Conservation Concepts was co-founded by Dawn and Del Ponder.

Dawn Ponder brings a wealth of insect rearing experience to Conservation Concepts.  Dawn has managed the insect rearing facility for the agriculture chemical division of BASF.  She also conducted biological, chemical, and environmental assays for Aventis, and later Bayer.   Dawn's research and development experience within those various organizations allowed her to bridge the gap between the biological and chemical disciplines.  In 2003, Dawn began work with beneficial insects for hemlocks while working at the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. 

It was from these first hand experiences that the management team recognized the private landowners need for a truly integrated pest management approach for dealing with the invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid. An approach that would emphasize scientifically proven beneficial predator insects, as well as, providing landowners with the most scientifically sound chemical control applications as an option when appropriate.  A choice between biological and chemical control had not previously been available to private landowners in the Southeast.  

Del Ponder has deep technical and management experience gained in a variety of industries.  He has held numerous research and development positions at Cardinal Health, The Chemical Industry Institute of Toxicology, and as a contract employee at Wyeth.  Del also managed a regional sales office for Sanyo Denki, conducting business with customers in the southeastern United States, Europe, and Asia.

The management team at Conservation Concepts is firmly committed to providing clients with the opportunity to control the invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.   For the landowner with 1 tree or 1000 trees, our mission is simply to provide the landowner with  the most appropriate and effective methods for managing this invasive pest.  The spring of 2008 will begin our fourth season working with hemlocks.