John William Prather, the science lead on the ForestERA Project, died February 20, 2006, in Flagstaff, Arizona, from a hypertensive aneurysm. He was 36.

John was a scientist who combined research with a love of people and nature. At Northern Arizona University, his research focused on GIS-based wildlife habitat modeling, fire behavior modeling, and assessment of accuracy and uncertainty in GIS models in ponderosa pine forests of the southwestern United States. His work on the ForestERA Project helped land managers assess how various management options might affect biodiversity on their properties.

John's previous research focused on the ecology, behavior, and distribution of terrestrial vertebrates, with an emphasis on birds. He studied the ecology and behavior of congeneric warblers in Florida mangroves, effects of brood parasitism by cowbirds on avian hosts, ecophysiology of birds preparing for spring migration in Costa Rica, the use of caves by amphibians and bats in Arkansas, and the effects of recreation and forest management on avian communities.

John was born March 12, 1969, to Bill and Inez (Schmidt) Prather in Boulder, Colorado. After a childhood in Colorado and Kansas, John earned his bachelor and masters of science degrees at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and his doctorate at the University of Arkansas.

From the time he was a child, John excelled at bird identification. He enjoyed leading field trips and organizing the annual Bird-a-thon for the Northern Arizona Audubon Society. He also enjoyed hiking and martial arts, and he was a thoughtful and passionate participant in grassroots democracy. By speaking eloquently on human rights, peace, and justice issues, in addition to environmental conservation, John added an intelligent and tolerant perspective to political debate in the Flagstaff community. His published letters and commentaries, and his involvement with Democracy for America, encouraged public engagement on the critical issues of our time.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Northern Arizona Audubon Society (PO Box 1496 Sedona, AZ 86339), Democracy for America (DFA-Flagstaff, PO Box 31382 Flagstaff, AZ 86003), or to the John W. Prather  Graduate Student Scholarship make check payable to NAU Foundation,  Account 5020, Box 4094, Flagstaff, AZ  86011, or online at Prather Scholarship Fund .  (Select "Other" as the donor designation, and enter "John W. Prather Memorial Fund" under "Other Designation".)

John with Project Manager Haydee Hampton

The ForestERA team at the White Mountains Workshop

John was a skilled teacher

In the field John was always a leader