Steve Martin Bio

Steve Martin is President/CEO of Natural Encounters, Inc. (NEI), a company of over 50 professional animal trainers who teach animal training strategies and produce educational animal programs at zoological facilities around the world. Though best known for his work with free-flight bird programs, most of his work involves teaching mammal caregivers the art and science of behavior change principals. He teaches several animal-training workshops each year and is an instructor at the AZA Animal Training School, an instructor at the Recon – Elephant training workshop, a Trustee with the World Parrot Trust, and a recent member of the AZA Behavior Advisory Group. He is also President of Natural Encounters Conservation Fund, Inc. a non-profit company that has raised and donated over $1.3 million to in-situ conservation programs. Steve Martin has a strong commitment to conservation and helping people understand their relationship with the living earth. The Mission Statement of NEI is “Connecting Humans With The Natural World” and Earth Day is an official holiday for all NEI employees.