Sitting and smiling as a Mexican spotted owl snaps Eric’s photo in the Gila National Forest.
AtoZec Environmental Consulting, founded by wildlife biologist and found-object artist Eric Herman, blends science, art and intuition in service of the natural world. Specializing in wildlife surveys throughout Arizona and the Southwest, AtoZec also offers biological consulting and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) services. Eric runs the company solo—working out of his truck with field tools, data reports and a passion for the unknown. “I feel a bit like Ned Schaper, founder of nonprofit Mat Bevel Company,” he says. “I’m a one-person theater. I have to wear all the hats, belts and outfits.”
AtoZec has been a long-standing supporter of nonprofit Mat Bevel Company, including during the 2024–2025 ‘Plant The Seed’ campaign. Though the two organizations differ in scope, they share a core commitment to discovery. “To get to discovery, I use the scientific process,” Eric explains. “That means creating a repeatable process that others can plug into. It’s how we find accuracy.”
Eric’s approach to field work is immersive and instinctive. Observation is the first step—engaging all the senses, even taste, when necessary. And then there’s the “sixth sense” that guides him to his destination or end point: “It’s like a new color I’ve never seen. That’s how I know where the owl is before I see or hear it. It’s another dimension of feel.”
Eric stopping by the bone, grass and blue shinies of the original found object artist in the Australian Outback…the bowerbird.
Making mistakes, learning, and adjusting are all part of his daily scientific process. “There’s probably not an invention out there that was made on the first take,” he says. “The unknown is a large element of my every day.”
Beyond science, Eric is also a found-object artist who lets materials “choose their own path.” His process again mirrors that of Ned Schaper. “I never know what I’m going to find. I may have a bone and a bottle, and they somehow find a way to be friends,” Eric says. “Mystery is part of the fun. You don’t have to know how things will come together. Just keep exploring to see the story unfold. If you knew the ending, you wouldn’t need to explore.”
Always finding a moment or a hundred to screw around a bit.
Eric also gives back generously—sharing his work and wisdom with young people and aspiring scientists. He mentors emerging biologists in the field, participates in career fairs and was part of The Universe Within new guest series this year called Meet Your Local Superheroes. As he travels for work, he brings small relics from nature—bones, feathers, rocks, and stories—to inspire curiosity in local communities, especially with youth.
For Eric, his work is more than a job—it’s his calling. “It’s my bedrock,” he says. “And I wish that for others, too, especially kids. My advice to them is simple: Follow your passion, kiddos. Every time.”