Wildlife

Wildlife ecologist present at international raptor conference

Four Wildlife graduate students (Elizabeth Meisman, Jadzia Rodriguez, Lauren Jackson, Ayla Zolwik) and their advisor (Matt Johnson) each presented their latest research findings at the 2025 Raptor Research Foundation's annual conference, held Oct. 13-18, in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Barbara Clucas and Stephanie Stragier, Wildlife

Dr. Barbara Clucas and graduate student Stephanie Stragier were awarded a grant from the Sequoia Park Zoo to support a study investigating habitat quality of the Western snowy plover, a threatened coastal bird species.

Student recognition at Professional Conferences

Undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Wildlife at Cal Poly Humboldt were recognized at two recent professional conferences for their academic achievements. 

The following students earned recognition and award money for "Best posters":

Rick Golightly, Wildlife

Dr. Rick Golightly received grant funding to support years 31 to 35 of a long-term project aimed at restoring and monitoring vulnerable seabird populations along the central California coast.

Dan Barton (Faculty, Wildlife)

Dan Barton (Faculty, Wildlife) chaired the scientific program of an international joint conference between the Pacific Seabird Group and the Waterbird Society, held in San José, Costa Rica, in early January 2025.

Barbara Clucas and Leah Roll, Wildlife

Dr. Barbara Clucas received Bureau of Land Management funding to support collaborative research with Texas A&M that will investigate common raven presence in Gunnison sage grouse (GUSG) habitat in Colorado.

Wildlife graduate student research published

Current NR-Wildlife graduate student Rebeca Becdach led a collaborative effort to publish an exciting article on equity in publishing in the high-impact Journal of Wildlife Management.

Wildlife graduate student thesis published

Former NR-Wildlife graduate student Evelyn Lichwa had her thesis research published in the high-impact Journal of Mammalogy. The article is entitled "Ecological and social drivers of Mexican Wolf home range size across spatiotemporal scales".

Wildlife graduate student thesis published

Former NR-Wildlife graduate student Holly Gamblin had her thesis research published in the journal Northwest Science. The article is entitled "Habitat Use and Distribution of a Recently Discovered Population of Humboldt Martens". Advisor Micaela Szykman Gunther is a coauthor. 

Dan Barton (Faculty, Wildlife) elected president of the Pacific Seabird Group

Dan Barton (Associate Professor and Department Chair, Wildlife) was elected chair of the Pacific Seabird Group, a role in which he will serve for the next three years.