Michael Cox is a lifelong Albuquerque resident who brings a unique combination of legal experience, environmental education, and a passion for connecting people with the natural world to Talking Talons Youth Leadership’s Board of Directors.

A graduate of Del Norte High School and the University of New Mexico, Michael earned his undergraduate degree in psychology before completing his law degree at the University of New Mexico School of Law. His legal career included service as a prosecutor in Raton, Clayton, and Albuquerque, where he spent his final eight years in the District Attorney’s Office as Chief Deputy in Charge of Prosecution. He later served as a prosecutor with the United States Attorney’s Office and as Director of Special Prosecutions for the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office.

Throughout his legal career, Michael was also committed to education and mentorship. He taught a variety of legal topics to young attorneys throughout New Mexico and spent more than 20 years coaching the Sandia Preparatory School High School Mock Trial Team.

In 2012, Michael stepped away from the full-time practice of law and became a Master Naturalist, beginning a new chapter centered on environmental education. He has since served as a volunteer environmental educator at the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, where he continues to teach students about the natural world. He has also remained actively involved in the Master Naturalist Program, serving on its advisory board and helping welcome new participants to the Sandia Mountain Natural History Center each year.

Through his work with students, Michael discovered the educational value of wildlife tracking and sign identification and developed a personal passion for the practice. He founded a local tracking club and teaches tracking workshops for a variety of organizations, including City and County Open Space programs, the Master Naturalist Program, the Rio Grande Nature Center, Bosque School, Candelaria Nature Preserve, the New Mexico Mountain Club, and Talking Talons Youth Leadership.

Michael and his wife, Sharon Sivinski, have been married since 1981. They live in Albuquerque and have three children and two grandchildren. Together, they enjoy hiking, cross-country skiing, and bicycling.