Jim Fowler, one of the world's best known naturalists, has presented information about wildlife and wilderness to the American public on television for more than 40 years. He first served with Marlin Perkins as co-host and later became host of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom, and also hosted Mutual of Omaha's Spirit of Adventure. Those programs received many awards including four Emmys and an endorsement by the National PTA for family viewing. In addition to ongoing appearances on many network talk shows, Fowler was the wildlife correspondent for NBC's Today Show since 1988 and he was a regular on the Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Fowler was also featured on the Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom on Animal Planet "Magnificent Moments" special in 2007.
On behalf of Mutual of Omaha, Jim Fowler is actively involved in a nationwide conservation education program conducted at the local community level. This includes personal appearances in numerous cities each year to share conservation related messages.
Fowler graduated with degrees in zoology and geology from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana, and is internationally recognized as an authority on predatory birds. He pursued a graduate degree by conducting the first studies of the world's largest eagle, the harpy, in the wilds of the Amazon, and later tracked the movements of the Andean condor in Peru. His studies were interrupted by a career of travel and television. Since then he has worked with many wildlife and conservation projects throughout the world. He was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa from Earlham College. He also was awarded the Lindbergh Award in 2003, which recognizes individuals for significant contributions toward the balance of technology and nature.
Jim Fowler is president of the Fowler Center for Wildlife Education in New York and serves as the honorary president of the Explorers Club. In 1994 he received the prestigious Explorers Club Medal, the club's highest honor. Fowler also sits on the boards of Friends of Conservation, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and Global Communications for Conservation (GCC).
Fowler's mission is to affect public attitudes so that they in turn will help protect wildlife habitat and influence appropriate governmental policy. His message is clear. "The continued existence of wildlife and wilderness is important to the quality of life of humans. The challenge of the future is that we realize we are very much a part of the earth's ecosystem, and learn to respect and live according to the basic biological laws of nature."
