About Us
BIOGRAPHY
Aaron Sullivan, Director of Wildlife Programs & IRMS
Aaron Sullivan’s career in fisheries and wildlife has been shaped by a simple idea: conservation is most effective when science is put into practice.
A Fisheries and Wildlife professional with a background spanning research, fieldwork, education, and conservation outreach, Aaron has spent much of his career working at the intersection of fisheries, invasive species, wildlife management, and applied science. His path has taken him from undergraduate research at Michigan State University to graduate-level research and, most recently, into a leadership role as the Wildlife Director here at the Conservancy.
Aaron earned his bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University in 2021. Rather than leaving research behind after completing his undergraduate degree, he continued his education through a master’s program in Fisheries and Wildlife focused on an issue with direct implications for aquatic ecosystem management: The potential for native Michigan predatory fish to serve as biological control for invasive Red Swamp Crayfish.
His thesis examines whether native fish predators, including Largemouth Bass and other sunfish such as Bluegill, can help suppress invasive crayfish populations through predation. The project has required extensive fieldwork, including angling, stomach content acquisition, population estimates, temperature monitoring, and detailed analysis of fish diets.
This work has also demanded adaptability. Research rarely proceeds exactly as planned, and Aaron’s project faced setbacks, including lost study sites and complications that reduced the number of viable research locations. Rather than abandoning the project, he adapted the study design and continued with his research.
That experience reflects an important part of Aaron’s approach to conservation: field biology is rarely perfect, and successful management requires the ability to work with imperfect circumstances while still producing useful information.
Aaron has also remained very involved in conservation outreach. He expressed a strong interest in connecting people with natural resources through education, fishing, and outdoor experiences. His involvement with Trout Unlimited and interest in developing fly-fishing and conservation programs reflect a broader belief that conservation depends not only on scientific research but also on creating meaningful connections between people and the natural world.
Fishing has been a particularly important part of that connection. Aaron is an avid angler with a strong interest in Steelhead, salmon, and Trout fishing throughout Michigan. His experience as both a scientist and an outdoorsman gives him a perspective that combines academic knowledge with practical experience in the field.
As his graduate education is nearing completion, his career is moving toward a broader role in conservation leadership. His work as the Wildlife Director will allow him to bring together many of the skills he has developed throughout his education and career.
From fishing Michigan’s many rivers to conducting graduate research, studying invasive species and developing conservation programs, his path has consistently brought him back to the same place – the outdoors.
While his career is still in its early stages, the direction is clear. Aaron is building a life in which science, wildlife, education, and conservation are not separate interests, but different parts of the same mission: helping people understand, appreciate, and protect the natural world.
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Aaron Sullivan, Director of Wildlife Programs & IRMS
Aaron Sullivan’s career in fisheries and wildlife has been shaped by a simple idea: conservation is most effective when science is put into practice.
A Fisheries and Wildlife professional with a background spanning research, fieldwork, education, and conservation outreach, Aaron has spent much of his career working at the intersection of fisheries, invasive species, wildlife management, and applied science. His path has taken him from undergraduate research at Michigan State University to graduate-level research and, most recently, into a leadership role as the Wildlife Director here at the Conservancy.
Aaron earned his bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University in 2021. Rather than leaving research behind after completing his undergraduate degree, he continued his education through a master’s program in Fisheries and Wildlife focused on an issue with direct implications for aquatic ecosystem management: The potential for native Michigan predatory fish to serve as biological control for invasive Red Swamp Crayfish.
His thesis examines whether native fish predators, including Largemouth Bass and other sunfish such as Bluegill, can help suppress invasive crayfish populations through predation. The project has required extensive fieldwork, including angling, stomach content acquisition, population estimates, temperature monitoring, and detailed analysis of fish diets.
This work has also demanded adaptability. Research rarely proceeds exactly as planned, and Aaron’s project faced setbacks, including lost study sites and complications that reduced the number of viable research locations. Rather than abandoning the project, he adapted the study design and continued with his research.
That experience reflects an important part of Aaron’s approach to conservation: field biology is rarely perfect, and successful management requires the ability to work with imperfect circumstances while still producing useful information.
Aaron has also remained very involved in conservation outreach. He expressed a strong interest in connecting people with natural resources through education, fishing, and outdoor experiences. His involvement with Trout Unlimited and interest in developing fly-fishing and conservation programs reflect a broader belief that conservation depends not only on scientific research but also on creating meaningful connections between people and the natural world.
Fishing has been a particularly important part of that connection. Aaron is an avid angler with a strong interest in Steelhead, salmon, and Trout fishing throughout Michigan. His experience as both a scientist and an outdoorsman gives him a perspective that combines academic knowledge with practical experience in the field.
As his graduate education is nearing completion, his career is moving toward a broader role in conservation leadership. His work as the Wildlife Director will allow him to bring together many of the skills he has developed throughout his education and career.
From fishing Michigan’s many rivers to conducting graduate research, studying invasive species and developing conservation programs, his path has consistently brought him back to the same place – the outdoors.
While his career is still in its early stages, the direction is clear. Aaron is building a life in which science, wildlife, education, and conservation are not separate interests, but different parts of the same mission: helping people understand, appreciate, and protect the natural world.
Back to Contact Us