About The Author

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Leopoldo Miranda-Castro, a Puerto Rican-born biologist, has dedicated his career to wildlife and habitat conservation. His academic journey began at the University of Puerto Rico at Humacao, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Coastal Marine Biology, followed by a Master of Science in Zoology from North Carolina State University. He further expanded his expertise with graduate-level courses in Environmental Science and Public Policy at George Mason University in Virginia.

His professional path with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service started in Puerto Rico as a private lands biologist, advancing through roles that took him to Washington, DC, Chesapeake Bay, and eventually to Southeast Regional Director—a Senior Executive Service Regional Director position overseeing conservation across ten states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Today, Leo, an avid sportsman that loves fishing and hunting, own and manages Ochillee Farm in west-central Georgia, where he applies decades of ecological knowledge to restore the habitats and transform sandy, nutrient-poor soils into thriving food forests and gardens. 

Drawing from childhood lessons on his grandmother’s small but abundant homestead in Puerto Rico—a traditional coffee food forest yielding coffee alongside bananas, avocados, citrus, and countless other crops—he champions regenerative practices that mimic natural systems.

His work bridges traditional wisdom with modern science, promoting sustainable food production, wildlife-friendly landscapes, and resilient agroecosystems adaptable to diverse climates.

• Former Southeast Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Pioneer of the first shade-grown coffee restoration initiative in Puerto Rico
• Advocate for voluntary, incentive-based conservation partnerships
• Author of dozens of scientific and popular articles on wildlife habitat management, and policy (For some examples, click here)
• Passionate homesteader committed to soil revival and self-sufficient farming