User:William Stamps Howard
My full name is Dr. William Stamps Howard IV, but I am rarely ever referred to by my full name. In my business life, I simply go by William. However, in a 100-year-old tradition started by my great-great-great grandfather, my family and friends all refer to me by my middle name, Stamps.
If you call, and ask for William, I know you are a business college or a stranger ... If you call, and ask for Stamps, I know you are a friend!
Wildlife Technology
[edit]I own and operate a small consulting business, Wildlife Technology, a small division of Stability Technology, Inc. Wildlife Technology is focused on applying innovative technology to protecting wildlife and sustainable eco-development.
Projects includes several unique software-based websites focusing on animal ecotourism and wildlife protection. Other projects include an experimental solar-powered aquaponics project in Nicaragua. And three renewable water projects, also in rural Nicaragua.
Focus on Wildlife and Ecotourism
[edit]My interest is on preserving wildlife in its native habitat. In particular, I am engaged in activities to encourage ecotourism, a movement that has gained significant prominence over the last 30 years. In fact, many environmentalist see Ecotourism as a critical endeavor to protecting many endangered animal species.
Ecotourism is a form of tourism that involves visiting fragile and pristine natural areas, intended as a low impact on the existing wildlife, flora and fauna. Ecotourism is often a small scale alternative to standard commercial tourism. The purpose of Ecotourism is to educate the traveler, while simultaneously providing direct benefit to the economic development and political empowerment of local communities.
It is my firm belief that there is a strong positive benefit to wildlife when local communities have a direct financial stake in their protection. In general, the greater the financial benefit to the local community, the greater the level of protection of the wildlife.
Wildlife Photography
[edit]One of the best forms of Ecotourism is wildlife photography, and I am an avid photographer. I've had a single-minded one-track passion to photograph animals in their natural habitat. Over the last 3 years, I've taken well in excess of 10,000 photographs of Wildlife living free. I spend a lot of time out in the wilderness (sometimes in the cold and snow, other times in the rain or desert heat) trying to get that single perfect shot of a wild animal. And I've even taken up Scuba diving, so I can photograph animals underwater (such as sharks and sea turtles). More recently, I have started focusing on wild animals and birds found in Latin America, Australia and/or Southeast Asia.
All in search of that perfect wildlife photo...
A Short Biography
[edit]Raised in the outdoors of Virginia, I've spent many years of my life in the outdoors. I currently live lakefront on Lake Lanier, in the Atlanta, Georgia area of the USA.
Highlights:
- BSME and BSEE from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
- MBA from Monmouth University
- PhD and MS from The University of Pennsylvania
- 5 US Patents, including two in software development
- 1 European Patent
- I've designed and developed well over $100 million worth of equipment, operating in over 30 countries around the world.
My specialty is the design and development of innovative Technology.
Links
[edit]Where to See Wildlife -- In particular, see the "Top Photographs" page.