Restoring lands, with a science-based approach, back to their fullest natural native potential Hunt Country seeks to help landowners “maximize a property’s natural potential” resulting in the conversion of thousands of acres back to native habitat. Through collaboration with landowners, and a scientifically based approach, HCW sees enormous potential to save and restore an abundance of wildlife habitat.

BIO:

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Roy Van Houten, Wildlife Biologist, CE, PWS, CPESC, AWB

Founded in 2008, Hunt Country provides various Land and Wildlife Management Services to land owners, cattle ranchers, equestrian estates, vineyards, and home owners associations to develop and implement plans that “maximize a property’s natural potential”. Hunt Country has provided Land and Wildlife Management Services, including native grasses and wildflower meadow establishment, wildlife viewing food plots, nature trail design and establishment, invasive plant species control, pond treatment, and nuisance wildlife control on over ten thousand acres of property located in central and northern Virginia.

MEET ROY VAN HOUTEN:

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Roy’s love for the outdoors started early in life as he spent his time exploring the Pine Barrens and the salt marshes surrounding Barnegat Bay in Southern New Jersey. His experience has deepened as his career grew from his first job as wildland firefighter with the New Jersey Forest Fire Service to now serving as a managing member of one of the premiere full service environmental and cultural consulting firms in the Mid-Atlantic. For the last 20 years, he has been responsible for the development and management of a large portion of the company, with oversight of upwards of 70 staff and managing projects that stretched across the continental United States. Following the company’s acquisition by an international consulting company, Roy now spearheads the company’s efforts to provide innovative solutions to clients, so they can implement large scale restoration projects that help turn their liabilities into assets, which ultimately enhances the client’s corporate sustainability portfolio.

In recent years Mr. Van Houten has become recognized as an authority on native meadow restoration on a national level. He is called upon frequently to speak about the importance that native meadow and pollinator habitat restoration has on local and migratory species including the Monarch Butterfly.

Mr. Van Houten jumps at every opportunity in sharing his passion for the outdoors with those around him. He has coordinated and participated in countless Wounded Warrior events, kids fishing and hunting days, and Women in the Outdoors event. He has been an extremely active with the Wildlife Foundation of Virginia (WFV) and has been on the WFV Board of Directors since 2014.

CERTIFICATIONS:

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1. Certified Ecologist (CE) Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS)
2. Associate Wildlife Biologist (AWB)
3. Certified Professional of Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC)
4. Certified Erosion, Sediment, and Storm Water Inspector (CESSWI)
5. Certified Wildlife Control Professional (CWCP)
6. Virginia Department of Forestry - Certified Prescribed Burn Manager
7. Certified and Licensed Commercial Pesticide Applicator
8. Rosgen Level I – Applied River Geomorphology Certification
9. Rosgen Level II – River Morphology and Applications Certification
10. Quality Deer Management Association – Certified Deer Steward Levels I & II

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:

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1. The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) National Conference
2. The Utility Arborists Association and Arbor Day Association Trees and Utilities Conference
3. Guest Lecturer, State University of New York College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill
4. The Appalachian Vegetation Management Association
5. The Northeast Gas Association
6. The Southern Gas Association
7. The Texas Vegetation Management Association
8. Mountain Lake Herbicide Conference
9. Florida Vegetation Management Association
10. Mid-Atlantic Chapter, International Erosions Control Association
11. Mid-Atlantic Chapter, International Society of Arboriculture
12. The Wildlife Habitat Council