Training & Capacity Building
SMA Consulting can provide training to businesses, corporations, government entities, schools, universities, state and local law enforcement personnel, environmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations.
Throughout his 24 year career in wildlife law enforcement Mr. Amato has taught, trained or otherwise presented material on a wide variety of wildlife and environmental topics. Mr. Amato was regularly tapped to provide training to new Fish and Wildlife Service agents at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. He annually presented Endangered Species Act topics to students at the University of Massachusetts Department Of Environmental Conservation. A recognized expert, Mr. Amato also regularly trained both government agencies and industry representatives on wildlife trade and regulatory compliance issues.
Mr. Amato has extensive experience in international training and capacity building both from his time as the Head of the USFWS Intelligence Unit and as a member of the INTERPOL Environmental and Wildlife Crimes Working Groups. He trained rangers in Africa to help stop poaching of elephants and rhinoceros, customs and wildlife officials in Kazakhstan to help stop poaching and black market trade in sturgeon roe (caviar), and officials in Mexico to address poaching and the illegal trade in sea turtles.
Areas of Training and Expertise
- Endangered Species Act
- Migratory Bird Treaty Act
- Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
- Lacey Act
- Airborne Hunting Act
- Marine Mammal Protection Act
- Rhino Tiger Act
- Environmental Contaminants Investigations
- Effective Collection and Use of Intelligence
- Criminal Investigations including Undercover Operations
- Wildlife trade, including import/export requirements
- Conservation Leadership
- Strategic and Workforce Planning
