Human-Wildlife Interactions

Members of LEAP's Human-Wildlife Interaction Committee aim to leverage expertise from natural resource professionals in the LEAP region to discuss interactive situation between wildlife and humans. The committee works together to identify and create educational materials for land managers and interested residents within the LEAP region.

The committee meets virtually at 10:00 AM on the Wednesday before each scheduled LEAP Meeting. If you are interested in attending a meeting, please contact Geoff Westerfield.

Links to Human-Wildlife Interactions we've addressed


Committee Members as of November 2025

Representative (*chair) Organization
Kathleen Bradley Interested Citizen
Laurie Brown Ohio Division of Wildlife
Rebecca Cantrell Geauga Park District
Jon Cepek Cleveland Metroparks
Rob Curtis Summit Metro Parks
Mark Demyan Greater Cleveland Audubon
Patti Donnellan Lorain County Soil & Water Conservation District
Joe Ferrara Ohio Division of Wildlife
Paul Pira Geauga Park District
Erik Shaffer Cleveland Metroparks
Joel Throckmorton City of Mentor
Caleb Wellman USDA-Wildlife Services
Geoff Westerfield* Ohio Division of Wildlife