Lawrence Master (NY), Chief Zoologist, Nature Serve. It would be fair to say that each and every river protection effort in this country has been touched by the work and passion of Lawrence Master. Larry’s career began with his doctoral and post-doctoral work at the University of Michigan, in which he helped establish the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. Shortly thereafter, he was hired as one of the first scientists to join the Nature Conservancy to help them determine how to protect the planet’s biodiversity.