Across the country, the places birds depend on are disappearing. Development has replaced native landscapes with sterile lawns and non-native plants. Glass buildings, pesticides, and habitat loss put birds at risk every day. Too many of the spaces birds once relied on for food, shelter, and safe passage simply aren’t there anymore.
Through habitat restoration, native plant education, and community engagement, we’re helping transform neighborhoods into places where birds can flourish—and where people benefit from healthier, more vibrant natural spaces close to home.
But RJ, this work takes more than any single program or season. Protecting birds requires sustained action across science, advocacy, education, and on-the—ground conservation—and it depends on the steafast support of people like you.
For 120 years, our rigorous science has identified which birds are threatened, which habitats are most in need of protection, and which birds will most benefit from our efforts. Those findings guide our work on their behalf: restoring and protecting habitats, leading nationwide community science efforts, and advocating for bird-friendly policies.
Using our proven combination of committed advocacy, empowering education, and expert on-the-ground conservation—all guided by science and grounded in our shared love for birds—we’ve been able to give species a better chance at survival.
We’re dedicated to protecting birds and their habitats, today and tomorrow—and we’re relying on the steadfast support of bird lovers like you to make it all possible.
I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis.
I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God.
I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree.
Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons.
I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA.
While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon..
In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God.
We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987).
From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting.
Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982.
I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects.
In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston.
In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018.
Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia.
In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey.
As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova.
Love and God Bless,
Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi
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RJ Hamster 