Michael Meisenburg

Owner & Ecologist

Prior to founding Kestrel Ecological Services, Michael was a research biologist at the University of Florida's Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, where he was responsible for evaluating herbicides for their effectiveness in controlling invasive weeds.  In an earlier role at the Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants, he was a biological technician working specifically with public education regarding the invasive species melaleuca and its control, as well as conducting herbicide trials. 

Michael also worked for AmerAquatic and Environmental Waterway Management where he maintained lakes and waterways to control algae and submersed and emergent aquatic vegetation, and was responsible for employees training in the Daytona and Jacksonville regions.

Michael holds a BS in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation and an MS in Agronomy from the University of Florida.  He is a licensed pesticide applicator in natural areas, aquatic, and landscape weed Management. 

Michael is an active member of the Florida ecological community and is a member of the Florida Native Plant Society and the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council. He is past president of Alachua Audubon Society.

Erick Smith

Owner & Ecologist

Prior to founding Kestrel Ecological Services, Erick was the urban forester at the University of Florida where he was responsible for maintaining the health of all the trees on 2,000+ acres in the urban landscape and conservation areas of the campus.  

He also was a research project manager at the University of Florida School of Forest Resources and Conservation's Wildland Urban Interface Center, where he designed and implemented a residential landscaping fire behavior experiment. 

Erick has also been an Exotic Invasive Removal Technician at Florida State Parks District II, where he was responsible for treating FLEPPC Category I & II plants with the most current and effective herbicides and also gave classes and seminars on exotic invasive plant control to park employees.

He has also been a forester with Urban Forestry Services where he consulted on tree surveys, hazard tree evaluation, exotic invasive plant control and site plan monitoring.  In addition, he assisted with seed collection, preparation and sowing for the native plant nursery. 

Erick holds a B.S. in Forestry from the University of Florida.  He is a ISA Certified Professional Arborist and and licensed commercial pesticide applicator in natural areas, rights-of,way, and landscaped weed management. 

Erick is an active member of the Florida ecological community and is currently serving as secretary for the Payne's Prairie chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and is a member of Alachua Audubon Society and the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council.