Mike Lawler craves bird-watching. It's a hobby that's not only fun, he says, but also essential in a sense, as he balances the pursuit of a doctoral degree with serving at the helm of the University Extension's Center for Human Services.

The center offers hundreds of courses each year in professional development and provides training for agencies serving families, children and adults in need.

Lawler, director of the center for five years, finds getting away on an occasional canoe trip in search of birds and other creatures an "absolute necessity for a sense of grounding with my family and renewing a sense of togetherness." His family, which includes wife, Kim, and 13-year-old son Sebastian, also benefits from experiencing the sense of mystery and peace that the wilderness seems to offer, he said.

In his hectic life, Lawler needs this tranquility. On top of the 40 hours of work he puts in his job at the center each week he also has about eight hours of school responsibilities as he pursues a Department of Human and Community Development doctoral degree.

Although his coursework has been completed, trips to the library to work on his dissertation, which discusses the parental growth that occurs alongside child development, are quite frequent.

Trained as a social worker at UC Berkeley, Lawler decided to return to school in 1996.

"I wasn't done learning," he said. "I had always planned to return for a Ph.D., but little did I know I'd be in my early 40s when I completed it."

Lawler's wife, a writer and animal welfare advocate, is extremely supportive of the time her husband devotes to his career and scholarly work, he said.

Certainly, Lawler takes his doctoral work seriously. "There is something energizing about opening a great book," he said.

It is the interest in nature, though, which Lawler has shared with his wife since they met as undergraduates at Lewis and Clark College near Portland, Ore., that provides the glue to their family.

These days, whenever possible, the family retreats to a small cabin in the Sierra Nevada. This becomes the base of operations for hikes and day trips by water to view local fauna.

Not that he is the best canoe handler in the world, Lawler said, smiling and recalling a recent trip on Lost Creek Lake near the Plumas County town of La Porte. That small forest-rimmed lake is one of his favorite bird-watching destinations.

"In the space of a half hour I fell into the water twice," he said. "Once I tipped the canoe and the next time I knocked over Sebastian's kayak."

Lately, however, Lawler's canoe work has improved enough to allow him with the help of binoculars to easily spot wildlife and identify unusual species of birds along the shore.

What's the best thing about returning to school?

The chance to be a student. It's a wonderful opportunity to just challenge yourself.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of being an older student?

The major advantage is more experience and context for learning. I've been married for 18 years, have a 13-year-old son, and have worked in the human services for 20 years. The disadvantage is a lack of time because of other commitments.

Where are your least favorite and most favorite places on campus?

Least favorite? Probably the food court in the Silo student union. Part of that is I'm a vegetarian. My favorite place has to be the arboretum. It transports me to a totally different place and gives a sense of nature.

Where do you see your current research interests taking you?

• want it to continue to focus on at-risk families and on how parents perceive the development of their children. Hopefully, my current research will develop into a life-long research agenda.

What classes have you most enjoyed taking?

The biology requirements were most useful for me. My training and education had previously been focused on the social and cognitive aspects of human behavior.

What do you like about UC Davis compared with other colleges that you have attended?

• like this campus because the faculty members are focused and serious about their disciplines. At other colleges there can be a much stronger social emphasis or even a party atmosphere.

Have you seen any exciting new birds lately?

There's a rookery of black crowned night herons in the area that is really exciting to see. The young herons are very active, and the birds are very striking.

Bill Laws is a doctoral student in the School of Education studying language, literacy and culture.