John Schorpp

John Schorpp—affectionately known as “The Osprey Man”—played a pivotal role in shaping Greenbury Point into the conservation area it is today. As Tower Manager for the Naval Radio Transmit Station from 1983 to 1999, John used his unique position—often perched 1,200 feet in the air—to protect the osprey that nested on the towers. At a time when the Navy’s policy was to remove osprey nests, John put an end to the practice, helping the species rebound after near-extinction from DDT exposure.

Beyond his advocacy, John became a skilled osprey rescuer, placing orphaned chicks with foster families and assisting injured birds. When the towers were decommissioned, he fought successfully to preserve three towers as permanent nesting sites. He also served as an on-site wildlife manager during Greenbury Point’s transition to a public conservation area, working alongside Natural Resources Manager Tina Lorentzen Carlson to launch the nature center and environmental programs.

John also contributed to the area’s historical preservation by donating artifacts to the Naval Academy Library and documenting significant archaeological finds. A long-time Epping Forest resident, John remains a vocal advocate for protecting the Greenbury Point Conservation Area—the wild space he helped to defend and define.