Joe E. Heimlich, Ph.D. is Co-Director for the COSI Center for Research and Evaluation, and a Senior Researcher in the Center’s Lifelong Learning Group.  His research and evaluation work focuses on projects related to informal learning and capacity building for zoos, nature centers, parks, gardens, science centers, and other museums.  He is also an Academy Professor Emeritus with The Ohio State University where he was an Extension Specialist in museums and organizational capacity building, served as Leader, Environmental Science for OSUE, and held appointments in the School of Environment and Natural Resources, the Environmental Science Graduate Program, and the College of Education and Human Ecology.  Joe has been engaged in environmental free-choice learning for over 35 years and is the author of over a hundred academic journal articles, chapters, and books, and has written more than 350 reports, fact sheets, bulletins, white papers, and popular publications.