Keychain developed for USGS outreach activities about bird banding and reporting in Yup'ik and English. Yup'ik translation provided by Jakob Sipary, Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP).
John M. Pearce, Ph.D.
I am the Program Manager for marine and terrestrial ecosystems research at the USGS Alaska Science Center. I also coordinate the USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystems Initiative and provide outreach to the public about our research. I have been a research biologist in Alaska for 25 plus years studying migratory birds, avian disease, and population genetics.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 42
Terrestrial Ecosystems
The USGS conducts research on trust Department of Interior migratory bird and mammal species and their habitats to inform agencies such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service in their natural resource management decisions.
Q&A: USGS and 2024 the Anchorage Bike to Work Day
For the May 17, 2024, Anchorage Bike to Work Day, the USGS Alaska Science Center will again host a station along the Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail where people can learn about the USGS streamgage on the creek and about the common birds of Chanshtnu. Chester Creek or Chanshtnu, which means ‘grass creek’ in the Dena’ina language, runs for about 20 miles from the Chugach mountains in the...
Collaborative Science for Priority Information Needs
One of the primary missions of the USGS is to address the science needs of Department of Interior bureaus, particularly those that manage natural resources and lands. This mission is fulfilled through the research and other activities of USGS scientists but also specifically through three USGS nationally-funded programs listed below.
Avian Influenza Research
Since 2006, the USGS Alaska Science Center has been part of the State and Federal interagency team for the detection and response to highly pathogenic (HPAI) viruses in North America. Avian influenza or "bird flu" is a viral disease that primarily infects domestic poultry and wild birds. Avian influenza viruses are naturally occurring in wild birds such as ducks, geese, swans, and gulls. These...
Tracking Data Releases
U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, has previously released tracking data sets of polar bears and Greater White-fronted goose.
Landbird Research in Alaska
On this page, learn about USGS work on Beak Deformities and Boreal Partners in Flight.
Wildlife Disease and Environmental Health in Alaska
Environmental health is defined by connections between the physical environment, ecological health, and human health. Current research within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recognizes the importance of this integrated research philosophy, which includes study of disease and pollutants as they pertain to both wildlife and humans. Due to its key geographic location and significant wildlife...
Q&A: USGS Alaska Science Opportunities for Alaska Pacific University Students
In Alaska, the USGS has its primary office located on the campus of Alaska Pacific University (APU). This co-location provides USGS staff and APU students and faculty numerous opportunities for science collaboration and training. Here, we provide more information about these opportunities and talk with USGS and APU staff who are helping to coordinate the program.
Alaska's Changing Habitats: A Multi-System Approach for Understanding Climate Impacts in High Latitude Regions
Scientific information can be used to help individuals, communities, and governments alike make more informed decisions. However, for people to become aware of the science that could inform their decisions and its relevance to their lives and decisions, it must be communicated effectively. Multiple obstacles prevent this from happening, including scientists’ lack of time and...
Q&A: Polar Bears and Zoos
Polar bears are found throughout the circumpolar Arctic and roam across miles of sea ice and land. They prefer to eat blubber, especially from seals that are also found on the sea ice. However, the sea ice habitat of polar bears is changing rapidly with substantial recent declines in the extent of sea ice in the Arctic. These changes are leading polar bears to spend more time on land in some areas...
Q&A: Cook Inlet Seabird and Forage Fish Study
Alaska has over 6,500 miles of coastline and the marine areas off these coasts are some of the most productive in the world in terms of fish and the seabirds that often feed on those fish. Almost 100 million seabirds breed and nest along the rocky and grassy coastlines of Alaska. The status and population trends of fish and seabirds is of interest to many people in Alaska because their abundance...
Q&A: Virtual Student Federal Service
The USGS is always looking for new ways to work with students. Student involvement in our science provides the USGS with new perspectives on how to communicate and enhance the work that we do. The USGS also realizes the potential that our work has to provide new skills and career opportunities, not only in scientific research, but in science communication and outreach, data management, and...
Filter Total Items: 28
Keychain for USGS outreach activities about bird banding and reporting
Keychain developed for USGS outreach activities about bird banding and reporting in Yup'ik and English. Yup'ik translation provided by Jakob Sipary, Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP).
Canada goose (Branta canadensis), Anchorage, AK
Canada goose (Branta canadensis), Anchorage, AK
Canada goose (Branta canadensis), Anchorage, AK
Northern Pintail Ducks
A flock of wintering northern pintail ducks takes flight in Northern Honshu, Japan.
A flock of wintering northern pintail ducks takes flight in Northern Honshu, Japan.
White-fronted geese defend their nest from an arctic fox
White-fronted geese defend their nest from an arctic fox on the Arctic Coastal Plain in northern Alaska. June 2014, USGS photo.
White-fronted geese defend their nest from an arctic fox on the Arctic Coastal Plain in northern Alaska. June 2014, USGS photo.
White-fronted geese at their nest site while a caribou stands in the foreground
White-fronted geese at their nest site while a caribou stands in the foreground on the Arctic Coastal Plain in northern Alaska. June 2014, USGS photo.
White-fronted geese at their nest site while a caribou stands in the foreground on the Arctic Coastal Plain in northern Alaska. June 2014, USGS photo.
Feeding Wildlife by the Shoreline
The Role of Environment and Wildlife in Human Health. Human - wildlife interactions threatened by emerging diseases including avian influenza.
The Role of Environment and Wildlife in Human Health. Human - wildlife interactions threatened by emerging diseases including avian influenza.
Flock of Northern Pintail Ducks
A flock of wintering northern pintail ducks takes flight in Northern Honshu, Japan. This photo was taken as part of a study to understand the migratory movements of this species and to assess if these birds could transmit highly pathogenic avian influenza from Asia to North America via Alaska.
A flock of wintering northern pintail ducks takes flight in Northern Honshu, Japan. This photo was taken as part of a study to understand the migratory movements of this species and to assess if these birds could transmit highly pathogenic avian influenza from Asia to North America via Alaska.
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 42
Terrestrial Ecosystems
The USGS conducts research on trust Department of Interior migratory bird and mammal species and their habitats to inform agencies such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service in their natural resource management decisions.
Q&A: USGS and 2024 the Anchorage Bike to Work Day
For the May 17, 2024, Anchorage Bike to Work Day, the USGS Alaska Science Center will again host a station along the Lanie Fleischer Chester Creek Trail where people can learn about the USGS streamgage on the creek and about the common birds of Chanshtnu. Chester Creek or Chanshtnu, which means ‘grass creek’ in the Dena’ina language, runs for about 20 miles from the Chugach mountains in the...
Collaborative Science for Priority Information Needs
One of the primary missions of the USGS is to address the science needs of Department of Interior bureaus, particularly those that manage natural resources and lands. This mission is fulfilled through the research and other activities of USGS scientists but also specifically through three USGS nationally-funded programs listed below.
Avian Influenza Research
Since 2006, the USGS Alaska Science Center has been part of the State and Federal interagency team for the detection and response to highly pathogenic (HPAI) viruses in North America. Avian influenza or "bird flu" is a viral disease that primarily infects domestic poultry and wild birds. Avian influenza viruses are naturally occurring in wild birds such as ducks, geese, swans, and gulls. These...
Tracking Data Releases
U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, has previously released tracking data sets of polar bears and Greater White-fronted goose.
Landbird Research in Alaska
On this page, learn about USGS work on Beak Deformities and Boreal Partners in Flight.
Wildlife Disease and Environmental Health in Alaska
Environmental health is defined by connections between the physical environment, ecological health, and human health. Current research within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recognizes the importance of this integrated research philosophy, which includes study of disease and pollutants as they pertain to both wildlife and humans. Due to its key geographic location and significant wildlife...
Q&A: USGS Alaska Science Opportunities for Alaska Pacific University Students
In Alaska, the USGS has its primary office located on the campus of Alaska Pacific University (APU). This co-location provides USGS staff and APU students and faculty numerous opportunities for science collaboration and training. Here, we provide more information about these opportunities and talk with USGS and APU staff who are helping to coordinate the program.
Alaska's Changing Habitats: A Multi-System Approach for Understanding Climate Impacts in High Latitude Regions
Scientific information can be used to help individuals, communities, and governments alike make more informed decisions. However, for people to become aware of the science that could inform their decisions and its relevance to their lives and decisions, it must be communicated effectively. Multiple obstacles prevent this from happening, including scientists’ lack of time and...
Q&A: Polar Bears and Zoos
Polar bears are found throughout the circumpolar Arctic and roam across miles of sea ice and land. They prefer to eat blubber, especially from seals that are also found on the sea ice. However, the sea ice habitat of polar bears is changing rapidly with substantial recent declines in the extent of sea ice in the Arctic. These changes are leading polar bears to spend more time on land in some areas...
Q&A: Cook Inlet Seabird and Forage Fish Study
Alaska has over 6,500 miles of coastline and the marine areas off these coasts are some of the most productive in the world in terms of fish and the seabirds that often feed on those fish. Almost 100 million seabirds breed and nest along the rocky and grassy coastlines of Alaska. The status and population trends of fish and seabirds is of interest to many people in Alaska because their abundance...
Q&A: Virtual Student Federal Service
The USGS is always looking for new ways to work with students. Student involvement in our science provides the USGS with new perspectives on how to communicate and enhance the work that we do. The USGS also realizes the potential that our work has to provide new skills and career opportunities, not only in scientific research, but in science communication and outreach, data management, and...
Filter Total Items: 28
Keychain for USGS outreach activities about bird banding and reporting
Keychain developed for USGS outreach activities about bird banding and reporting in Yup'ik and English. Yup'ik translation provided by Jakob Sipary, Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP).
Keychain developed for USGS outreach activities about bird banding and reporting in Yup'ik and English. Yup'ik translation provided by Jakob Sipary, Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP).
Canada goose (Branta canadensis), Anchorage, AK
Canada goose (Branta canadensis), Anchorage, AK
Canada goose (Branta canadensis), Anchorage, AK
Northern Pintail Ducks
A flock of wintering northern pintail ducks takes flight in Northern Honshu, Japan.
A flock of wintering northern pintail ducks takes flight in Northern Honshu, Japan.
White-fronted geese defend their nest from an arctic fox
White-fronted geese defend their nest from an arctic fox on the Arctic Coastal Plain in northern Alaska. June 2014, USGS photo.
White-fronted geese defend their nest from an arctic fox on the Arctic Coastal Plain in northern Alaska. June 2014, USGS photo.
White-fronted geese at their nest site while a caribou stands in the foreground
White-fronted geese at their nest site while a caribou stands in the foreground on the Arctic Coastal Plain in northern Alaska. June 2014, USGS photo.
White-fronted geese at their nest site while a caribou stands in the foreground on the Arctic Coastal Plain in northern Alaska. June 2014, USGS photo.
Feeding Wildlife by the Shoreline
The Role of Environment and Wildlife in Human Health. Human - wildlife interactions threatened by emerging diseases including avian influenza.
The Role of Environment and Wildlife in Human Health. Human - wildlife interactions threatened by emerging diseases including avian influenza.
Flock of Northern Pintail Ducks
A flock of wintering northern pintail ducks takes flight in Northern Honshu, Japan. This photo was taken as part of a study to understand the migratory movements of this species and to assess if these birds could transmit highly pathogenic avian influenza from Asia to North America via Alaska.
A flock of wintering northern pintail ducks takes flight in Northern Honshu, Japan. This photo was taken as part of a study to understand the migratory movements of this species and to assess if these birds could transmit highly pathogenic avian influenza from Asia to North America via Alaska.