Images

A USGS scientist analyzes dragonfly larvae samples for mercury as part of the Dragonfly Mercury Project. 

USGS scientist Tylor Rosera analyzes dragonfly larvae samples for mercury as part of the Dragonfly Mercury Project. 

USGS scientist collects a water-quality sample in the Grand Canyon, Arizona. 

Javan was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest (Washington and Idaho) and received his M.S. from Idaho State University where he studied the movement and habitat ecology of prairie rattlesnakes. He then worked for non-profit reptile conservation organization, The Orianne Society, conducting and directing research projects to guide reptile conservation efforts.

I completed a B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst in 2004, a M.S. in Biology at Purdue at Fort Wayne in 2008, and a PhD in Natural Resources at University of Illinois in 2014.

Juvenile Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) behavior is assessed following exposure to 6PPD-quinone, a derivative of the compound 6PPD which is used in tires to prevent wear.

Due to multiple reasons including the widespread use of microplastics, their environmental persistence, the global connectedness of aquatic environments, and the long-range transport of microplastics, these particles have been documented in every environmental compartment (e.g., air, water, soils).

At the heart of Wisconsin’s rich fishing culture is the walleye – a legendary fish with big, pearly, reflective eyes. In Ojibwe, the fish is called “ogaa" and symbolizes knowledge, illumination, and guidance. Their unique eyes guide them through cool, dark, murky waters, making them formidable predators and a challenging catch for anglers.

Benjamin Miller holding an endangered razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) captured at an experimental wood addition site on the San Juan River. 

Fragmented tropical forest in western Costa Rica near USGS Las Cruces Biological Station.

Contiguous tropical forest in western Costa Rica near Las Cruces Biological Station

The USGS One Health approach addresses the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment.

RAMPS Coordinator Laura Shriver (left) and RAMPS Biologist Sarah Costanzo (right) pose with a poster describing the RAMPS project RestoreNet at the Society for Ecological Restoration – Southwest Chapter 2023 Annual Conference in Sant

RAMPS and the Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE) get together to discuss potential seeding network across New Mexico at the Society for Ecological Restoration – Southwest Chapter 2023 Annual Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Workflow for integrating fire behavior modeling into post-fire hazard risk models. QUIC-Fire is a fast, 3-D simulation tool for prescribed fire planning. It can help managers understand the complex and dynamic behavior of wildland fires.

Striped Bass are an important sportfish in Missouri and a goal of reservoir stocking programs is to create a unique angling opportunity to catch a trophy fish. However, there is concern among fishery managers and anglers that stocked striped bass may compete with or prey upon other sport fishes like crappie and bass.

A Grand Challenge. A 21^st century grand challenge for natural resource conservation is how to connect data to successful action. This critical link between research (data) and management/policy decisions (action) is widely examined.

Connectivity between populations is a conservation goal, as is establishment of populations in currently unoccupied recovery areas. This requires a better understanding of habitat selection within existing populations and ability to predict connectivity pathways among ecosystems.

This project all started when I began thinking about deer behaviors that may have been overlooked when we think of how chronic wasting disease might be spreading geographically. Something that’s overlooked in the literature on CWD is deer grooming behaviors. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) practice grooming.

Watercolor painting of an eastern bluebird, Julia Olson, New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. 

• Length: 5.5 inches
• Thin bill
• Most often seen in open habitats: agricultural areas, wood edges, et al
• Southwestern United States birds are paler

Lara researches human-carnivore conflict, and is interested in the intersections between culture, identity, and ecology. Lara's area of expertise is wildlife management, specializing in carnivores.