Advocating for animals, species, and ecosystems.

Policy

Members of the board draft policy, follow and analyze legislation and regulations, and testify when available or requested.

Education

VWC emails subscribers about policies affecting wildlife and habitat in Vermont.VWC also shares educational materials in conversation with the public.

Rob Mullen, President

Rob has a B.S. in Biology from UVM. Born and raised in Vermont, Rob is a well-known wildlife artist who started fishing at three years old, shooting at five, canoeing at eight, and hunting deer at ten.After working freelance as an advertising artist on Madison Avenue for sixteen years, Rob returned to Vermont and wildlife art in 1994. In 1995, Rob won the Vermont Duck Stamp contest, among dozens of other awards.Rob started work in 2004 with the Smithsonian's Arctic Studies Center at the Museum of Natural History, conducting over twenty wilderness-art expeditions in boreal forests from Labrador to Alaska. Rob serves as chair of the Bolton Conservation Commission.

Devin Brennan, Secretary and Interim Treasurer

Devin has a B.S. in Philosophy from Central Michigan University and a J.D. with a Concentration in Animal Law and Master of Animal Protection Policy from Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS).Devin owns his own legal practice, practicing animal law. Devin is an avid birder and founded at VLGS the nation's first student chapter of the National Audubon Society at a law school. He serves as a member of the Royalton Conservation Commission, plays the trumpet in the Royalton Town Band, and helps as Town Health Officer for Royalton and Sharon.

Jane Hoffman

Jane has a J.D. and M.L.S. Jane worked as an attorney at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, served as Senior Consultant at a management consulting firm in New York City, and provided private legal services in taxation, executive compensation, and estate planning.Jane founded and served as Secretary and Chair of the New York City Bar Association's Animal Law Committee — the first of its kind — and received the Inaugural Excellence in the Advancement of Animal Law Award from the American Bar Association in 2007. Jane serves as a member of the Greensboro Conservation Commission, enjoys trap- and target-shooting, and manages her land to support pollinators and other wildlife.

Bob Galvin

Bob has a B.S. in Marine Biology from the University of Delaware and an M.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the College of William & Mary.Bob has worked with the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, Bionomics, Inc., the Kansas Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, and as Vermont State Director of Animal Wellness Action. Bob enjoys birdwatching, picking up trash, and discussions about environmental problems facing people, ecosystems, and the globe. Bob serves as chair and member of the Bolton Conservation Commission.

Melissa Hoffman

Melissa has a B.A. in Philosophy from Mount Holyoke College and studied Cultural Anthropology at a graduate level at the University of Chicago.Melissa is a chef of wild and perennial plant foods, founder and co-director of LivingFuture Foundation (whose mission is to conserve land and establish food systems that harmonize with wildlife and sanctuary animals), and partner with her wife, Shawn Smith, of SHO Farm, LLC, a 1,300-acre farm, sanctuary, and wildlife preserve.

Claudia Mucklow

Claudia has a B.A. in Studio Art, a B.A. in Art History, and an A.A. in Photography. Claudia moved to Vermont from Germany over two decades ago.Claudia has connections with Vermont's equine community, owns four horses, and operates a horse facility. Claudia chairs the Charlotte Conservation Commission and volunteers to improve habitat in Charlotte's Park and Wildlife Refuge.

Bonnie Rowell

Bonnie has a B.A. in English Literature. Bonnie grew up in Quebec's Laurentian Mountains and there learned to love and respect wildlife. Bonnie worked with a veterinarian for eight years, assisting in surgery and office management, fostered animals, and owned a craft store in Quebec for over twenty years.After meeting Rob in 2006, Bonnie moved to Vermont, next to a large beaver pond with beavers, herons, ducks, geese, and frogs. Other than viewing local wildlife, Bonnie enjoys creating botanical plaster castings of Vermont's wildflowers.