About us - Urban Wildlife Research Project

At the Urban Wildlife Research Project (UWRP), we are dedicated to protecting the gray fox and other urban wildlife in the San Francisco Bay Area. Through groundbreaking research, advocacy, and public education, we document wildlife behavior to safeguard the biodiverse habitats they rely on. Our mission is not just about conservation – it’s about fostering a world where people and wildlife can thrive together.

The Urban Wildlife Research Project

Founded in 2009, the Urban Wildlife Research Project (UWRP) was born from a moment of discovery—when Bill Leikam, affectionately known as “The Fox Guy,” stumbled upon a thriving family of gray foxes in the heart of the San Francisco Baylands. In a landscape increasingly shaped by urban expansion, this chance encounter sparked a mission: to document, protect, and advocate for the region’s wildlife.

At UWRP, we are dedicated to bridging the gap between bustling city life and the delicate ecosystems that exist within it. Through scientific research, community engagement, and steadfast advocacy, we work to understand and preserve the behaviors of urban wildlife, with a special focus on the resilient yet vulnerable gray fox.

Our work is built on a foundation of rigorous field research and an unparalleled archive of data—over 8 terabytes collected across more than a decade. This invaluable resource fuels conservation efforts, supports biologists and citizen scientists, and deepens our collective understanding of urban wildlife.

The disappearance of the local gray fox population in both 2016 and 2024 stands as a stark reminder of the challenges these animals face. Yet, rather than deter us, these losses strengthen our resolve. By protecting key habitats, advocating for sustainable urban planning, and educating the public, we strive to create a future where wildlife and people can coexist in harmony.

Join us in our mission to ensure that all urban wildlife continues to have a place in our shared world. Together, we can make a lasting impact on conservation.

the road to fox hollow

To learn more about Bill’s legacy researching gray foxes, give his latest book a read: ‘The Road to Fox Hollow’ can be purchased at Barnes & Noble Booksellers and directly from the publisher Di Angelo Publications.

Board of Directors & Volunteers

Co-Founder, President of the Board, Treasurer
Bill Leikam

Co-Founder and Advisory Board Member
Greg Kerekes

Co-Founder, President of the Board, Treasurer

Bill Leikam

Bill Leikam has been conducting groundbreaking field research on the behavior of gray foxes since October 2009, making significant contributions to our understanding of these elusive animals. Widely recognized for his work, he has been praised in Beth Pratt’s When Mountain Lions Are Neighbors as “the Jane Goodall of the gray fox.” His expertise also extends to conservation efforts as an associate director of the North Santa Clara Resource Conservation District. Bill’s achievements span both science and the arts. He contributed to Canids of the World by Dr. José Castelló, published by Princeton University Press, and has been featured in various magazines and news articles. Additionally, he is a published live jazz reviewer for All About Jazz. In 1981, his research into the nature of consciousness earned him a place as a delegate to the People’s Republic of China. A lifelong advocate for wildlife and environmental stewardship, Bill finds inspiration in the words of Chief Dan George of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation: “If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them, and what you do not know you will fear. What one fears one destroys.”

Co-Founder and Advisory Board Member

Greg Kerekes

Associate Director and co-founder Greg Kerekes is a wildlife conservation photographer and researcher dedicated to documenting and preserving the natural diversity of Santa Clara County and beyond. He is currently developing a documentary series highlighting the region’s wildlife and the challenges they face in an urbanized landscape. Greg’s work includes capturing the first-ever videos of a beaver living on the Guadalupe River in San Jose, California. Through research and photography, he raises awareness about urban wildlife corridors and habitat conservation. Greg and his wife, Alexandria, also an Associate Director, are engaged in sustainable urban agriculture, running organic farms and selling their produce at Farmer’s Markets. They are passionate educators, teaching children about vernal pond ecosystems and conservation ecology, fostering a deeper understanding of the connection between wildlife, habitat, and human communities.

Board Member

AnMarie Rodgers

AnMarie Rodgers, Deputy Director at the Treasure Island Development Authority, is leading the creation of the world’s largest and most sustainable neighborhood, recognized by LEED. Previously, she directed Citywide Policy at the San Francisco Planning Department, overseeing transformative projects such as the HUB, Shared Spaces, and ClimateSF. With a talent for building relationships with elected officials and a track record of developing landmark community plans, including Market & Octavia and Glen Park, AnMarie has played a key role in shaping San Francisco’s urban landscape. As a UWRP board member, she merges her passion for nature with her professional expertise, recognizing that the future depends on inclusive land use planning, regional collaboration, and creating livable environments for all species.