Katzner received his B.A. from Oberlin College, his M.S. from the University of Wyoming for research on pygmy rabbits and Ph.D. from Arizona State University for work focused on ecology and conservation of eagles in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Today his research program focuses on conservation and ecology of birds of prey, especially eagles and vultures, in the USA and in central Asia. The golden eagle and wind energy work, in collaboration with the other awardees, is his most important project in North America. Katzner is also a co-editor and author of the book “The Eagle Watchers.”