Contact," "The Rock," "Jack," "Desperate Measures," "Dr. Doolittle," "The Long Way Home," "Unhook The Stars," "Murder In The First," "Angels In The Outfield,".

Dramatic Television series:

  • Nash Bridges - four episodes as police officer; one as physician; one asused car salesman.
  • Midnight Caller - The Execution of John Seringo - prison chaplain; 4 episodes as policeman
  • Jesse Hawkes - two episodes as truck driver

Commercials and print ads:

Over 30, including Sears Point Raceway, GTE, Secure Horizons, Air Touch Cell Phones, Sprint Cellular, Western Union, Kaiser Permanente, The Real McCoy's, Thomas H. White Brokerage, Dell, Patient Place, Ask Jeeves, Hallmark Cards, Ocean Essentials Vitamins, Netfoilo.com, AvantGo, Toyota, Infiniti.

Industrials:

Scott Foresman, CRM, AMD, Medtronics, Intel Health Systems, Oracle.

Video and Television:

Consulting, writing, producer.

  • "Wild Justice", reality series on National Geographic Channel, Co-executive Producer
  • Judge for Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival
  • Producer of "Endangered Species: CA Fish and Game Wardens," a 66-minute documentary narrated by Jameson Parker, 2009. The documentary became the inspiration for the reality TV series "Wild Justice" on the National Geographic Channel. Recognized by the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, and shown by the Green Unplugged International Film Festival and the Hazel Wolf Environmental Film Network.
  • "Green Comfort", pilot for series on ecological design for HGTV, hosted by Darleen Carr; producer.
  • Two PSAs and an 8-minute promo for Alaska Moose Federation summer 2004; producer.
  • "A Question of Balance", 56-minute docu on International Symposium on Firearms held in London, May 2003; Narrated by Brit. War Museum Curator, David Penn; producer.
  • "New American Sportsman", ESPN, 2002; consultant.
  • "Engel's Outdoor Experience", Outdoor Channel, 13-episodes 2002; writer.
  • "Ancient Mysteries" -- script consultant for show on sacred places, hosted by L. Nimoy, 1997; on-camera expert.
  • "Sightings" -- Paramount Pictures television series; consulted on and appeared in six segments on American Indians and ecology. 1994-97.
  • "Buffalo Restoration On Indian Lands" -- co-producer of 30 minute documentary, featuring Tantoo Cardinal and Kimberly Norris shown around US on PBS stations.
  • "Wopila Tatanka" -- executive producer of 17 minute promotional video promoting buffalo restoration on Indian lands, 1992.
  • "Goddess of The Earth" -- NOVA, 1985 -- consultant
  • "The Infinite Flow" -- 20 minute 16mm film; producer, writer, photographer, 1976.
  • "Air Pollution -- 30 min. University of Michigan Television Center, 1971; host/writer
  • "Pesticides" -- 30 min. University of Michigan Television Center, 1970; host/ writer

On-Camera Interviews:

Appeared as a guest on hundreds of TV and radio interview shows since 1960's in US, Canada and Japan, including national television shows "Donahue," "Good Morning America," "Sightings," and "Ancient Mysteries," and abroad, CBC and NHK.

Radio:

Spirit of the Sport nationally-syndicated weekly outdoor sports show. 1997-1999, wrote and performed 40 three-minute commentaries, in addition to several longer interviews lasting up to ½ hour.


Professional Experience:

Environmental Education Curriculum Coordinator 1965-1969, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Public Schools. Co-ordinated 12 volunteer guides and led field trips for 90% elementary students in city.
College Professor -- regular faculty at:
  • (1969-1972)-- University of Michigan Lecturer, Natural Resources; Research Assoc. Inst.Social Research
  • (1972-73)-- Western Washington State University, assist. prof. environmental studies
  • (1973-1976)-- University of Oregon Assistant Professor and Chairman, Leisure and Cultural Services and Chairman, Independent Studies; School of Community Service and Public Affairs
  • 1978-79)-- University of Washington, School of Forest Resources; visiting lecturer in Outdoor Recreation
  • (1988-1992) -- California Institute of Integral Studies -- Assoc. Prof. Socio-Cultural. Anthropolgy
Also, visiting professor at Universities of U. Cal and Berkeley Ext., South Florida, Colorado, and Hawaii and Pacifica Graduate Institute. accomplishments/ interests -- One of the founders of the field of environmental psychology; contributor to creation of the field of environmental education.

Consulting:

National Water Commission, BSCS Biology, 4-H, US. Public Health Service, US. Army Corps of Engineers, US. Office of Education, Crystal Mountain Ski Corporation, White House Conference on Youth and Natural Beauty, American Association of School Administrators, National Audubon Society Expedition Institute, Sea Grant, City of Detroit Police Department/Mercy College.

Events Production:

Since 1960's directed and produced concerts, conferences and expositions for crowds up to 50,000 including nation's largest college Earth Day Teach-In in 1970; major productions "Exploring The Human Potential Through Sports" 1975; "Cityfair" 1979; "Is The Earth A Living Organism?" 1985; "Circle The Earth," 1987; "Gaia Consciousness" 1988; "Celebration of Innovation Exposition," 1988; Spirit of Place Symposiums, 1988-1993, US and Japan. Produced 75th Anniversary of Screen Actors Guild celebration in San Francisco, 2008.

Musician:

Full member of ASCAP, played folk, country and rock since 1960's, rhythm guitar, percussion and vocals; 2002 winner, Best Country Song, ZAP Pollution Solution songwriting contest. 1990-1993, developed recycling rock and roll clown -- RECYCLEMAN -- with costume built by Lucasfilm Ltd., and performed around US and Canada alone and with bands. Received recognition from California Assembly and several national publications. Appeared on ABC World News and United Airlines In-Flight News. Alone and with band, opened for Jesse Collin Young, Pride and Joy, and Gary Lewis and the Playboys. Featured in a Scott Foresman educational music video on recycling, "Discover the Wonder" series, with David Hyle from "Newton's Apple".

Honors and Special Recognition:

  • Executive Council, Screen Actors Guild, Northern CA, 2006-2008
  • Bd. of Gov., U. of Mich. Sch. of Nat. Resources and Environ., Alumni Society, 1993-1996.
  • WHO'S WHO IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, 1997
  • MEN OF ACHIEVEMENT-WORLD, 1996.
  • WHO'S WHO IN SERVICE TO THE EARTH, 1993;
  • WHO'S WHO IN THE WEST, 1995
  • California State Assembly Certificate of Recognition, 1992 (for Recycleman)
  • Psi Chi, National Psychology Honorary, Certificate of Recognition
  • Xi Sigma Pi National Forestry Honorary,
  • Phi Sigma Biological Sciences Honorary
  • Homer N. Calver Memorial Lecturer, American Public Health Association
  • National Audubon Society Expedition Institute, Board of Directors 1980-1985
  • American Nature Study Society, Board of Directors; 1978-1980
  • Michigan Association of Conservation Ecologists, Board of Directors 1969-1971.
  • Samuel T. Dana Award, 1968, Outstanding Student in Conservation, UM-SNR
  • Licensed Master Permit Bird Bander; US. Fish and Wildlife Service, since 1967.

Personal Skills:

Nature and wilderness skills, especially fly-fishing, canoeing, white water, (Outward Bound Instructor's course), shooting sports, especially archery. Golf -- handicap 8-10.


Public Speaking:

Since 1960, numerous appearances in the US, Canada, and Japan, speaking to audiences up to 4,000 on ecology, psychology, mass communications and native cultures. I have also been a master of ceremonies for numerous conferences, conventions and expositions.

A Partial List of Organizations that Have Sponsored Lectures or Workshops by James A. Swan:

  • American Association for the Advancement of Science -- national convention (several times)
  • American Association of Architects -- Young Architects Forum national convention
  • American Association of School Administrators -- national board of directors seminar leader
  • American Public Health Association -- Homer N. Calver Memorial Lecturer, national convention
  • Arizona Trails Annual Conference -- keynote
  • Bishop Museum, Honolulu, HI -- guest lecturer
  • California Department of Fish and Game -- in-service seminar leader
  • California Institute of Integral Studies -- workshops, lectures, conference presenter
  • California Landscape Contractors Association -- keynote
  • California Polytechnic College at Pomona -- featured lecture
  • California State College at San Luis Obispo -- featured lecture
  • Canadian Outdoor Heritage Alliance keynote speaker
  • Canadian Society of Landscape Architects -- national convention
  • Colorado Dept. Of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife in-service workshop leader
  • Earth Day 1970 teach-ins -- 22 across the US, audiences up to 4,000
  • First World Congress On Cultural Parks -- featured speaker
  • Kansas State Science Teachers -- annual convention featured lecture
  • Idaho Trails Council Annual Symposium -- keynote
  • International Centre for Earth Renewal -- Vancouver, BC; moderator for symposium at Simon Frazer University with Design Vancouver Week; workshop leader
  • Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association featured speaker
  • Michigan Department of Natural Resources -- teacher training workshops
  • Milwaukee Public Museum -- featured speaker -- Natural History Lecture Series
  • Missouri Dept. of Conservation lecture tour of state nature centers
  • National Audubon Society -- keynote, and Master of Ceremonies, Living Earth Symposium
  • National Audubon Society Expedition Institute -- visiting instructor
  • National Animal Interest Alliance -- featured speaker, national convention
  • National Trails Symposium -- featured speaker, national convention
  • North American Association for Environmental Education -- keynote speaker, national convention
  • North American Outdoors 1999 National Jamboree speaker/Master of Ceremonies
  • Outdoor Writers Association of America -- keynote speaker
  • Rocky Mountain Book Festival-- featured author
  • Sierra Club -- national convention featured speaker
  • Spirit of Place Symposiums -- Master of Ceremonies and keynote speaker
  • Spirit of Place Symposium Sendai, Japan, Honorary Director
  • Tenri Yamato Culture Congress -- Nara, Japan -- keynote speaker
  • University of Alaska, Fairbanks -- Museum of the North
  • University of California At Berkeley -- keynote Earth Day 1990
  • University of Colorado -- keynote, Earth Day 1970; visiting lecturer
  • University of Hawaii -- visiting lecturer
  • University of Maine-Bangor -- Distinguished visiting lecturer
  • University of Michigan -- faculty, Master of Ceremonies, lecturer
  • University of New Mexico -- guest lecturer
  • University of Oregon -- faculty, Master of Ceremonies, lecturer
  • University of South Florida -- visiting faculty
  • US. Public Health Service -- in-service training instructor
  • Vancouver, BC, Writers Festival -- featured author
  • Waseda University -- Tokyo, Japan -- keynote at Mind, Body Science Conference
  • World Forum On The Future of Sport Shooting Activities London Scholars Conference speaker