Christina Rockwell, 2011

Thesis:

Bolder, older, and selective: factors of individual-specific foraging strategies in Steller's jays

Biologist, Environmental Consultant

Ivonne Romero,

Thesis:

Behavior and distribution of tundra and trumpeter swans wintering in Skagit valley, WA, USA

Exploring activity patterns and movements of tundra and trumpetor swans wintering in Skagit valley, WA, USA

Began Spring 2023.

Jessica Barger, 2021

Thesis:

Barger, JL 2021. Merging Art and Science : Lessons Learned from an ‘Otterly’ Different Case Study . Humboldt State University

Currently working with Cal Trans mitigation team. Wildlife Biologist.

Bryan Daniels, 2014

Thesis:

Activity budgets, daily energy expenditure and energetic model of Black Brant Branta bernicla nigricans during winter and spring along the Lower Alaska Peninsula.

Waterfowl Biologist, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge

Matt Delgado, 2019

Thesis:

Achromatic plumage patch quality: internal organ and skeletal correlates in Aleutian cackling geese (Branta hutchinsii leucopareia)

Shaun Thornton, 2023

Thesis:

A return to the staging grounds : reassessment of Aleutian cackling goose spring distribution in north Humboldt Bay

Despite this dramatic population increase since the last management plan was implemented there may be less complaints with farmers saying that the geese have been ‘distributing themselves’ evenly on the landscape without the need for hazing. This study aims to describe the spatial and temporal distribution of the Aleutian goose in terms of landscape features and the influence of the ‘disturbance management’ strategy that has been in practice for the last 15 years. My objectives are to: 1) model patterns of Aleutian goose distribution while foraging and roosting in relation to habitat, spatial landscape features, and sources of disturbance; 2) assess birds’ habituation or lack thereof to the management plan and late season hunt; and 3) quantify goose body condition in relation to disturbance level, thus enabling a comparison with historic patterns (Mini and Black 2009; Spragens et al. 2015). A reassessment of the Aleutian goose’s spatial and temporal distribution during spring staging may provide managers with insight on carrying capacity for the region and habitat requirements vital to successful management.

Began Spring, 2021 and finished 2023.

Josh Cocke, 2013

Thesis:

Observations of Aleutian Cackling Geese (Branta hutchinsii leucopareia) breeding on Buldir Island, Alaska: forty-seven years after the discovery of a remnant population

Wildlife Biologist, US Forest Service

Tylor Bell Rogers,

Thesis:

Thesis topic: Quantifying the "domain of danger" for Buffleheads at the Arcata Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary. The focus will be on describing foraging patterns and space use of Buffleheads in relation to predation risk from River Otters.

Began Fall 2024.

Charlotte Norman,

Thesis:

Symmetry in Affiliative Interactions of North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis)

Charlotte will be conducting a behavioral study of river otter groups at the Little River Estuary in Trinidad, CA using video playback and analysis. She will explore the degree of symmetry present in affiliative social behaviors (allogrooming and play) between different age and sex classes.

Jennie Jones Scherbinski, 2018

Thesis:

The influence of microclimate and local adaptation for a climate-sensitive species (Aplodontia rufa)

My interest in wildlife conservation has been clear ever since founding the Endangered Species Club in the third grade. After completing my undergraduate degree at University of Colorado, Boulder, I pursued my interest in endangered species while spending 6 years working for the California Condor Recovery Program. Working with the condors, only furthered my passion to work with imperiled wildlife and sparked a particular interest in finding adaptive ways for humans and wildlife to coexist and even benefit from sharing the landscape. For my thesis, I will be studying a very different endangered species, the Point Arena Mountain Beaver (PAMB). Despite being the most primitive living rodent, limited research has been done on mountain beavers and this California endemic subspecies is now threatened with extinction. My focus will be studying biological and ecological variables to help understand the best ways to manage a mixed use landscape for PAMB conservation. I am eager to study the habits of these elusive animals and hopefully contribute to their recovery.