Early Work

I had my first real foray into research and ecology in an introductory undergraduate seminar class that dove into the world of natural history museums. This class really opened my eyes to the fact that doing research could be a career all on its own and that it could be built around working and thinking about wildlife! I had some very formative experiences and mentors and even had my first opportunity to take field notes during a field trip for the class. I remember sketching out a lizard we spotted that day and detailing its behaviors in my little notebook. I was hooked! Needless to say, I fell in love with ecology and explored opportunities afterwards to volunteer in a number of different ecology research labs working with bees, lizards, and rodents!

Most Exciting Part of Your Work

I love knowing that the work I’m doing is contributing to making conservation better for the place I call home. My work examining the effects of wildfires on wildlife species across California gives me the great privilege to travel and explore different parts of the state, and it has only deepened my love for its natural beauty, its wildlife communities and the diverse people that call it home as well! I use trail cameras to observe mammal species in the field and I always get giddy when it’s time to check them. Each one is like a miniature boxed surprise waiting to be opened to see what wildlife has been around since I last visited. I always get extra excited when I spot rarer species visiting my cameras, like badgers, spotted skunks, and mountain lions (Puma concolor).

Most Demanding Part of Your Work

Some aspects of the research can be quite physically demanding. The fires I examine often occur across very rugged landscapes that do not always have convenient road access. This can mean long, difficult hikes in and out of field sites while carrying equipment. This can be especially difficult in the summer under the very hot Californian sun. Another aspect that can be uncomfortable at times is the lack of diversity in many of the geographic locations and scientific fields I do my work in. Navigating feelings of not belonging in certain spaces can be difficult, but it’s part of the reason I want to work towards broadening diversity in ecology and science.

What Being an Explorer Means to You

A big part of what it means to be an Explorer, to me, is working towards broadening diversity in the science and landscapes that I love. Being an Explorer serves as an opportunity to lead by example and open opportunities for folks who may also be interested in learning more about science and conservation but have yet to see themselves in these types of roles. It also means presenting myself as a leader in conservation and undertaking the serious task of working with others to protect biodiversity around the world.

Explorer Work Showcase

Most recently, I’m excited by a study that I led which has just come out, in which I used GPS collars to examine how black-tailed deer responded to a large wildfire in Northern California. The GPS collars let us observe the locations of deer over time before and after the fire and allow us to learn more about their behaviors. This project spanned several years and was a fun team-up with some of my favorite scientists! And we had some exciting results showing that deer are able to adjust their behavior to be resilient to the effects of this large fire. Check out the study here: https://movementecologyjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40462-024-00488-4

So, You Want To Be a Wildlife Ecologist

If you want to be a wildlife ecologist it’s important to give yourself grace when trying new things. Fieldwork can be tough and it’s important to find the people and places you feel most comfortable working with. Finding a supportive mentor with some experience is also really important in learning more about the field. I also encourage people that are interested in ecology to stay curious and take time to learn about the natural world around them. The best ecologists take the time to become familiar with the environments that they are working in, both the wildlife and plant species, and the people that coexist among them too.

Get Involved

Take time to learn about the landscapes around you, the wildlife species we share it with, and the history of those lands as well. Community science is a great way to stay engaged with the broader ecosystems we find ourselves in. Community science can also help other researchers ask and answer more complicated research questions about biodiversity conservation. Also, it’s essential to support groups and projects like #BlackMammalogistsWeek that work to diversify science for underrepresented groups to make the work more inclusive for everyone.