Would you like to submit a question to the community of Biologists?
What’s the best career decision you’ve made so far?
Ask a Biologist 8/16/21
My best decision so far was taking a break between undergrad and graduate school. I spent those couple of years working seasonal tech positions. This enabled me to increase my experience for my resume (variety of species worked with, amount of fieldwork done, variety of agencies and organizations worked for, travel all over the country before I was more “settled down" (before I had a dog, got married/moved to the same place as my SO, bought a house, etc.), hugely expanded my network within the field, gave me time to find a graduate school position and advisor that fit me and my needs/wants, get a mental break from school so I could regain my passion for academia, and was truly one of the best times of my life!
Answers from Biologists:
Going to grad school during the pandemic.
Taking my current position in Arizona despite not being sure about the area. I have gained a ton of new skills!
Removing a toxic professor from my grad committee.
Service year in AmeriCorps planning public events for a nature center. So many skills!
Learning lots of ecological statistics.
Taking time to volunteer and get relevant experience. Even if it’s just the occasional weekend.
Turned down a position that wasn’t relevant to my career goals and had several red flags-got a great job a month later.
Moving for my partner’s career. Put me in a position to nab a permanent position I love!
Taking a year off to work after undergrad and before grad school.
Getting certified to drive boats for the DOI.
Holding onto my research project despite the pandemic.
Willingness to move to get experience.
Breaking my comfort zone and going out of state for grad school.
Switching labs during my PhD. Your advisor can make or break your grad school experience.
Volunteering for a state wildlife management agency and having them on my thesis committee.
Applying to a USFWS internship on a whim. I got it and it’s setting me up for a post-PhD.
Moving across the country for a job. It made my career what it is today.
Leaving a relationship that was keeping me from accomplishing my career goals.
Moving across the country (Canada) and not limiting myself on location.
Leaving my toxic PhD program and trusting my capabilities as they were.
Graduating with as little debt as possible.
Going to school as an older student. It was tough but I appreciated it and took nothing for granted.
Going to community college and transferring to a university. Was able to graduate debt free!
Applying for a fellowship that I felt was out of my reach. Don’t let imposter syndrome get you!
Moving across the country to get out of my comfort zone.
To follow my heart and work on projects that meant something to me.
What are your tips for travelling, especially alone?
Ask a Biologist Monday-8/9/21
My advice is to pack meals for yourself. You’ll save a ton of money and time, and you’ll have more options and control over what you’re eating. A small cooler works great for this and you should be able to get fresh ice along the way as needed.
Answers from Biologists:
Don’t drive if you are tired.
Take breaks.
Take early flights. You’ll avoid traffic, sleep on the plane, and have time to settle in.
Never act lost.
Always have an escape route.
Relish new friendships! They last a a lifetime.
Have podcasts and a good music playlist for driving.
Lollipops are a necessity to help stay awake.
Download your maps and playlist before leaving so you are ready to be offline.
Sleeping in your car? Alarm it and text a friend your location. Sketch motel? Put a chair or something else in front of the door or just off to the side to trip someone up.
Tell someone where you’re going and when you’ll be back or reach your destination.
Have a check-in time and person. If you don’t check in, tell them who to call (such as your PI or safety officer).
Location sharing on Google with someone you trust. It might not work everywhere but it can be a lifesaver!
Plan fun stops along the way.
Use the adventure to check birds off on your list.
Meet up with other Biologists in towns you pass through.
Always pack a towel and extra socks.
Prepack food, plan stops, and get to campsites by dark to have some down time.
If you’re flying and have to check a bag, make sure to pack extra clothes in your carry-on.
Let people know where you are and when you’ll arrive.
Don’t post on social media where you are until you leave.
Use apps like Life365, especially if you’re alone.
Have a fully charged power bank with you.
A portable jump-start battery has saved me many times.
Find podcasts and music you love to help time go by.
What Biologist-themed merit badges would you give out?
Ask a Biologist 8/2/21
Mine would be “Best Inventive Save” for Mcgyvering together a solution in the field.
Answers from Biologists:
“Angry Old Angler”-for creel surveys. For navigating your first grumpy fisherman.
Getting to a site only to realize your forgot a vital piece of equipment.
“Animal Detangler”-For those who work with mist nets. Bats and birds can get pretty knotted up, and angry
“Field Clothing Style”-when you still look nicely put together in field gear.
“Untangling”-the opposite of knots. Special option for untangling animals!
“Work-life balance”-achievement merit badge.
“Baby Panda”-for when you learn to fall hard but land softly hiking off trail.
Getting a field vehicle stuck in mud/sand and then finding a way to get out.
“Duct Tape Champion”
“Ultimate Resiliency”-for pushing through all the flopped plans
“Mud Buddy”-for the person that can walk on top of the mud instead of waist deep.
Most times bitten
“Spiderweb Duster”-for unflinchingly walking through thousands of webs on the way to a field site.
“Taxonomist’s Folly”-for not getting flustered when all grasses and hibiscus species look alike.
Braving biting/stinging insects for the sake of data integrity.
"You stabbed yourself”-because it happens.
“Volunteers to go complete the worst job site” badge
“Thorny Plant Navigation”-the person who seems to go through any briar patch unscathed
Getting your truck/work vehicle stuck
“Befriend the old landowner”-and now you are the only person in the office they’ll talk to.
“Pathfinder”-for those who have an internal compass and never get lost.
Successfully backing up a trailer without crying.
“Burn Zone Speed”-based on your ability to speedily navigate through a burn
“Avalanche debris gymnast”-for crossing insane avalanche debris on the way to a site (summer).
“Botanist buddy”-you either have one or you are the expert
“Dry hip boat” award
“Pack Mule”-being willing to carry the heavy/bulky/awkward gear.
Not falling on the way to/from a field site.
“Reminding the PI to drink water” award
“Most sediment moved from study site”-for all them sandy boats/shoes out there moving dirt.
“Fall expert”-managing to find every hole/bush/heather in a site and coming out uninjured.
What are tips for maintaining relationships in the field? (romantic, family, friends, etc.)
Ask a Biologist 7/26/21
My answer is to try to know the next time you’ll see that person, if possible. It makes the time go by so much quicker and it’s a little easier to be apart.
Answers from Biologists:
Communicate to them that it’s not personal if I can’t talk to them as much as I want to.
Be the first to reach out. Send the text, write the letter. Stay relevant.
Be clear about what you’re doing and why you can’t talk as much as you like.
I try to carve out specific time to talk or see them and stick to it.
Include them in what you’re doing, if you can.
Communication! In general, keeping them informed but also sharing all the ups and downs.
Stay proactive in reaching out and keeping in contact, even if irregular.
Send letters.
Using a shared Google calendar to plan time together, regular texting during the day, and gifts.
Be honest and transparent about your work and always stay connected through scheduled check-ins.
Keep talking. Video chats are clutch.
For Biologists dating other Biologists: Make a plan for how you’ll handle moving for careers BEFORE you have to deal with it and make sure you’re with someone who is your equal partner. It’s hard!
Have a plan for when you’ll see them next.
Date a fellow biologist! They understand what you’re going through.
Make sure to call them when you can be fully present.
Carve out specific time to talk and ideally visit.
Get to know your partner/team. Be open to everything and understand diversity of needs.
Don’t start an ID war. It will only end in tears!
Establish expectations. Be honest that you won’t be back on a regular basis to visit.
Bring them to work or do a simulation to help them understand what you do.
Write journals for one another while you’re apart.
Make regular times to call and participate in activities together (watching tv, reading to one another, etc.)
Share photos of what you’re up to to give them a peak into your work life.
Don’t forget to ask them questions about their life and not just tell them about yours.
Video chats and phone calls make such a difference.
When you’re together, be intentional and prioritize quality time together.
Take full advantage of your time off.
Write letters and postcards.
What is a myth/misunderstanding about your job?
Ask a Biologist 7/19/21
The biggest myth that I get frustrated by is that since we love our jobs, we can never have a bad day or times that we don’t like working. The idea that "if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life” is a total myth. It’s still a job and can be really hard at times!
Answers from Biologists:
That I handle or even get to see the animals I study.
That I play with animals and plants all day. There’s so much data entry and spreadsheet tracking.
That I encounter venomous snakes all the time. It does happen but not very often.
Because I do computational analysis and data science work with computers, that I am IT.
That working outside must always be fun. Remember that we are working in all weather conditions!
That because you choose a career to follow your dreams, you don’t deserve to be paid well.
From the public: the intricacies of my job. Personally: the amount I work in the office.
That plants are really boring and that we’re all a “bunch of hippies”.
How I got my job. I went to college and applied to jobs like every other career.
That I know everything about all animals.
That every state agency employee is law enforcement.
You need to like lab work/field work/office work. Many biologists only do one of these.
People think you specialize in every species and can answer any wildlife question.
That animals are dangerous. People are way more dangerous!
“Oh you’re a wildlife biologist? So you’re a park ranger?”
That every day I’m touching/holding animals.
“You just get to play with fish all day". If only! Lots of writing and computer modeling.
That animal rehab is a 9am-5pm job. A lot of baby animals need to be fed every hour of the day and night.
That handling wildlife is most of our job. I wish!
That being a fisheries scientist isn’t a “real job” because I “get to catch fish all day”.
That it’s always fun and working with animals. It’s usually computer work or boring fieldwork and harsh weather.
When I’m in a remote area I should be scared of mountain lions and bears. I’m way more worried about people.
That our jobs are always outside. I am also in so many meetings that can be very high stakes.
That being a biologist means working with animals. It actually often means working with habitat.
Everything that we sacrifice to be in this field. Relationships, stability, money, etc.
(Museum curator) That I want animals to die/actively kill them.
That we make good money and we know everything about everything related to our field.
That I get to see/handle the animals I study all the time.
That we aren’t hunters/fishers. So many of us are! Hunting/fishing funds scientific research and conservation.
That we’re all hunters or anglers. Some of us just want to work with animals.
That you don’t need people skills to be a wildlife biologist or natural resource specialist.
That we only wear outdoor apparel. Apparently we aren’t allowed to look nice or have style.
That it’s only animals. You actually have to learn about ecology, chemistry, and computer science.
As a coastal ecologist, people think I just hang out on the beach. It’s actually not that chill.
That all biologists are created equal. While it has improved, research/educational enterprises are still bad.
That living on a field station is a “vacation”. It’s a lot of hard work and little free time.
That I must love fieldwork. It’s honestly my least favorite part of my job unless it’s a fish survey.
That wildlife/conservation education is all showing animals off. It’s mostly curriculum design.
90% of jobs are actually dealing with the public. We don’t just get to hang out in the woods.
That we get to handle animals frequently. It’s such a small part of the job, if it’s done at all.
That it’s all fun, working with animals. Mostly it’s computer work or boring field work in bad weather.
Most people in the public think you’re a conservation officer.
How many years did you work in the field of Biology before getting a full time job?
I worked as a technician for 3 summers during undergrad and worked in a lab during the year in undergrad. Then I worked as a seasonal technician for 2 years between undergrad and grad school, and 1 year after grad school.
2 field seasons so far. Not permanent yet.
2 years then got an environmental planner spot with the county of Riverside.
If you count BS degree, 6.5 years before MS and PhD before I was lucky enough to land tenure.
5 years of term work after my BS, in addition to my work in school for 2.5 years, and 3 years volunteering.
3 years as an intern/Americorps before USGS (even then I’m a permanent-seasonal tech)
This is my 6th seasonal position and I’ve had my MS since ‘18. Starting vet school in August.
Got a permanent wildlife biologist job with USFWS straight out of undergrad. Zero paid field experience but a couple years of volunteering/interning on the side with a STEP program.
1 year-staff biologist at a Biological consulting firm.
3 seasons with different agencies before I got a permanent role in my current agency.
Just awarded a 1 year contract after 2 years of seasonal tech jobs.
1 year but I have worked for environmental consulting firms.
9 years but I am still only part time.
I have had 2 field positions and still no sign of permanent.
Still doing seasonal gigs. I have had my BS for 8 years and MSc for 2 years.
4 seasons then wildlife biologist job.
2 years as a biotech while getting my MS. Biological planner with USFWS.
No permanent yet but it took 4 years of applications to get a graduate environmental scientist position.
5 years plus grad school. Got a permanent job in water resources engineering/fisheries.
Interned 4 years in college, taught 2 units before becoming an ecologist at an environmental consulting firm. I teach now but think about going back to ecology.
1.5 years in total-Range and Wildlife Conservation with Pheasant’s Forever.
1 year before grad school and 6 months after-Federal.
6 months-Environmental Specialist (Riparian Ecologist).
10 years of school, 3 seasonal positions-AIS Specialist-Arizona Game and Fish.
7 years-Wildlife biologist/ornithologist for an environmental consulting company.
2 years-vegetational ecologist at an institute for ecology.
1 summer in undergrad, 9 months after BS, and several years vet tech jobs-State biologist in water quality.
4 years-1 as a horticulturalist, 1 as a paleontologist, 2 as a biological tech.
A little over 3 years-Gila River Specialist.
7 years and first permanent job was a zookeeper.
1 year-I worked part time for the agency for 2 years in undergrad though.
4 years field tech jobs, 3 years MS-Environmental consulting
11 including undergrad and grad school-Heritage Data Management System Data Specialist.
Been working towards it since 2008.
7 years in November and I still don’t have a permanent job.
2.5 years-Recreational Coordinator.
6 years-Project Support Officer.
7 Years-Fish and Wildlife biologist with USFWS.
Almost 6 years.
Got a full time job right after my MS.
After undergrad I taught for 1 year. I worked for 4 summers during undergrad and grad school.
6 years and still waiting.
4 years research assistant, 2 years field tech, 6 months bio contract.
8 years-Senior Wildlife technician.
What’s your craziest/funniest field story?
Ask A Biologist 7/5/21
Follow up: We both let it go and stepped back from the bear. It took a few steps and rolled onto its back so we were able to increase the dose of the anesthetic and gather our scientific data/collar it.
Answers from Biologists:
Got stuck in quicksand on a say when everything went wrong. My field partner pulled me out.
Got charged by a sow grizzly with 2 cubs. Had to bear spray them from 4 feet away.
Got horribly lost at a site I had spent 2 years surveying for dragonflies. Twice in 1 week.
Chased/harassed by a spotted owl in the dark while doing a marbled murrelet survey. It made me cry!
Finding a soft boiled and hatched egg at a nest site with a known weeks dead turkey.
Passed out from stress while pit tagging a bat.
Worked a 48 hour Search and Rescue shift that ended in a helicopter rescue.
Spent an hour sitting on TOP of the cab of my truck faced off with a mama moose and her calves.
Locked both car key sets in the car with ALL the field gear.
Seeing a guy in full hazmat gear walking a grown cow on a leash in the front yard of a house.
Chased out of a river where I was resting and soaking by a herd of bison.
Took a step into a wetland that looks fairly dry. Sank in up to my waist and had to be pulled out.
Coworker ran over a bear spray can and sprayed everyone in the parking lot, our crew included.
Found myself face to face with a peccary. We both got surprised and ran like hell!
I blew up a field truck. Hollywood style. Kablooey!
I wild pig bit my foot while I was trying to capture it. My toes were fine, I was wearing thick boots.
Charged by a black rhino while doing a latrine survey for brown hyenas.
Saw a shuttle break through the atmosphere at 4am and didn’t know it was human activity.
A barred owl flew into my mist net over my head as I extracted a titmouse.
Had a tree fall on me.
Trying to get a snare off a young bull moose, he stood up with me on top of him.
Working on private land, cows surrounded our vehicle and trapped us for over an hour.
Surrounded by dingoes at 4am in the dark.
Working on a military base, I set off a booby trap with a smoke bomb on my study site.
I had a duck nibble on my nipple when I was banding it. Luckily I still have my nipple and the duck got a leg band.
A bear stole my field pack with my GPS and spot device. Found it down the street in one piece.
Went for a dip in a gator hole for the hundredth time. This time momma was home.
Fyke nets with a 50lb snapping turtle.
Waving at my crush/coworker then tripping in a hole and face planting right in front of them.
Took a nap during my break and woke up with a rattlesnake inside my shirt.
Sat on a manzanita branch when I was going pee in a field and it punctured my butt.
Came across a man performing a cleansing ritual…in the nude.
Fell in one of the trout raceways at a hatchery.
Went to inventory a spring within a cave and the moment I turned my headlamp on I was swarmed by wasps.
Didn’t realize how steep the pond dropped off until I was suddenly fully submerged.
Melted the side mirror off our fire rig getting too close to the flames on a rowdy fire.
Broke my finger hiking over scree.
Giant rat fell on me so I fell in the river and lost the key to our canoe. At 3am. In the middle of nowhere.
Had a naked guy jog right past me while I was doing bird surveys. He didn’t even care.
Chainsawing into a nest box 20 feet up a tree and having wasps swarm out.
Driving through an intense storm that caused many trees to fall in front of our truck.
Was extracting a sharp shinned hawk from a mist net and one of its talons went into my finger.
Got surrounded by a herd of bison and had to hide until my coworker could pick me up.
Was cleaning a large fish tank and fell in.
Selfie with a bat that decided right at that moment to fly at us.
Tent mate and I had quiet food poisoning events all not trying not to disturb the lions eating 10 feet away.
Got into a fight with a mute swan I wanted to band. He won.
Fell waist deep into snow while bird watching.
Found a dead rattler, was holding it only to find out it wasn’t dead, just stunned.
What is a hobby of yours, unrelated to work?
Ask A Biologist 6/28/21
Mine is silversmithing, but I also love to mushroom hunt, run, train my dogs, take photos, hunt, and bake.
Answers from Biologists:
Brewing kombucha
Dancing
Knitting
Weight lifting
Currently, momming a toddler and doing IVF
Roller skating
Wood burning
Cooking
Gardening and kayaking
Climbing and quilting
Knitting, sewing, and indoor rock climbing
Painting
Quilting and gardening
Painting
Fishing and gardening
Bullet journaling
Canning
Comic book collecting, falconry, gardening
Painting
Hula hooping
Knitting, painting, gardening, and walking/training my dog
Gardening, geocaching, photography
Keeping orchids and carnivorous plants
Drawing
Most of my time is spent as a mom. But I’ve been trying embroidery lately.
Reading fiction
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Mushing and writing
Vocalist
Houseplants
Blockprinting
Paper piece quilting
Snowmobiles and jet skis
Hunter, jumper horseback riding, Brazilian jiu jitsu
Basketry, foraging, greenwood spoon carving, gardening
Cosplay/costumes
Baking
Fishing
Animating
Swimming, dancing, crochet, and knitting
Embroidery
Collage work
Soccer
Watercolors
Weight lifting, running, baking bread, eating bread
Archery
Horseback riding
Equestrian
Fishing
Climbing, hiking, mountain biking
Cosplay
Wedding photography
Woodburning, hiking, reading
Photography and weight lifting
Drawing, ukulele, singing, and climbing
Fishing, hunting and herping
Ceramics
House plants
Rollerblading
Embroidery, hunting, fishing, quilting
Baking, specifically gluten-free breads
Guitar, surfing, soccer and hockey
Painting
Falconry
I volunteer as a fencing coach as well as a ranked national referee
Beading and sewing
Bari sax and sit on the board of directors for the Gay Freedom Band of Los Angeles
Video games
Painting
Fishing, gardening, skiing
Roller derby, crocheting, and being a mermaid
Crocheting
Paddle boarding, bodysurfing, and ceramics
Wood burning
Sewing and crafting
Swing dancing
Leatherwork
What’s an unusual skill you have that is useful at work?
Ask A Biologist Monday 6-21-21
Alright, so I’m good at skinning animals. It’s really useful for necropsies (figuring out how an animal died) and prepping animals for scientific collections.
Answers from Biologists:
Photoshop and indesign
I’m an enthusiastic talker.
Climbing things, tying knots, and fitting into small spaces.
Sewing.
I do aerial and pole dance and it’s useful for climbing things.
Ranch skills. Building fence, using irrigation systems, running large equipment.
Organization.
I make decisions quickly and can salvage crappy field work days.
Boiling coyote bones to loosen up fat and hair to get at smaller bones for articulation.
Communicating complex concepts to non-scientific brained people.
Driving off-road in giant pick-up trucks.
Getting a vehicle unstuck from the mud.
A good memory.
Bushwacking
Writing small and neatly.
Critical thinking/problem solving/rigging things on the fly.
Befriending older landowners.
Climbing fences.
Spotting fish in water.
Navigation.
Fixing tools in the field.
Catching birds with a throw net.
Starting fires.
Following game trails.
Languages, an excellent shot, and cooking.
Drawing animals.
Driving in reverse.
Managing pests in a museum.
Building docks and setting up pilings.
I can fix almost anything.
Graphic memory.
Drawing blood from birds.
A really good nose.
Crawling through barbed wire fences.
Drawing/illustration.
Engaging the public.
Net repair.
Handling birds.
Spotting wildlife.
Extracting otoliths (ear bones) from fish.
Fixing engines.
What is your favorite piece of field gear that you recommend?
Ask A Biologist Monday 6/14/21
Mine is the Leatherman “sidekick”. It’s got a ton of tool options, including a saw that has come in handy so many times.
Answers from Biologists:
Leather gloves. I seem to need them for everything.
Hydroflask. Hot stays hot and cold stays cold.
Camelbak backpacks.
Tourniquet. I haven’t had to use it (thankfully) but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.
Neck gator and hat.
Mountainsmith Lumbar Pack! Perfect for accessing what I need without a backpack.
Good boots and a bandana.
Leatherman and Osprey backpack.
Construction gloves. They get gross but they save my hands from bugs and stuff.
Darn tough socks. Best hiking socks ever and guaranteed for life.
I work on the coast so a must for me is a good pair of muck boots and a bug net/sunhat.
A wide-brimmed hat.
My phone. I use GPS apps that allow you to georeference everything (points, photos, notes). Makes it super easy to export at the office and it can be used “offline”.
Duct tape. Repairs, waterproofs, keeps bugs out of my pants.
A good pair of snake boots and sunscreen.
Ariat Dublin River boots. They’ve been from salt marsh to blizzard and are so comfy.
A portable charging bank so I can keep my phone fully charged in the field.
Colombia fishing SPF longsleeve shirts.
A small fan that I hang around my neck.
A good buff! Keeps the sun off your neck and sunblock out of your eyes. Doubles as a mask.
Xtratuf boots.
Rite in the Rain notebooks. In yellow so you don’t misplace them.
Muck boots. I always keep a pair in the truck. Dry feet are everything!
A change of clothes.
Field guide apps.
“Good fitting” boots make or break a field day. The kind depends on your feet.
Fanny pack, Tecnu, Steadtler markers.
Ziploc bags. I always have a few in my pack.
Avenza and OnX map apps.
Field overalls. To set and check pitfalls without having to worry about my pants creeping down.
OnX phone app. Land ownership, topo, and aerial maps all in your back pocket.
Off Deep Woods and a folding buck knife.
Flannel long sleeve shirts and a cowboy hat to keep off the sun.
Tecnu!
A high quality pair of rubber boots.
Baseball cap. Helps prevents ticks and stops your hair from getting snagged.
Yeti 65oz bottle. Keeps drink ice cold all day. And a wet bandana around the neck.
Sunscreen.
Bushnell waterproof binos. I bring them everywhere. The worst feeling is missing a cool animal sighting.
A good field vest. Look like a nerd but I like them way more than backpacks. All the pockets.
Zip ties. You can fix almost anything with them.
Sling backpack. Don’t have to take it off to access what’s inside.
For the winter: hot hands to stay warm.
Fanny packs instead of backpacks all day, every day!
A compass. Can’t die like a phone or GPS unit.
A good headlamp. Also, Avenza maps, if available.
Mios electrolyte drops or Gatorade packets for your water bottle.
Overalls! So many functional pockets and no crack when I bend over.
Fly fishing gloves. Keeps the hands warm and can unfold them to write neatly.
My Outdoor Research head net.
My clipboard. The clip piece is a built in calculator and there’s storage space inside.
Tips on caring for mental/physical health during field season.
Ask A Biologist 6/7/21
During the field season you will spend a TON of time with your colleagues, especially if you also live with them. It’s healthy to take time away from one another to do your own thing so you don’t end up driving each other crazy. Even if you adore your colleagues, you can easily get on each other’s nerves if you spend every hour of the day, every day together.
Answers from Biologists:
Find the balance between personal time and work time. Make time for personal and professional goals.
Immerse yourself in a hobby.
All of the naps! If you live where you work, prevent yourself from being consumed by work 24/7.
Take mental health moments when possible to get rest and get ready for the next blitz.
Talk about how you feel. Saying it out loud can be relieving (whether to an animal or another human).
Chill time for sure! Coloring, yoga, watching a good movie.
Bring a book, get enough sleep, drink more water than you think you need, wear sunscreen.
Hand off stressful tasks (eg. navigation) to others occasionally.
Sleep!
Get to bed early. Especially when camping. Drink 12-16oz of water an hour before.
Sleep, water, sunscreen, hobbies, and fun, sugary treats hidden in my waders.
Invest in electrolytes! Powders, packets, tablets, or drinks. Better to use them before they are necessary.
Snacks snacks snacks. Water water water. Snacks snacks snacks.
Get a therapist. Spend 15 setting your goals each day. Be generous with breaks.
Always have music and headphones.
Make time to enjoy what/where you’re studying outside of work hours.
Have some alone time and get a massage. I have bad shoulders and a massage helps reset them.
Do not feel guilty about asking for breaks or (if you’re introverted) time alone to recharge.
7 years to learn this, but take breaks! Sit down, rest your body, drink water.
Make sure you eat, hydrate, and rest properly. Also, whenever possible, keep in touch with loved ones.
Don’t feel guilty about taking your annual leave.
Lots of water and resist the urge to stay up late.
Bring the comfort items. String lights for the hotel. Candles. One time I brought an entire keyboard.
Bring a camera, headphones, and a book for alone time and exercise/yoga.
Take walks in nature! Studies show it helps mental and physical health.
Yoga after work. It takes care of it all.
If it’s a toxic environment, leave. I left a job that treated techs like garbage and I’m glad I did.
Do stuff with your team outside of fieldwork.
Take “safety naps” if you need them. Better to rest your eyes for 15-30 minutes than have an accident.
Wear sunscreen and reapply at breaks. One bad burn can mean a week of misery.
Carve out time for yourself. Especially if you are living at a field station.
Complete your skin car routine no matter how tired you are.
I try to keep in touch with family and friends. They remind me I’m not alone when in the field!
Functional training-getting into the gym in off-season to stay in shape.
Taking breaks when you are tired. Be kind to yourself. Sit down, drink water, and have a snack.
When you get those rare days when your scheduled to work but there isn’t much to do, don’t feel guilty! Goof off, take a long lunch break, go swimming, pick berries!
Sit in the shade, look at the sky, be alone in the woods.
Plan your field tasks around a 20 minute lunch break. Stop. And eat. And drink water. Breathe!
Physical: stretch/yoga in the morning. Mental: go to bed early.
Work to live, don’t live to work!
Take time to appreciate the small things.
If you get a chance to eat good food, take it. People cannot live by trail mix and gatorade alone.
Make sure you have bomb snacks that keep up your energy and happiness levels.
STRETCHING
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Ask a Biologist 5/31/21
I work in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, which is 5 hours away from my current home in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan where my partner (husband) lives. I make this work by doing 4 10 hour days each week and traveling on Thursday and Sunday evenings between the two places.
Answers from Biologists
Feeling like you can’t “settle down” because you always have to be willing to move for a job. Even with a current full time job.
Pressure of needing to volunteer, do internships, and research to be competitive (in addition to classes).
I travel frequently (both driving and flying) all over the country.
Working away from home for days or weeks at a time, and a tough field = stuck at my job.
Being away from home for a couple of weeks at a time, with very little break in between.
Dealing with people from the general public who think they know more than biologists.
Trying to alter the public’s perception of forestry. Can’t improve wildlife habitat without it!
The Florida heat
That I’m long distance with my partner.
The cultural expectation of overworking. We all do the work of 2-3 people.
Stats and R
I live in a different state than my family and I hope they understand that my birds rule my time.
Family not understanding what you do/why and making you feel guilty for traveling/doing temp work.
Politics. Lots of politics.
Feeling like I have no idea what I’m doing or why.
Always searching for funding so I can do the actual science.
Misconceptions from the public/other biologists about where we get our museum specimens and our purpose.
Coordinating with landowners.
Processing the data after the fieldwork is done.
The stats. I have never been much of a coder but I am learning quick!
Working solo in remote South Dakota, hours away from the office and help. Houses can be 5 miles apart.
Imposter syndrome. It makes me intensely doubt my ability every step of the way.
Keeping up with changing taxonomies, legal status, and information for 2000 species, while also trying to learn R and SQL.
The ‘do more with less’ attitude.
Working to Thrive rather than just survive as a POC in this space and setting the example for my students.
The public’s misunderstanding and mistrust of what we do.
Long hours and seven days a week in the summer with few breaks.
Aggressive foremen on monitoring projects and the aggressive public during a survey.
Making sure I’ll be competitive enough.
Few days off with a physically and mentally taxing job-burnout is common.
Unemployment.
Staying injury free! I’m constantly rolling ankles and as I’ve gotten older recovery time is longer.
Job insecurity. There are only so many permanent positions out there.
The lack of women in the field.
Funding. My job relies completely on grants.
I work in the mountains surrounded by the Chihuahua Desert, so the most challenging part is the heat.
Making minimum wage on field jobs.
I work 40 hrs/wk and 50 wks/yr, but get “rehired” every 6 months. That means no PTO or maternity leave.
Finding a permanent job and tech jobs that line up well, plus money to get from place to place.
Dealing with people who can’t see the benefits of any animals in human care.
Being away from family and friends and the lonliness.
Working at night.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Ask A Biologist 5/24/21
I love getting to do education and outreach to share the info I know with others!
Answers from Biologists
All the cool rope work/climbing I get to do.
Climbing trees to get baby woodpeckers out.
Teaching kids about animal adaptation, behaviors, and showing them enrichment.
Getting to witness wildlife and work with it. Also knowing what I’m doing is helping the future.
Working with passionate volunteers.
Field work, but seeing people’s eyes light up when they learn something new is a close second.
Being able to see the whole state and its’ most remote rivers and looked over creeks.
Being outside/the wildlife.
Coyote fieldwork and hearing people’s coyote stories.
Being paid to watch the sun rise and cuddle wildlife.
SCUBA fieldwork! Working underwater never gets old.
I love the challenge of building relationships with farmers based on trust.
Being able to collect data revolving around an endangered species and help with conservation efforts.
Observing animals in their environments interacting much the same way people do. I find it fascinating!
Exposing others to wildlife and watching them change from being scared to amused.
Spending time outside and exploring places I wouldn’t go in my free time.
Being able to protect America’s wild places and endangered species.
Collecting and sharing information that directly affects policy for listed species.
Mine is field work! I am staffed but love getting out in the field when I can.
Being “forced” to go places I wouldn’t necessarily go on my own.
Getting to create work that helps threatened species.
Snorkeling! Love the rush of swimming face first downstream.
Getting to examine and handle animals close up, in ways I otherwise wouldn’t be able to.
Fieldwork. You can learn so much about an area just by going outside and observing.
Learning from landowners I work with to do private land conservation.
Getting to explore new places.
Constantly learning new things and meeting some cool wildlife of course!
Being alone in nature.
Scuba fieldwork! I love being underwater. Makes the stats part of my job worth it.
I love interacting with the public. And training animals for husbandry/medical behaviors.
My coworkers! Human and animal.
I love data analysis and visualization! I find it so rewarding after lab and fieldwork.
Managing populations to provide sustainable harvest opportunities into perpetuity.
Working with volunteers and seeing them learn things.
Seeing ecosystems return to native species after invasive species clean up.
My amazing coworkers!
Finding new different species every day.
Knowing my easement evaluations result in permanent federal grass easements.
Getting people excited about amphibians and reptiles. They’re underrated!
Engaging people in different steps of the scientific process. Warms my heart.
Knowing that I’m witness to magical things in the field daily that others may never witness.
Checking snake traps. It’s like opening a present!
Spending time outside and amazing vistas.
Knowing that my research will be used for applied management decisions/projects.
Getting to travel and experience wildlife almost no one gets to see.
Getting to restore functioning, biodiverse communities.
Learning something new almost every day.
Working outside and always having something new to do.
What is your favorite field meal/snack?
Ask A Biologist 5/17/21
I usually go with a sandwich, yogurt, piece of fruit and a granola bar. I’m a creature of habit.
Answers from Biologists:
Cliff bars, cheese, or crackers
Hummus wraps
Troli sour gummi worms or the gummy eggs. When it’s super cold it’s nice to have hot tea.
My giant bag of homemade trail mix is a staple.
Peanut butter and jelly roll ups
Tortilla with peanut butter and banana
RX bar, jerky, mixed nuts. pieces of fruit, and lots of water.
Peanut M&Ms
PB and honey, apples and so much water and electrolyte drinks.
Fig bars, apple slices.
Can’t beat beefed up homemade trail mix with peanut M&Ms.
Peanut butter and jelly sandwich
PB&J’s and blueberries.
Hard boiled eggs
Smoked salmon, mini bell peppers, crackers, low sugar gatorade with water.
Baby carrots and sunflower seeds, to keep you awake during night surveys.
Fruit snacks and clemintines
Goldfish snacks!
Apples and granola bars
Fruit snacks, jerky, apple, PB&J
Just made a new batch of venison and salmon jerky
Salads!
Gonna go full feral and say steak or pork chop leftovers, eaten with just your hands.
Anything wrapped in a tortilla
Gatorade. So much gatorade.
Trail mix, dried fruit, apples, oranges.
PB&J, string cheese, chocolate covered almonds, and so much limon pepino gatorade.
Tilamook country smoker jerky
Anything with protein (bars, shakes, etc.), Pickles can literally save you from heat related issues!
I try to stick to healthy things, and then I move on to Hawaiin butter rolls with laughing cow cheese.
Apples and almonds will keep me going all day.
A whole sweet potato that I microwave in the morning. Very portable!
Turkey sandwich with chips (in the sandwich) and fresh fruit.
Chocolate covered almonds
Lot of granola bars, PB&J and blueberries
Peanut butter and honey sandwich
Anything with peanut butter. I need my protein!
Pizza lunchables (or the homemade version with sauce and cheese in a pita)
Clif and Lara bars, PB&J, grapes, and bananas.
Clif bars
Goldfish!
Leftovers and pistachios.
Almonds or a PB&J sandwich
Precooked vegeable dumplings
Kind bars and cold edamame
Frozen yogurt and juice boxes. When you open them on a hot day they are refreshing.
Cheese and vegemite sandwiches and about 10 apples.
Grapes and bananas
Chocolate chip trail mix and dried apples
Cream cheese and chive crackers
Coconut butter crackers
Homemade burritos, carrots and celery are easy to toss together and backpack friendly.
Veggie wrap
Jasmine green tea and rusks.
Blueberries
Costco trail mix
Spicy tuna packet, almonds, and coconut water
Beef jerky, bell pepper, and string cheese
Stinger honey waffles
Tortilla chips w/shredded cheese on top. Leave sit on your dash, truck nachos!
Sriracha tofu jerky
Pizza blasted goldfish with cherry tomatoes
Banana toasted sandwiches. Fast, easy, and packed with protein!
Peanut butter and dates.
Tuna and crackers
Fruit snacks
String cheese and venison jerky
Babybel cheese
Nature Valley packed PB and cranberry bars
What is the best advice and advisor/biologist has given you?
Ask A Biologist Monday 5/10/21
My grad school advisor always encouraged us to have a good work/life balance and I truly appreciate that lesson.
Answers from Biologists
Use all of your senses when appropriate.
Null results are results, and are important!
Measure your productivity weekly instead of daily.
Always know where your truck is and how to get back to it without a GPS or map.
When it comes to grad school, it’s not about where you go but what team you work with.
When traveling abroad, immerse yourself in people’s culture as much as the wildlife.
You don’t know everything. Stop and actively listen when working with the public and land owners.
Never stop asking questions.
Talk to people/do research outside of your field.
Leave undergrad and do something in the real world before coming back for grad school.
It is okay and expected for students to make mistakes.
For research: stay question focused.
Thesis=learning experience. You’re not expected to perform as if you’ve done this a hundred times.
Have a healthy level of paranoia.
Never listen to anyone who tells you that you think too much. Analyzing is good.
Travel. Get real life experience. No one can take that away from you.
Volunteer at your dream job to test the waters and make a good impression.
It’s okay to say “no”.
When you are writing, say exactly what you mean in as few words as possible.
Just because your results aren’t significant, doesn’t mean they aren’t still important.
Wildlife management is mostly people management.
Always ask the question. It’s okay not to know and it’s okay to forget. It’s always better to ask again.
What is a common biological myth that you’d like to debunk?
Ask A Biologist Monday 5/3/21
Mine is that you can’t even touch most mushrooms because it will hurt you. It’s fine to touch almost all mushrooms. Just be sure to wash your hands before the next time you touch your mouth or eat food.
Answers from the Biologists:
Skunks are not is the weasel (mustelid) family. They are actually their own family: Mephitidae!
Animals will not actually abandon their young if they “smell like humans”. Put the baby back!!
Snakes don’t chase people
Evolution has no goal or direction. We’re all just traits, shifting over time.
People claim bats eat a lot of mosquitos, but actually they usually prey on bigger invertebrates than that.
You can’t reliably tell the sex of a sport fish (like bass) by size.
That rhyme about coral snakes. It’s easily confused and coral snakes have aberrant color patterns. It’s way easier just to learn what a coral snake looks like without trying to memorize an inaccurate rhyme.
Lemmings don’t actually commit mass suicide.
Animal parents aren’t with their offspring 24/7. An alone chick/fawn/etc. is most likely okay!
Pronghorn aren’t antelope. They’re actually in an entirely different family.
Brown recluses do not live throughout the US. They’re actually limited to the SE US.
Earwigs crawl into your ears to lay eggs.
All bats do not have rabies. In reality only a small percentage do.
Virginia opossums are not gross or diseased creatures-they deserve better!
Baby birds don’t need your help.
You can’t tell if a snake is venomous by pupil shape or head shape alone.
The sound played over bald eagles in movies and shows is usually a red tailed hawk.
Black bears are not always black. They can be blonde, brown, cinnamon, black, or white.
Snakes (or really any animal) are not morally bad. They just want to survive.
Vampire bats don’t drink blood. they bat an animal then lap the blood with their tongue.
Turkey vultures are not dirty. They actually have cool behaviors and adaptations to prevent disease and inhibit bacteria.
Bears are not attracted to people menstruating.
Catfish whiskers will not sting you. They have sharp bones in their fins.
The whole tail of a sting ray will not sting you and not all species of rays have barbs.
Toads won’t give you warts.
Not all algae is bad.
Few parasites kill their hosts because it would kill the parasite too!
Bats are not blind.
If you touch a baby bird, the mother will not abandon them.
Wildlife do not need to be fed. It just spreads disease and accustoms them to people in a bad way.
Not all mammals give live birth. Echidnas and platypus lay eggs.
It's not a sad thing when a predator eats prey. That's the circle of life.
Gar aren't trash fish that “eat all the bass”. Please stop breaking their jaws.
Redhorse also aren't trash fish. They have an ecological purpose.
Owls can't fully rotate their heads. They can turn them about 270 degrees.
Bring a fork.
Check out the local geocaches.
Plan your stops ahead of time.
What did you want to be growing up?
Ask A Biologist Monday 4/26/21
When I was really young I wanted to “own an aquarium”. Then I wanted to do what the people on the Nature documentaries did.
Answers from the Biologists:
To be Jane Goodall and I was on track, but now I think I’d have more impact on conservation closer to home.
First dream was NASA then corvid biologist (honestly still my dream job), then forest ecologist.
A wildlife vet. I went the bio route instead and pretty happy with my decision.
Park ranger with less human interaction.
Biologist
A veterinarian, then I wanted to work in a zoo. But always animals!
Highway patrol. I found my way to wildlife about 10 years after that didn’t play out.
Veterinarian
Veterinarian, actress, or model.
Be Eliza Thornberry-talk to animals, travel the world, and have cool adventures.
Work in nature. Just that, without anything more or less.
Veterinarian, but I never had the marks. After 3 attempts, here I am as a zoologist/ecologist.
Rodeo barrel racer, psychologist, US Marine, pop singer, filmmaker, veterinarian, and more.
Dig up dinosaur bones!
Work at a manatee rescue center.
First a paleontologist then a big cat zookeeper, now a mammalogist.
Dolphin trainer when I was young, then civil engineer because my sister was one, finally back to wildlife biologist.
Animal explorer, paleontologist, obstetrician, then wildlife biologist.
Paleontologist
I didn’t know. I grew up without any biologist role models, in a navy base. I just knew I loved animals.
Jockey. I was heartbroken when I grew 6 inches in high school! Then a vet, but once I found wildlife, I never looked back.
A paleontologist, but I’m very glad I decided to work with living species instead.
A dolphin trainer. Then a zoo keeper.
A paleontologist and find dinosaur bones.
Veterinarian then cake decorator.
Work for Nat Geo.
A pediatric surgeon because I was born with Craniosyntosis and had major facial/cranial surgery.
A marine biologist. I was particularly enamored with dolphins.
Marine biologist when I was really young. Then vet, then medical doctor due to family pressure. But in the end I really did become a marine biologist!
A cat
Jeff Corwin or Steve Irwin. Ended up pretty close!
Herpetologist
Marine biologist, then aquatic vet, then back to marine biologist.
Paleontologist. I loved the Jurassic Park movies growing up!
Horse trainer, massage therapist, cruise ship waitress. I didn’t know any scientists and especially anything with animals. I knew I didn’t want to be in an office.
Paleontologist, then veterinarian. I knew I wanted to work with animals!
I wanted to be a jockey. I literally outgrew that!
Veterinarian or Nat Geo Photographer
Something outdoors. With animals was a plus!
Childhood-orca sanctuary. Adulthood-disease ecologist. Day job-Biochemist
Neurosurgeon
A corporate controller (basically an accountant) like my dad.
A doctor or a lawyer
Dentist, but I realized how painful medical school would be and luckily fell in love with seabird conservation.
Veterinarian, interior designer, marine biologist, and now fisheries biologist.
A national park ranger.
Veterinarian
Crocodile Hunter 2.0
Play with tigers/be a tiger trainer (at 6 years old)
Veterinarian or an animal trainer
The person who cleans animals with Dawn soap after an oil spill like I saw in the commercials.
I volunteered with a Biologist when I was 15 and knew that’s what I wanted to do!
Paleontologist. Thanks Jurassic Park!
Marine biologist because of Nat Geo books, but now I study Botany and Chemistry.
Veterinarian.
A marine biologist then a zoologist, now a field biologist.
Veterinarian, now I’m looking to become a conservation officer instead.
“the female Indiana Jones”
Lepidopterist (a person who studies or collects butterflies and moths)
Veterinarian of some sort. All I knew was I wanted to work with animals.
Meteorologist. I wanted to do the weather on TV.
What’s a challenge of fieldwork for you?
Ask A Biologist Monday 4/19/21
For me, it’s bug bites. I am a bit allergic to them so I use a ton of bug spray.
Answers from Biologists:
I have a challenge with climbing trees (mountain lion work)! The climbing part is fine, the landing is the problem.
Finding durable field clothes. Everything I have gets destroyed.
Carrying so many things because we have to hike to our nesting areas!
Finding the motivation to go sometimes. It takes up so much of my weekends!
Poison ivy. I wash the field clothes every day and usually need steroids and workers comp.
Briars are my enemy. Multiflora rose, in particular. It's the worst and I'm allergic to it.
Finding field pants for women. They either don't fit or get destroyed right away.
Having terrible eyesight and being asked to ID a bird or spot a specific leaf in the canopy.
Finding a safe spot to squat without mooning everyone.
Poison ivy. I react terribly to it and it's all over the riparian area.
Deadlines! We have to do field inventories and then contract programs in such a short amount of time.
Trying to stay warm. During scuba diving, everyone is fine and I'm the first to freeze.
I'm allergic to EVERYTHING. Plus bad knees.
Childcare
I'm allergic to grass. It irritates my skin…and I'm a rangeland ecologist, so lots of looking at grass.
Managing chronic injuries. I have tendinitis in both Achilles tendons.
Chiggers! I'm so allergic to their bites and they take forever to go away.
Periods and long hours in the field. I use a menstrual cup and reusable pads.
Battling chronic knee issues while needing to climb really big hills.
Finding field pants with some f#@$&Ng pockets.
Parasitic critters. Ticks, chiggers mosquitoes. Mainly due to disease.
I've got weak ankles so you know I'll be falling on my face hiking in the woods.
Cold weather and wind on the boat. My lips get so chapped. Chapstick is a must.
Delusional parasitosis (feeling like there are ticks on me constantly)
I have Crohn's and have to focus on my health during the field season…which is hard.
Driving stick. Why are all field vehicles manual and why am I so bad at it?
Allergies, mosquitoes, IBD, and asthma.
Pollen allergies
Sand in my shoes (I work on dune systems).
Staying awake on drives to field sites. Car trips make me so sleepy!
Night work. I always had a fear of the dark and every job I’ve had so far was with nocturnal animals.
I’m super sensitive to the sun, which is hard to escape where I work in the desert.
Sun. I was diagnosed with melanoma at 28, so I am constantly covered up and applying sunscreen.
Devil’s club. And ongoing knee issues.
Managing chronic pain.
I have a terrible sense of direction.
Dogs and landowners. The most dangerous “things” I encounter in the field.
The battle between not wanting to get wet (rain/on the water) and not wanting to roast.
Obsessively checking for ticks after I caught Lyme disease.
Realizing how out of shape I am once I start hiking.
Everything in the desert is bitey/pokey and also I got heat stroke once.
Being allergic to pine trees and working in a pine forest.
Stinging nettle. I break out in a super painful rash and it takes forever to go away.
Ticks and being harassed by men.
Having to explain what I’m doing to “normal” people passing by.
Having to find field pants to accommodate my wide hips.
Time. It feels so important , so it’s hard prioritizing what gets monitored and what doesn’t.
I want to be outside all day but I do not enjoy the cold or rain. Also, I’m hungry all the time.
In the Arctic, having layers for all weather no matter the season.
Doing a good job of packing food (quality and quantity) and not regressing to daily fast food.
Bugs bugs bugs
85 degree F temperatures. I got heat exhaustion in 2015 and I’m sensitive to heat now and I live in Texas.
What is your favorite nature themed song/podcast?
Ask A Biologist Monday 4/12/21
My most recent favorite is Completely Arbortrary.
Answers from the Biologists:
Colors of the Wind by Vanessa Williams
Ologies
American Birding Association: American Birding Podcast
The Wild with Chris Morgan
Anchored by April Vokey
MeatEater
Bear Grease
National Parks After Dark
Threshold podcast
Wasteland Baby by Hozier
I Wish You Were Dead (paleontology!)
Snake Talk
The Fisheries Podcast
Headwaters
Wildflowers by Tom Petty
Rattlesnake Girl by Jaime Wyatt
6 Ranch Podcast
Stuff You Should Know
This Podcast Will Kill You
Fleet Foxes, John Denver, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Pine Tree by Johnny and June Cash
Speak Up for the Blue
The Hunting Collective
In Defense of Plants
And a very special remake of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” written by a Biologist Dad:
“Flora, fauna, phytoplankton, earth and atmospheeeeere…We love our wildlife, we’ll keep your numbers up, whether a sturgeon or a new wolf pup, we’re in your corner, trust in us as we sing: You will recover! That is our focus view, we’re like a mother and we are always true. Species, our focused view!”
What was your first job in this field?
Ask A Biologist Monday 4/5/21
Mine was a biological technician position for the BLM in New Mexico during the summer before my junior year of undergrad. We did a whole range of activities including invasive plant removal, native plant plantings, game camera placement, wildlife exclosure building, fixing fences, and trail maintenance.
Answers from the Biologists:
I was a YCC crew leader for the FWS. We poured concrete but I learned a lot about the Service.
I documented new aquatic invasive species for the Michigan DNR.
An interpretive naturalist for a state park.
Reptile conservation in the Atacama desert.
I got my first zoo job in college. I went to the zoo and basically begged for a job!
Fisheries field tech at IRBS, Havana IL, 1 year after undergrad.
Surveying habitat in northern MN for potential elk reintroduction, summer after I finished undergrad.
REU researcher at SIU-Carbondale collecting food web data on amphibians and spiders.
Summer after my freshman year I worked at a wildlife rehabilitation center.
Identifying and preserving native MT prairie fish.
A fellowship through my school in my last year of undergrad that led to grad school!
West Virginia DNR working as a fish diversity tech.
Rio Grande silvery minnow tech for USFWS the summer between high school and uni.
I was a bat technician for a grad student my junior year of undergrad.
Golden-cheeked warbler field tech at Ft. Hood.
Junior year I worked managing the crocs at a crocodile farm.
Mule deer nutrition study in an experimental forest in Oregon.
Natural history museum collection manager for my undergrad university.
Seasonal technician in Alaska studying Emperor geese.
Research tech for otter genetics study my junior year in WY.
Wildlife apprentice in Redwoods State and National Parks studying martens.
Through the SCA I was a fellow for the USFWS working on an NWR for bio planning.
Field tech for NM cooperative fish and wildlife unit summer before my junior year.
Summer after my freshman year, I worked on a YCC crew stationed in the Cibola National Forest.
Data collection in the Channel Islands-free diving!
Spotted owl surveys in CA.
Paid undergrad research looking at Bachman’s sparrow site preference.
Archeologist who dabble in Bio-fire effects monitoring and plant inventory for NPS.
Interpretive ranger for the Fernbank Museum-I managed a 65 acre old growth forest.
USFWS Pathways intern in visitor services.
Ohio River National Wildlife Refuge summer position summer after my sophomore year.
Trail crew member through SCA in Alaska.
Field tech for USGS slingin’ bird carcasses on wind farms.
Research assistant in the Baltic Seabird Project.
Cutting down invasive Russian olive with the Utah Conservation Corps, 2 years after undergrad.
Technician for the WA Dept of Ecology.
Undergrad REU studying critically endangered pupfish in Texas.
Summer internship for a NSF site fidelity study of local marsh fish.
Wildlife rehabilitation intern.
Point counts at Yosemite National Park.
Undergrad researcher for project on use of underpasses.
Summer field tech on urban stream ecology.
Working with leatherback sea turtled in Trinidad.