Dr. Bissell has an extensive environmental career spanning over 40 years in botany, and the protection of natural heritage resources.  At the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, he currently serves as the Curator of Botany and Director of Conservation.  

 Click here for photos of Dr. Bissell as he researches, teaches as he makes a positive and lasting impact.  See the below comments from others.

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“Jim has the most acute awareness of habitat potential of any field biologist I have ever known; it’s like he has a special sense for knowing where in a swamp there’s going to be a rare plant community.”

“Jim has been active in PA state-level rare plant management work for at least two decades, and he has never stopped being a key resource in educating the public about the rich botanical resources we enjoy in this region, through free nature hikes and other activities in which people are directly engaged in invasive plant control work, at sites where invasives imperil rare and endangered plants.” 

Comments from J. Michael Campbell, Ph.D.

Professor of Biology, Mercyhurst College

President, Lake Erie Region Conservancy

President, Pennsylvania Academy of Science

“Jim is responsible for the majority of our modern knowledge on the flora of Erie County, with particular emphasis on the flora of Presque Isle State Park.  Jim has discovered the first populations of several plant species previously unknown to Pennsylvania.  Since beginning his work on Presque Isle in 1984, he has found 80 species of Pennsylvania threatened, rare, or endangered plants.  All of this helps make him the foremost botanical expert in the area.”

Comment from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Christopher Tracey, Ecologist/Conservation Planning Coordinator

Peter Woods, Ecologist

Ephraim Zimmerman, Ecologist/Ecological Services Coordinator