David Policansky, Ph.D.

David was reelected to the Board in 2026.  He served as a Friends board member for two terms in recent years and found it to be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. He has experience or knowledge in hydrology and water legislation, conflict resolution, fundraising, writing letters to legislators, doing outreach and knowledge of indigenous cultures and their history in our area. He has knowledge of the US government, the Department of the Interior and Congress. 

David is a biologist with knowledge about ecosystems, endangered species, birds and fish. He has visited Bosque del Apache and has photographed there for over twenty years. He is familiar with the history of New Mexico from the time the Spanish settlers arrived in 1598 and the Hispanic and Anglo cultures as well. As an academic scientist, he has published dozens of peer-reviewed papers and book chapters and contributed to the publication of more than thirty-five scientific reports of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. He has also had four books published recently on historic Catholic churches in New Mexico and was featured in New Mexico Magazine in March 2026.  David lives in Santa Fe, NM.