Steven Courtney is a British biologist and environmental policy expert. He has published extensively on bird and insect ecology, and on animal behavior. He has pioneered the use of independent scientific review as a way to solve environmental disputes. In 2017 Steven Courtney pleaded guilty to five counts of electronic peeping and was sentenced to County Jail. He is now a registered sex offender. Courtney's scientific research concerns the ecology and evolution of behavior. The 'hierarchy-threshold' model of diet choice, has been useful in understanding how animals (particularly insects) make decisions about resource use. Previously Director of Science at RESOLVE. His programs include conservation planning for threatened and endangered species, as well as large scale ecosystem management plans. He has also led several investigations into scientific integrity. Beginning in 1997, Courtney led scientific teams that established scientific consensus in the

Headwaters Forest The Headwaters Forest Reserve is a group of old growth coast redwood (''Sequoia sempervirens'') groves in the Northern California coastal forests ecoregion near Humboldt Bay of the U.S. state of California. Comprising about , it is managed by t ...

controversy, ultimately leading to the development of a

Habitat Conservation Plan A Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) is a required part of an application for an Incidental Take Permit, a permit issued under the United States Endangered Species Act (ESA) to private entities undertaking projects that might result in the destruct ...

that brought peaceful resolution to many years of confrontation. In 2004 Courtney led a team that summarized all scientific information regarding the

northern spotted owl The northern spotted owl (''Strix occidentalis caurina'') is one of three spotted owl subspecies. A western North American bird in the family Strigidae, genus '' Strix'', it is a medium-sized dark brown owl native to the Pacific Northwest. An ...

. This scientific synthesis altered the tenor of the debate over this iconic species, contributing to a recognition that fire and invasion by the

barred owl The barred owl (''Strix varia''), also known as the northern barred owl, striped owl or, more informally, hoot owl, is a North American large species of owl. A member of the true owl family, Strigidae, they belong to the genus '' Strix'', whic ...

were just as important threats as timber harvest. This scientific panel recommended the development of the first Recovery Plan to be finalized for the species. However the federal planning process was marred with controversy and accusations of political interference, leading to Courtney's recall to provide transparent and independent scientific evaluations. Ultimately the panel recommended significant changes, which led to a final Recovery Plan, and the current conservation strategy which distinguishes between fire-prone east-side forests and moister west-side forests. The shooting of barred owls to save spotted owls remains controversial. Courtney has also provided independent scientific evaluations for other controversial issues, such as management of marbled murrelet,

sage grouse Sage-grouse are grouse belonging to the bird genus ''Centrocercus.'' The genus includes two species: the Gunnison grouse (''Centrocercus minimus'') and the greater sage-grouse (''Centrocercus urophasianus''). These birds are distributed throug ...

, the

Everglades The Everglades is a natural region of tropical wetlands in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Florida, comprising the southern half of a large drainage basin within the Neotropical realm. The system begins near Orlando with the Kissim ...

, and several large North American river systems. He has also led teams investigating allegations of scientific misconduct. In 2014 he led a team of scientists that evaluated the genetics and taxonomic analysis underlying the proposed removal of ESA protections from the

wolf The wolf (''Canis lupus''; : wolves), also known as the gray wolf or grey wolf, is a large canine native to Eurasia and North America. More than thirty subspecies of ''Canis lupus'' have been recognized, and gray wolves, as popularly un ...

. The panel unanimously concluded that the science used was not the best available, a finding that fueled the ongoing controversy over management of the species In 2000, Courtney survived the crash of Singapore Airlines flight 006. He was recognized with a

Red Cross The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide. It was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and ...

Good Samaritan award for rescue of other passengers.

Electronic Peeping and Sex Offender

In October 2016, Courtney was arrested for installing multiple hidden cameras in the bedroom and shower of a Montecito house he sublet to acquaintances. A police search of Courtney’s computer and cell phone files showed he had been viewing the footage for sexual gratification. In 2017 he was sentenced to two months in County Jail and will serve 3 years of probation plus restitution fees for the victims. He pleaded guilty to five counts of electronic peeping and had been spying on his tenants for sexual gratification for more than a year. Courtney actively sought to rent out his front house to people he knew while he lived in the back unit. He was caught after one of the tenants found the miniature camera disguised as USB chargers and called the police. He must complete 18-month sex offender therapy and refrain from owning recording devices, including smartphones, for the next three years. Steven Courtney is now a registered sex offender.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Courtney, Steven Living people American environmentalists Year of birth missing (living people)