Would you like to submit a question to the community of Biologists?
What is something you didn’t expect to learn from being a Biologist?
Ask a Biologist Monday 6/6/22
Answers from Biologists:
That it’s more about dealing with people than dealing with wildlife.
What I am (and am not) willing to put up with for the experience.
People management skills.
Leadership/conflict management. It’s not all about wildlife.
Managing wildlife is more about managing people.
I didn’t know that biology students and biologists were basically expected to work for free.
How difficult it is to land a job without relocating.
Ecotourism can negatively affect wildlife. It changed my perspective on that topic.
Dealing with people is the majority of the job.
How toxic academia/grad school can be. If I didn’t love my research so much, I would have left long ago.
How little communication there is between different departments.
How to jury rig anything with duct tape, sticks, or cord.
How to fix cars.
Making a good spreadsheet takes experience.
Extra data collection can equal new research.
Academia will use the “passion” argument to exploit you until all that is left is your burned out self.
Learning Wordpress.
Your superiors will make you do things they have no idea how to do themselves and expect greatness.
How to skin an animal.
Computer programming.
How to stand up for yourself. Before I started working in this field I was timid.
That a (dead) moose’s nose feels like memory foam.
Different shorebird species have different smelling poop.
How difficult it is to find a permanent or full-time job.
Enhanced people skills. Partnerships and collaboration is huge.
The importance of knowing different computer languages.
Spending more time with dead things than alive things.
How much working away for long periods of time impacts mental health.
That we don’t have all the answers and inter-trans disciplinary work is where it’s at.
How to build things like radio tracking towers, soft release enclosures, etc.
How much of a privilege access to library databases is.
When did you begin to feel like a Biologist?
Ask a Biologist Monday 5/30/22
Answers from Biologists:
When I started doing well at my first permanent job (age 29). Sometimes it takes a bit!
Graduate school and when getting the job with that title.
When people saw me as the go to for bug questions and general plant/animal ID.
When I was handed a project with no SOP and basically no training and told to figure it out.
When I started to see success and collaborate with successful peers.
When I got my first non-tech job and start working with like-minded people.
In grad school when someone gave me bad advice and I said “I don’t think so”.
Not even after getting a permanent full time job.
When I passed my state DNR malacologist test even though I’d done Bio for 10 years.
When I successfully collected my first blood sample from a nestling in grad school.
When I had expertise in my subject and without it I wouldn’t have been able to do my job.
When I got my first full-time permanent position.
When I landed my first job as a biologist after grad school.
When I could ID birds my bosses couldn’t.
First field trip. A handful of equipment, no idea what that was.
When I was a toddler catching frogs and snakes with my mom and she called me her biologist.
When you included me in your biologist artist gift guide.
When other biologists lifted me up and pointed to me as an expert in things.
When undergrads started to treat me as a mentor.
When I started handling animals and bleeding and I was really good at it.
My second or third tech position working with birds.
Whenever a layperson is wrong about something. I learned in college that I can correct them.
About a year into my first permanent full time biologist job. Age 33.
Third summer undergrad, designed and enacted a wildflower project.
When people would ask what I do professionally and then get quiet to hear what I have to say.
Haven’t felt it yet.
On my way to my first field day of my job when I realized little me would be proud.
When I could stand in front of a room of people and confidently explain my work and answer questions.
First summer field season doing my first independent research.
Getting a paper published. Although it still feels weird since I only have a BS.
When coworkers or techs started coming to me for questions.
My first field tech job.
When I was doing research at a field site an then hearing it was getting submitted for publication.
When I started writing a book and realized that I needed to call myself a biologist (not student) to fix the title.
A colleague casually referred to my crew and I as such and I finally allowed myself to own it.
When I first measured a bat as an undergrad technician. It felt like destiny, as corny as that may seem.
First lab job out of college.
Return of a favorite: What’s your favorite field meal/snack?
Ask a Biologist Monday 5/23/22
Answers from Biologists:
Chicken salad with crackers/bells peppers or PBJ, blueberries, and granola bars.
Overnight oats with lots of fruit, Mediterranean salad with lots of veggies.
Teryaki beef jerky, Annie’s fruit snacks, and everything bagels.
Tuna packets in a tortilla, trail mix, and granola.
Frozen smoothie that is defrosted by lunch time. Perfect for hot days!
Grapes, crackers, and cheese (if it’s not too hot) or zone perfect peanut butter bars.
Overnight oats, trail mix, dried mango, apples, PB&J sandwich.
Granola bars.
When it’s super hot we put ice-cream in our coffee.
Tuna packet, cheese stick, pretzels, perfect bar, fruit.
Granola or power bars, tangerines and PB&J.
Anything that can be eaten with a fork (dirty hands).
Fruit roll ups. I eat like 3 a day in the field.
Bumblebee tuna snakc packs are amazing (highly recommend rosemary flavor).
Gummy bears
Hard to beat classic PB&J. Cheap, easy, and delicious.
Peanut butter M&Ms. You can pour them right in your mouth. Dirty hands safe.
Dried mango.
Chocolate covered espresso beans and pecans. If it melts you get chocolate bark.
PB&honey and goldfish crackers.
Clif bars
Brazil nuts and dried cherries.
Fig/fruit bars, granola, and fruit leather.
PB and banana tortillas.
Smoked salmon, tuna, summer sausage, jerky, string cheese, raw veggies, fruit.
I always have 600 granola bars in my life jacket pockets.
Marinated baked tofu (can get it premade from Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, etc.).
Hard boiled eggs, dried fruit, beef jerky, banana chips, and cranberry juice.
PB&J, carrots, and crackers. Stuff that doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
Hearty sandwich, granola bar, almonds, fruit.
Cold pizza.
Hard boiled eggs and an apple.
Vegan jerky.
Summer sausage and packable cheese, bell peppers, baguette.
Vegan jerky. It’s the closest I can get to eating chips on the boat at work.
Clementines and string cheese.
Nuts, granola bar, bananas, and at least a gallon of water.
Hummus, flatbread, and hard cheese, paired with nuts and dried fruit.
Pepperoni and cheese.
PB bagel. All the calories pls.
Dried fruit and jerky.
A Tupperware of PB with chopped apples, honey, chocolate, and brown sugar.
Tuna fish, cliff bars, and leftover dinner.
I exist entirely on homemade trail mix.
Flavored almonds, sesame crackers, or fruit snacks.
Salami wrapped in cheese.
Don’t like PB so salami and cheese sticks, dried fruit, goldfish.
Slim jims, goldfish, cliff bars, apple sauce pouches.
Cucumber with spicy peanut sauce. Delicious and hydrating.
Hearty trail mix, cliff/zbars, fresh fruit.
Hummus mayo tomato, turkey on toast sammie. Extra protein, no mushy bread.
Smoked salmon, black bean tamales, and cherry tomatoes.
Hummus with veggies, wasabi almonds, dried chili mango.
The classic PB&J.
Peanut butter, cheese, cucumber, and honey sandwich.
Carrots and almond butter.
Salami and fruit.
Left over sweet potato chili in a tortilla.
Gomacro bars.
Nuts and walnut bread.
Chickpea salad with pasta. Use vegan mayo so it doesn't go bad.
Homemade stromboli frozen. Thaws in 1-3 days.
Nothing beats wild berries in late summer. Snack as you go.
Gushers fruit snacks! Gatorade, pretzels, and PB for dipping.
PB and honey tortilla and lemon larabar.
Blueberries and frozen grapes.
What is a job related stressor?
Ask A Biologist Monday 5/16/22
Answers from Biologists:
Did we put the boat plug in and did it get pulled out after?
Did I close the -30 freezer all the way? One time the answer was no.
Anything related to chemical control for invasive plant species in wetlands.
If we eradicated the entire colony of red imported fire ants near a ground bird nest.
That one of my motus towers will fall and crush someone.
Packing enough food for days in the field.
Forgetting to relay vital info to a tech.
Making sure I lock all the gates/freezers/cameras/pens/everything.
Whether I’ve truly found every plant species actually in plot.
Keeping current on constantly changing policies and making sure stuff if up to date.
Did I drop something in the field?
Trying not to step on nests that have been perfectly evolved to be hidden (plovert/tern).
That I didn’t release all my captured bees and there’s a stowaway in the cooler.
The public. Conservation in state/federal parks can be miserable because of the public.
Did I turn the temperature loggers on?
Regularly changing scientific names and staying up to date on new technologies.
Whether or not updating R will break my old computer.
Checking weather/trying to guess which creeks are low enough to sample.
Balancing perspectives of field staff, the public, headquarters, and politics to inform policy.
Locks. All the locks.
Releasing species information in a responsible and legal way.
How to survive summer in the field in the Mojave desert.
Whether I closed all the traps for the day even after triple checking them.
Did I make sure the collar was working before I let that animal go?
Are any health problems something that I could have prevented/noticed sooner?
I have stumbled into illegal marijuana grows (and people) while doing fieldwork. Not fun.
Correctly locking gates that keep bison in a pasture. I go back and double check a lot.
I have nightmares that I’ve left a mist net open. Didn’t actually happen.
Poor management.
Waiting for monarchs to enclose and praying it goes smoothly.
Making sure I take the magnet off the collar.
Whether our design accounts for most variables for best chance of success.
Technology not working. Especially government issues. Why is is so slooooow?
Asking property owners for permission to access privately owned land.
Did I actually turn on the detector before I walked away? Did I swap cards?
Leaving gate keys behind at the logging gate. Happened once, got them back. Idk if boss found out.
I misread the tides and my boat is high and dry when I come back. Or it’s just gone.
Illegal armed groups when going to new places.
Matching the SD card to the correct camera. Learned some sunscreen can erase sharpie.
Keeping date organized and usable.
Trying to find where I missed a parenthesis in R.
Snakes.
Injuries.
Safety of new techs. Especially during fire season.
What happens to my kids/students when they leave my class (home life, etc.)?
Making typos in the database.
Crass men at boat ramps who think they can say anything they want to me because I’m a woman.
Having to talk to private landowners about CWD.
Finding the nest before the chicks fledge (brood parasite mitigation).
Working temp jobs, not knowing where I’ll be working beyond 4-6 months at a time.
Insufficient information to be able to proceed forward and no one around knows the answers.
Worrying if doing nest checks might lead a predator to it.
Locking the truck keys in the truck, especially while in the field.
The patriarchy.
Grants.
Weather.
Did I properly close our shipping container or will it be full of thousands of angry bees tomorrow?
Is my tag properly activated when I put it on the bird?
Permits/regulations between agencies overlap and contradict but still need to be followed.
Rain for mistnetting birds. Run to close the nets ASAP in the north.
Tips for hot weather fieldwork.
Ask a Biologist 5/9/22
Answers from Biologists:
Gatorade/powerade powder
Swap bras for bikini tops-better for sweat (underwire ones available).
Water is good but don’t forget salty snacks with big water intakes-electrolytes.
Speak up if you need a break. Heat stroke/exhaustion is not joke.
Some sort of cooling towel (i.e. frogtogg)
Dress in layers. Places can be cold in the morning but hot by the afternoon. Moisture wicking bottom layer.
Always pack enough water, sunscreen, and salty snacks.
Take breaks in a shaded area whenever possible.
Keep a cooler with high water content foods like fruit.
Pedialyte on hand for emergencies.
Loose fitting quick dry everything.
The cooling neck/head gaiters really work.
Covering your head and the back of the neck can really help prevent heat stroke.
Drink lots of water but also include some electrolytes.
Wear fly fishing gloves-great for desert work (sun, bugs, irritating pants, etc.)
Pee often, pee clearly! Think you’re staying hydrated, you’re probably not.
Soak a buff or bandana before heading out-the evaporative cooling helps a ton.
Sunscreen!
Cover up. Synthetic sun shirts keep you cooler and prevent sunburn.
Wet bandana on your neck and lightweight white long sleeve. Both lifesavers.
Be sun-smart. Ventilated long sleeves or light drill cotton. Better to need to drink more water than deal with a sunburn.
Floppy hats that cover your ears and neck keep the sun off you better than ball caps.
Electrolyte packets are light. Throw a few in your bag to mix into your water when it gets hot.
Hydrate and skip the booze the night before a hot field day.
I freeze juice boxes and yogurt for cool treats on a really hot day.
Always eat, even if heat kills your appetite. Hyperhydration is a real threat.
A good hat to help cover your face when you work in a place shade.
Long sleeves and sunscreen. Make sure to reapply.
Keep packets of electrolytes drink mix in your pack and take frequent breaks.
Sunscreen is not optional.
There’s a neck tie called a “cool tie”-Lifesaver! Used it for years. Soak in water overnight.
Foam dog coats or foam neck wraps. Bring a cooler to repeatedly soak them in ice water.
Get old man dress shirts from Goodwill. They make really good sun protection in the heat.
Electrolyte water, cooling bandanas, drink electrolytes the night before.
Pickles!
I sometimes use a neck fan and freeze a gatorade and water.
Carry a small collapsible umbrella for instant shade and a first aid ice pack for instant cooling.
You can never go wrong with a bucket hat and a long sleeved button up from the thrift store.
Hydrate the night before to avoid beginning your day already dehydrated.
Crew Leads: Don’t ask the crew if they need a water break, just take one. If you stop to drink, they will too.
Drink electrolytes along with your water.
Wet a neck gaiter and refrigerate the night before. If you carry a cooler, keep an extra in there.
SPF shirts with long sleeves. The sun on your skin will roast you.
Long sleeve fishing shirts to keep the sun off and pickle juice!
Bring a change of clothes for the trip back and bring lots of water.
Sunscreen. Everywhere. Always. Don’t forget to reapply.
Bring some powdered electrolyte packs with you to add to your water.
Anti-tip: battery powered mini fans will be a waste of your time and money.
Electrolyte pills (to swallow, not dissolve). Take at the beginning and end of your field day.
Always always pack more water than your think you’ll need.
I wear long sleeves for sun protection, so I dip my sleeves in the river when it’s hot.
Have electrolytes, not just water.
Popsicles in pre-chilled hyroflasks filled with ice.
Remind yourself no matter how slow you have to go, it’s faster than passing out.
Mineral sunblock (zinc/titanium) works better than other sunscreens.
Lots of water and a cold electrolyte drink.
Start as early as possible. I’d rather get up at 4am and work in cooler temps if it’s an option.
Always pack extra water in the car for after fieldwork. I like to have a bottle of ice water.
Electrolyte packets. Be careful with over hydration in hot weather too.
Wear quick drying clothing, light colored bandana to keep around your neck.
I wear synthetic UV-protectant fingerless gloves (Simms). Hands sunburn/windburn too.
Bring ORS always. Things to cool-head, feet, arm pits, and groin. Don’t be embarrassed!
Pay attention to how much you’re sweating (especially if you stop!) Heatstroke sucks.
Have lots of extra water in your vehicle at all times. Sunscreen, electrolyte packets.
Freeze small gatorade bottles for your fieldbag. It’ll thaw midday and give you electrolyte slushies.
Put electrolytes in your water or bring a packet of liquid IV.
Always bring more water than you think you’ll need.
Leave a cooler with ice packs and water/gatorade in your car.
Make sure you tell people where you’ll be.
Freeze half your water bottles and put extras at the bottom of the bag so they’re insulated.
Keep sandals in your vehicle to put on after a long day. Your feet will be so happy.
Set a timer for sunscreen. It lasts 1-1.5 hours. Put it on naked if possible at the start of the day so you don’t miss any spots.
When you feel a hot spot on your face, cover it ASAP with a bandage to prevent blistering.
With work gloves for long periods, stuff mountain mint inside to prevent hand odor.
Bring a change of underwear for when it sweat through yours too prevent yeast infections.
Keep emergency chemical cold packs in your pack to treat people in the field.
What are your field safety tips?
Ask a Biologist Monday 5/2/22
Answers from Biologists:
Your life is more important than the data collection. Safety is first, data is second.
Always carry a form of ID on your person.
Trust your gut. It might be cliché, but it’s not wrong.
Try to park in a place that’s hard to box in.
Bring bear spray
Wear bright field gear with very obvious agency patch. Especially in less population areas.
Get Wilderness First Aid/First Responder training.
Invest in satellite messaging device, such as Garmin inreach
Pay attention to the wind/sky. Don’t rely on the weather forecasts alone.
Always turn the truck facing outward from your field site in case of emergency.
Leave a map or a log of where you’ll be that day.
Always carry more water than you think you’re going to need.
Have a turn around time and stick to it.
Makin sure your assigned Garmin device subscription is active.
Maxx Trax.
Stick to the plan you’ve told people.
Leave immediately if you find explosives or something suspicious.
Wear your sunscreen. Keeping your skin safe is important.
Wear something bright in the woods, even if not required to.
Hydration. If you’re thirty, you’re already starting to dehydrate.
Check for cell service or use a radio/satellite phone.
When boating, have a float plan and share it with at least one other person.
Carry benadyrl and epinephrine.
Life jackets aren’t optional in the water, no matter how safe you feel.
If you are diabetic, asthmatic, or anything else that could affect you in the field, inform your coworkers.
Backup batteries for phone/GPS.
If you’re really out in the field, pack smoke flares.
Pack water tablets and ration bars for emergencies.
Make sure you tell someone when you’re going somewhere without cell service.
Carry phone charging banks in case your phone dies or have a radio.
Always have a map and a plan of extraction.
Foam dog coats are a lifesaver in high temperatures. They make human versions.
Carry a knife or multitool.
Bear spray works for more than just bears.
Tell someone the latest time you’ll be back.
2-way radios for short range field communications when teams split up at a site.
Make sure you have a paper map for directions in case your phone dies or doesn’t have service.
If something goes wrong, stay calm. Shock can set in fast and hinder your ability to get yourself out.
In remote areas, Garmin inreach devices use satellites to send text messages in emergencies.
Invest in an InReach and always carry it with you in case there’s no cell signal.
Carry a whistle. Simple but I scared off a cougar that I caught stalking a coworker.
Bring forceps, tweezers, and a mini ziploc, insect collection vial, or tape for embedded ticks.
Pack/drink more water than you think you need.
Ask if your job will pay for Wilderness First Aid training.
Look before reaching into any hidden areas. You might find a friend that doesn’t want to be a friend.
Always keep your keys in a safe place. I clip them inside my bag.
Have superglue on you. It’s perfect emergency stitches.
In addition to wearing something bright, flagging is helpful to not get lost.
Take notice more often. Of changes in air temperature, what’s around you, landmarks.
Know what harmful animals and plants are in your area besides your study species.
If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts.
Mark vehicle entry/exit points on more than one device when going off trail.
Benadryl in your pack in case your have an allergic reaction happen.
Keep someone not with you updated on the day’s plans.
Always make sure there is an emergency jug of water in the truck during the summer.
Carry a knife, whistle, and water.
Buy a good electrolyte powder or tablet.
Regularly brush up on truck maintenance skills.
Pack gear for multiple weather scenarios and always have extra clothes.
Don’t step anywhere you can’t see the ground (snake holes, etc. can hurt you).
Be familiar with a compass and map. Know how to get out of the woods without a GPS.
You’re not obligated to talk to people who make you feel unsafe.
Know exactly where you’re at. Don’t trespass on private property.
Take survival gear and know how to use it.
Carry a knife, whistle, water, and a jacket.
Wear eye protection. I learned this the hard way.
GPS the truck location and the place you left the trail.
Avoid cotton clothes.
Redundancy in communication devices. Always have a back up plan.
Talk to the animals so they know you’re there.
Always wear sunscreen.
Drink lots of water.
Pack an “oh shit” kit with essentials, like food, rope, fire starter, etc. in case you’re stranded.
Always carry an extra container of water.
Have a first aid kit with you. Expect the worst.
What did you originally want to do and what do you do now?
Ask a Biologist Monday 4/25/22
Answers from Biologists:
I wanted to be a carnivore ecologist (bears, wolves) and now I work with birds.
Exotic animal vet. But I discovered wildlife ecology in sophomore year of undergrad and never looked back.
Big game disease work. Now I’m an environmental coordinator for a state agency.
Dreamt of ornithology. Real life job: Marine biology-sea turtle research
I wanted to be a wildlife vet but was bad at chemistry. I like research so I’m a mammal biologist now.
Marine biologist working with sharks, now I’m a bat biologist.
Work with wolves. Now I work with bighorn sheep.
Wanted to be a researcher, now I work as a consultant instead.
Paleontology vs. ornithology
Originally wanted to study grizzly bear physiology, now I study marine mammals.
A vet. Once I started to take more classes, I realized I had other interests.
I wanted to work in genetics and veterinary medicine. Now I study squirrels and movement ecology.
Wanted to work with big cats and carnivores. Now I work with a rodent species (tucos).
Was determined to be a herpetologist, ended up working with birds.
Conservation biologist. I actually work for a state wildlife agency doing oversight on development.
Wanted to study elephant behavior (and did). Now I study urban mammal ecology.
Dreamed about carnivore biology. I remediate DOE sites. I worked with black bears and red wolves in school.
Game warden. I currently work in habitat, but who knows for the future.
Originally herpetologist, then anti-poaching unit. Now I’m a bat biologist.
Restoration ecologist. Currently working in environmental education, moving back to insects and plants.
Originally wanted to study lemur behavior. Now I’m in avian toxicology.
I wanted to study animal behavior. Now I am a consultant because it pays.
Marine biologist but I got sick just looking at a boat so I’m a landscape ecologist.
A marine biologist. I work in freshwater and compliance now.
Wanted to be a bear biologist with the feds but ended up an environmental education with an NGO.
I wanted to be an English teacher and now I just finished a degree in biology and French.
Originally a physician. Now a naturalist.
Bear biologist. Now I’m an outreach specialist for bird conservation.
Wanted to study sea turtles and now I study small mammals.
To work with duck banding or waterfowl. Now I create wildlife habitat from old farm land.
Wanted to work with wolves (favorite animal and Indigenous) and now I’m doing it.
I wanted to study animal behavior but now I’m more focused on conservation genetics.
Originally wolves or foxes. Now I work with small animals (mice, rats, voles).
Cervids. I did and I still kind of do some cervid work but I keep coming back to prairie dogs.
Work with crocodiles, now I actually work with crocodiles.
Originally mammals, currently herps (tortoises).
Coral reef restoration or sea turtles. I work as an environmental consultant.
Ungulate work. Now I’m a fish biologist.
Wanted to work with sharks. Now work with salmon and trout.
I wanted to work with manatees. Now I am more interested in birds.
DNR/wildlife rehab. Now I’m a natural history collection manager.
I wanted to work with birds, now I plan and install natural habitats on agricultural lands.
I wanted to be a bat biologist and I guess I just stuck with that because now I work with bats.
I started as psychology. Switched to animal behavior and now I study songbirds.
Wanted to work in fisheries, now I work with mostly turtles and other species at risk.
Printed and small cats. Now local species, frogs, turtles, butterflies.
Thought I would travel the world doing field research. Now I’m a zoo educator.
A refuge manager. Now I’m a data specialist for imperiled species and it’s way more fun!
Wanted to be a vet, now I’m an evolutionary biologist working with reptiles and some amphibians.
Marine mammal vet and now I work as a water quality ecologist.
I wanted to be a forester. Now I work with a range of species, mostly birds.
Then: Herpetology. Now: Work in molecular bio
Marine biologist working with sea turtles, now work with Burmese pythons.
Originally wildlife rehab, now wildlife disease biologist.
Wildlife animal ambassador vs. education site lead.
Zoologist working with pollinators. Currently working in a hydrology lab.
I wanted to work with canine genetics, became an entomologist, gave up biology to be a veterinarian.
Also dreamt of working with wolves (and corvids) but ended up focusing on forest ecosystems.
I was going towards fish living near the Great Lakes, but the birds swept me off my feet.
I wanted to be a marine biologist. I work with water quality, water use, wetland ecology.
I work with wild canids, which means I actually mostly work with humans.
Big game biologist. Now I’m an ecologist that focuses mainly on plants and birds.
Wanted to (and still do in the future) work in fisheries. Currently a wildlife biologist with USFWS.
Vet, then mammal conservation. Now I study grassland songbirds.
Landscape geomorph processes. I work with invasive fish now.
Wanted to be a genetic counselor. Now I’m researching aquatic climate change ecology.
Going into undergrad I thought ungulates. Now I study wetland/waterbird ecology.
I wanted to do research on South American birds. Now I do invertebrates, mainly freshwater.
I wanted to work with octopus. Now I work with octopus, lobster, and abalone.
Coral reef ecology, then aquatic toxicology with inverts, now native/invasive reptiles.
Study nutrition in moose. Now I work to improve habitat on private land.
Vet and small carnivore bio. Now I’m a taxidemist!
Grad school-bats. Now I work with sage grouse and sage grouse steppe habitats.
I wanted to work with mammals or birds. Birds were easier, but now I work with all of the species.
Small wild cat (ex: ocelot) conservation, but now a wildlife health biologist (and love it!).
Wanted to work with bats. But became smitten with birds.
I started out obsessed with tigers when I was a kid. I’m a fish biologist.
Underwater archaeologist. Now wildlife biologist in Alaska.
Large animal vet. Now elk, wolves, and many more. Lots of math now.
Wanted to study frogs and behavior. Now studying landscape ecology and lizards.
Sea turtles. I worked with them for 1 season but now I work with tons of species including RCWs.
I wanted to work with big cats. Now I work with a variety of T&E species (threatened and endangered) (birds, small mammals, herps).
Forest tree ecologist (did that several years. Now R and D biologist in biotech.
Film maker and grizzly bear research. Now the professor the Charismatic Minifauna lab.
I wanted to be a forensic psychologist. Now a raptor biologist.
What is a crazy or weird nature fact?
Ask a Biologist Monday 4/18/22
Answers from Biologists:
Bobcats predate deer in Florida-they kills and hide the carcass and then return to eat for 3-5 days.
Coastal wolves eat sea otters, chiton, intertidal fish species, so many things!
The Mola mola is the largest bony fish in the world despite their primary diet being jellyfish.
The largest living organism is a fungus.
Some jaguars that range in coastal areas like to eat nesting sea turtles.
Peromyscus species will “foot drum” and hit their paws against dead leaves (or a trap).
There have been a number of different animals (that aren’t mammals or birds) that can perform pathogenesis (self-fertilization).
Opossums body temperature is so low that it’s extremely rare for them to have rabies.
Bats give bl$wjobs.
River otter families will use bird-like chirping noises to find each other when lost.
Male angler fish bite and fuse themselves onto the much larger females like a parasite.
The smallest and the fourth largest mammal both communicate via echolocation.
Ketamine is produced by Pochonia chlamydosporia fungi as an anti-parasitic.
Whale sharks are the largest non-mammalian creature-average size is 32 feet, 20k lbs.
Crested auklets smell like tangerines.
The toxin in the Destroying Angel mushrooms inhibits RNA polymerase.
Cactus ferruginous Pygmy owls in Arizona have exhibited incestuous breeding pairs.
Hoary bats have penis spines, the longest of which are ~1cm (6% of their body length).
Pallid bats can eat scorpions and are immune to the venom.
Deer will occasionally snack on birds (and dead salmon).
Wombat feces are in the shape of cubes. 80-100 each night!
Black bears can eat up to 20,000 calories a day when preparing for winter.
Garden spiders will eat their old webs as an added source of protein.
Armadillos have identical quadruplets.
Burrowing owls can make rattlesnake sounds when frightened.
Common dolphins watch gray whales mate. They actively follow to watch.
A narwhal’s horn is their tooth sticking through their head.
Some species of whiptail lizards are parthenogenic, meaning they are all female.
Most types of skunks can spray multiple times (up to 7).
Badgers and coyotes have been found to cooperatively hunt.
You can sex a beaver by squeezing its butt glands.
Polar bears are marine mammals.
Some wildlife at Chernobyl has adapted to continuously get rid of radiation to survive.
Opossum nipples are in a bullseye configuration.
Walruses have the largest baculum (penis bone) in the animal kingsdom.
Porcupines have an average of 30,000 quills.
The furthest inland a shark has been seen was near St. Louis, over 7000 miles from the ocean.
An adult Hawaiin petrel (‘Ua’u in Hawaiian) can fly over 6000 miles in one trip to collect food for their trip.
Sperm whales echolocate at 200 decibels per second, making them the loudest animal.
Copperheads smell like cucumbers.
Barred owls can crack turtle shells with their beaks.
Amphisbaenians…the fact that they exist!
Echidna males have a 4 headed penis but only use 2 at a time.
Saw whet owls have pink party pants that only show up under UV light (used to determine age).
Turkey vultures vomit when they feel threatened.
Bedbugs reproduce through traumatic insemination where the male just stabs and hopes.
Giraffes will munch animal bones to get extra calcium.
Crocodile penises look like the Tremors worm and a tulip had a baby.
What is your advice for Biology conferences?
Ask a Biologist Monday 4/11/22
Answers from Biologists:
You’ll learn a ton from the presentations, but make sure you network.
If you’re a broke student, bring tupperware. There’s always extra food.
Wear comfortable shoes. I have gotten so many blisters at conferences because I wore new shoes.
Going to talks is really fun and interesting, but don’t forget to spend time networking too.
Attend local conferences even if you aren’t presenting so you can learn/network.
Attend mixer events and try to spend time outside of people you already know.
During networking hours, carry tea/soda so people stop pushing alcohol.
Don’t be afraid to break away from your usual group. Especially if you attend with a large crew.
Go to the socials/things even if you are alone.
Take advantage of the workshops that are offered.
Visit the booths and really talk to those at them.
Be very careful of invitations to drinks outside of the conference. Always bring a colleague along if you are a woman/younger biologist.
I go with a safe person I can sit with if I feel overwhelmed.
Report any harassment to those running the conference. They really do care and are there to protect/help you.
Have an “elevator speech” prepared about yourself and your work for intros with new people.
Conferences can be a thing. Give yourself time to rest and explore outside of them.
Check out the physical job boards posted at many of them.
Go to talks on a variety of subjects.
Try going to meetings from different societies to see where you fit in.
Ask others for advice on what to wear before going.
Plan your days and the talks you’ll go to.
Do your research beforehand on the scientist who will be there.
Snag that swag.
Print out your resume to have on hand and pass out to interested employers.
Don’t be afraid to talk to as many people as possible, even if you don’t know them.
What should you look for in a grad school program/advisor/school?
Ask a Biologist Monday 4/4/22
Answers from Biologists:
Being paid a living wage/health insurance.
A teaching or research assistantship. No one should be paying for grad school in this field.
Communicative and available to connect you to good funding and opportunities.
Resources, money for TA positions, vehicle to use for labs and research, lab space.
Someone who is kind. Ask previous students. Look at their drop out/drop down rates.
Mentoring style.
Funding. Is it provided? Will you have to find your own? Any additional work study or stipend?
A place where you can form a mutualistic relationship with advisors/lab.
Adequate pay/benefits.
An advisor you get along with.
A good grad student community. It makes everything so much easier.
Look into how supportive the program/school is to marginalized groups.
I went to a mostly online program so I could work full time while in school.
Look into their pass rate and gender ratio of former students. Talk to students who have finished/left.
Fully paid (includes fees, out of state tuition match, and healthcare)
Internal funding
Affordable housing nearby
On campus resources (food assistance, mental health services, etc.)
Student bylaws that serve you
Someone who is invested in your success and willing to make it happen (with grants etc.)
Ask about lab drop out rate as well as average grad timeline to graduation.
A compassionate and human advisor who cared for your well being (mental especially)
Ask others in the field about the reputation of the potential advisor and if they’re well liked/respected/respectful
Make sure your funding will last for the entirety of your grad school.
Quality connections in academia/industry/government that can help you find your next role.
Look at where graduates go, what jobs they get, and what kind of people the program and advisor put out.
Funding, project that align with your interests, advisor you click with.
Advisor should be upfront about stipend/funding/health insurance. If not, they’re hiding something.
Make sure they engage in actions that make the work environment a safe space for all backgrounds.
Check how long it takes their students to get their degrees.
Talk to current lab members and other faculty about the advisor.
Perspectives and advice from the current students in the lab/department.
Your potential advisor’s availability and how often they meet their students.
Mentoring style. Arguably more important than the project itself.
An advisor that understands what you want from work/life balance.
Current student load of the advisor, especially if you need more guidance/direction on your project.
The advisor supports the mental health of their students and values their well being above their productivity.
Accomodations in lab for disabled students/if they have mentored any in the past.
A mentoring style that fits you, a living wage, and a nice place to live.
Paid tuition
Check that no previous complaints have been made against the advisor (ex: bullying, sexual advances, etc.). Ask current and former students.
Advisor that supports your goals of fieldwork/lab work in your master's thesis study.
What is something others should know before getting into the field?
Ask a Biologist 3/28/22
Answers from Biologists:
The academic route is going to try and push you to workaholism
Who you know matters a lot more than it should
The money is hard to come by
It can take a long time to get to where you want to go.
There are very few jobs in this field where you work regular hours always.
It’s not only about fieldwork (which is often glorified). There’s a lot of grit work that happens post data collection.
It will likely be years (5-15) before you get a permanent position.
It’s okay for it to be “just” a job and not a way of life.
This field will likely require you to move all over for the first several years.
If your goal is close contact/touching animals, do recue/wildlife rehabilitation or zoo work, not research.
Your work doesn’t always speak for itself, so you need to speak up for yourself and others.
You don’t always have to go to grad school to get a permanent job.
Most permanent biologist positions require an understanding of basic statistics and modeling.
Having certifications for things like chainsaw skills and GIS are desirable.
It’s extremely difficult and hard to get a full time job.
It can be hard to long-term relationship, because of moving around and long hours.
The 3 E’s of extinction: Ego, Eliticism, Envy.
You have to know how to work with people.
The pay is not great but you deserve a living wage.
You need to use PTO. You’ve earned it and burnout is common.
It’s not about holding animals. Most permanent positions require at least 50% office time.
You have to be willing to work hard.
Some try to be gatekeepers. You don’t need permission to study something you are interested in.
Wildlife conservation is more about dealing with people than wildlife.
Be prepared for lots of writing/math and not a ton of money.
You might get rejected from most of the jobs you apply for. Don’t be discouraged!
You will be expected to work for free under the guise of volunteering to build your resume. Don’t do it.
Different agencies have different work cultures/work environment.
Education and experience is more important than basic trainings.
You will probably be doing things that don’t feel like science and are boring at times.
There’s a ton of sexism and racism still in the field.
Not every position is a field position or one that allows for interactions with animals.
It often takes more than a bachelor’s to get a permanent, livable wage job.
It’s tough. Having supportive friends/partners/family makes a difference.
You'll go through a lot of job hunting before you find something permanent.
You'll need a higher degree to get a full time job and even then there's no guarantee.
It depends on the location/organization but not all your colleagues will care about conservation.
You may be in the office more than out in the field.
Things can get really political.
You'll make amazing friends with similar passions.
Working within ethical standards on some projects is subtlely discouraged.
If you're in college, you need to do internships.
At the start you will almost certainly be overworked and overvalued.
When they say a job is 50% fieldwork, it's more like 10%.
The best paid positions are mostly desk jobs. The fieldwork based jobs don't often pay well.
Pay can differ between employees with the same titles and duties. Men often get paid more.
It can be a boys club of hook and bullet biology that's hard for non-hunting folks.
Networking and getting your name out the is key. Tough for us introverts!
Communication skills, both written and oral are super important.
Lots of gaslighting and being kept at low pay. High pay jobs are often less desirable jobs.
Leadership might lie and tell you what you want to hear. Do you background research!
Homophobia is rampant still and unfortunately you need to be cautious.
You need to set and communicate healthy boundaries, both in the office/lab and field.
Your employer should be willing to invest in your career, or it's not worth it.
What duties does your job involve?
Ask a Biologist Monday 3/21/22
Answers from Biologists:
Water sampling, fish and microinvertebrate collection, regulation standards setting, water chemistry and pollutant analysis
Identifying and managing plant restoration projects for a National Park. Identifying plants, GIS, etc.
Compiling, editing, and providing data on endemic and sensitive species in the state.
Working for the Yurok tribe to build a new CA condor release site, tracking with radio collars
Foot and kayak surveys, drone work, mapping, grant writing for species at risk.
Using cameras to assess a rare chipmunk population in a habitat altered by wildfire
Habitat restoration on 45,000 acres of public surveys, waterfowl banding, and public contacts.
Collecting important data about bird migrations for a wind farm.
Work for a water engineering firm in NYC in the permitting and planning group.
Analyzing survey and banding data, supporting survey design, writing reports, writing manuscripts, meetings.
Bird banding, teaching local communities about landbird monitoring, science communication.
Teaching kids about vernal pools, who lives in them, and how they can protect them.
Pond restoration, dip netting and fence monitoring for flatwood salamanders.
Monitoring military bases for nesting snowy plovers and least terns for state/fed requirements.
Species surveys, habitat assessments, vegetation monitoring, NEPA, ESA, consultation and more.
Raptor trapping, banding, translocation, pyrotechnics and firearms use
Early detection and rapid response for invasive plants species.
Surveys, data collection and entry, inventory and monitoring tribal species, regulatory tribal response.
Animal care, data collection, partner coordination, experimental design, grad student supervision
Fieldwork, grant and data entry (tech)
Supervise/train undergrads, animal care, data/sample collection, research plan/designs
Collection of data in the field and the lab (tech)
Inventory and monitoring on refuges, habitat step down plans, data management
Collecting seed demography, rare plant surveys, many more things
Surveys, avian monitoring, data management, mentoring, consulting for ESA/MBTA
Surveys for bear dens, nesting birds and rare plants, plus amphibian and fish salvage
State oversight of industrial development, requiring wildlife surveys, reports, collaboration
Jet boat diving, snorkeling, salmonoid identification, much more
Monitoring PIPL (Great Lakes population), RPBB habitat implementation, outreach, NRDAR
What’s a funny/frustrating thing your study species does?
Ask A Biologist Monday 3/14/22
Answers from Biologists:
Melanophyrniscus toads perform unken reflex for defense but it’s so cute!
Hawaiian monk seals sleep against our tents in the field and snore and fart all night long.
Common mergansers regurgitate fish in the banding box.
Dragonfly larvae spit water at you.
Bats chew straight through your mist net and escape.
Old world warblers. They exist and are a pain to ID in the field.
Raccoons will mess with any and all traps.
Marbled salamander skin slime makes nitrile gloves stick together like super glue.
When aquatic turtles rip into the mesh bait bag, shredding it and making it useless.
Snapping turtles swim up to hoop nets and will last minute decide they don’t want to go in.
Turtles bask on the side of flotation traps rather than the doors that will catch them.
Green turtles can get themselves out of tangle nets and are shockingly good out outmaneuvering boats.
Pippistrellis bats adjusting their sonar to sound exactly like a grasshopper.
Every purple martin nestling I band poops like clockwork when I remove them from a gourd.
When you put up protective netting for LETE and they nest right outside of it.
Some animals really like being trapped or learn to get peanut butter out without being trapped.
Meadowlarks will sing from the top of mist nets we are trying to catch them with.
I have been slapped in the face by a rhesus macaque.
Prairie dogs will flip traps to get the bait without getting trapped.
Canada geese have innate aim for sensitive areas when they bite.
Rabbits will sit on top of traps and poop on them an not even go into them.
Sage grouse males will try to mate with cow pies…
For fecal pellet samples. collection day tends to be the one time tuco-tucos don’t poop.
Shy sharks curl up like a donut, which makes it impossible to measure them.
Wolf licked a flower and got stung by a bee when I was nearby. Hated me from then on.
Collared pika will spend hours on top of the traps we’re trying to catch them in.
Commercial bumblebees will put their trash in the areas of the nest designed for food delivery.
Green sea turtles will slap sand in your face if they notice you when digging a nest.
Parasites get damaged so easily when collecting, literally losing their heads.
Skunk kits may not spray but they make up for it in attitude. Only wildlife I’ve been chased by.
Downy woodpeckers can crawl upside down in weighing tubes.
Peromyscus species move incessantly in the bag which makes them hard to weigh.
In our effort to band, owls perch on top of the nests set up to capture them.
Goshawks love to dive bomb when you approach their nest site. It’s hilarious but terrifying.
Sometimes saw whet owls will toot along with the audio lure but not actually get in the net.
Least tern nestlings will cry and squirm just at the moment you squeeze shut the banding pliers.
Snowy plovers will brood their chicks without considering their surroundings.
Coyotes will walk in a “C” around my camera to perfectly avoid it. And eat my straps.
Western screech owls sound just like the rivers they sing over.
Florida scrub jays will beg for peanuts instead of building their nests.
Male turtles will often stick their penis out when held.
Fawns get the zoomies in front of trail cameras.
Deer like to have just their butts, ears, nose, or feet in the frames so you can’t ID them.
American kestrel chicks constantly scream before, during, and after banding.
Trying to find breeding tree frogs who are piercingly loud, but when right near them, silent.
Asian elephants can hear you coming through their feet.
Blanding’s turtles can shut off blood flow to their tails when I’m taking blood samples.
What is the grossest/weirdest thing you’ve done at work?
Ask a Biologist Monday 3/7/22
Answers from Biologists:
Carried up to 80lbs of raw horse meat for a mile to set up food caches for endangered Mexican wolves.
Hand-stamped thousands of metal tree tags with a tiny letter F.
Climbed into a dumpster full of deer heads to transfer half of them to another dumpster.
Pulled fungus ropes out of raceways.
Clam, oyster and mussel smoothies to test for the presence of biotoxins.
We had a carp die-off in a lake. They floated to the top and I had to boat out and collect them.
Tucked a dead/drowned chick into my pocket because we ran out of whirl packs for storage.
Strung mealworms onto a fishing line to train bats to forage in the air.
Threw dead 20lb fish into the river for stream enrichment.
Common baits in entomology: rotten fruits/shrimp.
Getting regurgitated on by gulls. Will it be fish or hotdogs??
Spending all day every day counting pine cones on trees and making pine seed traps.
If there’s a possible wolf scat, we smell it to see if it smells “wolfy”.
Condor feeding and cleanup. Hiking hundreds of pounds of rotting carcasses in the dark every 3 nights.
Grinding sea anemones into a paste.
Coyote lure leaking in my backpack.
Bear bait. We used fish carcasses and cow’s blood left for a week beforehand.
Sexing geese via the cloaca during banding season. You never know what will squirt or crawl out.
Spread around human feces bait for butterfly surveys.
Cleaned a macerated musk ox skull that had been sitting in a barn for 50 years.
Skunk butter, vaseline, and skunk scent for fox surveys. Everything smelled like it.
Cut off the head of a dead bighorn and packed it out several km (lab check for nasal tumors).
Vacuumed roaches out of tree cavities (made for woodpeckers).
Cut up mice.
Turkey diarhea.
Fall Chinook spawning ground surveys (collect data on dead and decaying salmon carcasses).
Salvaged roadkill to bait turtle traps.
Cleaning out mammal bycatch from pitfall traps.
Being inside a full grown whale carcass during a necropsy.
Tied a skinned beaver hip to a pull string for a bear trap.
Sniff tuco tuco vaginal discharge-monitoring infection postbirth/retained fetuses.
Did scat sorting-reheated wet wolf scat in an oven.
Helped dissect an orca stomach on a concrete driveway.
Putting out rotting rats for ABB surveys.
Aging male malards. IYKYK.
Swabbing turtle cloacas.
Dissecting roadkill armadillos. New or old, it’s all equally stinky in different ways.
Smear sardines on a scent post near a camera trap. Also used Chanel #5.
Handling wolverine bait/lure. Rotten beavers, skunk glands, etc.
I’m a road ecologist and have handled every kind of roadkill.
Assisted with a bison necropsy. Tried to pull out the stomach but it was tough to grip.
Thawing out a freezer full of carnivore scat for analysis. Bear stinks the worst.
Necrospied a deer with systematic infection that had pus throughout most organs.
Collected expired food and waste from restaurant and grocery stores to bait bears.
Hiking miles with dead birds to send out for necropsy. The smell.
Dissecting a 4-5 day old dead black bear.
First day doing falconry work. Had to catch spoiled pork after force casting the hawk.
Dissecting otoliths out of very rotten fish heads.
Throw dead trout that escaped their tanks overnight in a dumpster.
Got cattle blood from a slaughterhouse to mix with the fish emulsion to make bear bait.
Extract several pounds of River herring ovaries to weigh and then leave out for bears.
Pumping live trout stomachs and collecting the contents to see what they’re eating.
Recovering bands from dead and decaying birds. Sometimes an entire leg comes off instead.
Hot glued acetaminophen tablets to dead neonatal mice to drop from helicopters to combat invasive brown tree snakes.
Milked a male sturgeon. Exactly what you’re thinking.
Sexing Douglas fir beetles (~2mm) by looking under their elytra at their abdomen.
Cutting jaws off dead coyotes to pull teeth and necropsies of the animal.
Carried 6-12 live mice with me at all times from March-August for owl surveys.
Walked through a neighborhood with a urine covered pillowcase with rabbits in it.
Shot a massive cockroach at my face with the door of a Sherman trap.
Baited camera traps with raw chicken and Gusto lure (fermented skunk glands) for fishers.
Sampling in a lake that had a sewer overflow of 5 million gallons.
Processing chicken necks and beef hearts for captive animals.
Anything involving Gusto bait.
Measuring bear skulls covered in maggots when the meat is liquifying off them.
Decomposing brains during necropsies.
Sliced open frozen rock doves, removed their reproductive parts, and tied them out for peregrines.
Shoveled bloody sand off a beach into a dumpster.
Bird poop to the face while banding.
Banding pelican chicks was fun but the regurgitated fish smell doesn't come off my hands for days.
Cutting parts off dead birds and bats for carcass persistence study.
Elbow/arm deep in a rancid bull elk to collect CWD sample.
Collecting scales from maggot covered pus bags (decomposing salmon)
Popped a 3 week old (sitting out drying) owl eyeball onto my pants.
Trying to pull a swarm of baby leeches out from under the skin of my toe.
Decapitating deer with a sawzall.
Removed week old turkey vulture carcasses from the survey site.
Sorting through vomit for hours each week.
Made and kept a mosquito colony with my own blood because we didn't have guinea pig permits.
Scuba diving for listed muscles right below chicken farm byproduct dump.
Washing carnivore scat into cheesecloth to do hair follicle/diet work.
Pulled guts out of mice for rehab owls. Saved any fetuses as treats for bats.
Popped the head off a dead bobwhite to get the collar back.
Extracted a sparrow from a mist net that was decapitated by a shrike.
Got squirted in the face by a popped fish eye while baiting a hook for shark surveys.
Discovering brain absesses in deer while sampling for CWD.
Hacked off the flipper of a long dead 500lb sea turtle.
Cutting dead rats in half vertically for raptors in willdife rehab.
Measuring cloacal protuberances (sperm storage organs) of fairy wrens.
Milked male sea lamprey to collect their sperm.
Took down a rotten monarch chrysalis and it exploded in my hand.
Cleaning up dead gopher tortoises on a very hot day (RIP my study population).
Banding puking shearwaters.
Cleaning out a freezer of dead deer 3 weeks after it stopped working.
Necropsies on bats with moldy Play-Doh like organs from the euthanasia agent.
Performing daily necropsies on nutria.
Digging around in road killed turtles to pull out their eggs for incubation.
Manatee or sea turtle necropsies are even worse than cetacean necropsies.
Dissected an egg bound chameleon to save the babies.
Cut and sawed at smelly old deer to age and get skull caps for hunters.
Torn apart day old dead chicks to feed rehab owls.
Fleshed dead dolphin skulls.
Disassembled a calf and staked it out for golden eagle bait.
Collecting stomach contents from roadkill moose.
Rinsing and sorting otter scat.
Cleaned bison skulls of decaying flesh.
Milked male Atlantic killifish.
Collected the remains of a manatee dead for days in belly deep water.
Projectile eider to the face while banding.
Arctic field camp, hauling out our 4 month old waste in 5 gallon buckets.
De-bowl rats for raptor rehab center.
Blended thousands of beetles and dried them in an oven for accurate weight.
Checking steelhead for coded wire tags. If they had them, I cut off the head and bagged it.
What tips/tricks do you have for fieldwork?
Ask a Biologist Monday 2/28/22
Answers from Biologists:
Always keep extra water and a first aid kit in the car.
A thermos of hot tea nd some fire starters can both make long days in cold weather easier.
Tuck pencils in your hair so you don’t lose them when filling out data sheet.
At remote points, do everything in the same order so it’s harder to forget steps or equipment.
Find North. Knowing your compass directions is so helpful.
Always put on sunscreen and bring it with you, no matter what.
Don’t set your things on top of the work truck. You’ll drive away without noticing.
Have a plan. Someone should expect to hear from you.
Thick and long nitrile milking gloves outperform usual lab gloves.
If you live around snakes, save the contact info to the nearest snake bite treatment hospital.
Always take photos of data sheets in case you lose them.
Bring extra pencils and batteries for GPS, trail cams. etc.
Have educational brochures on hand to help explain rules/management practices to the public.
Have an extra water bottle or liquid IV in the truck for the drive home.
Tie your laces around your pant legs to prevent critters from crawling up.
If you don’t have flagging, use shears to (gently) cut foliage along the trail. The cut marks can help guide you out.
Invest in a good multi-tool.
For radio telemetry, always leave the radio in the vehicle, always check behind you before leaving, being water even if you’re not going far.
Know when to call for help. Digging yourself in deeper helps nobody.
Have a few pepto bismol tablets in your pack for when your stomach disagrees.
Always have a safety/check-in plan in place so colleagues know when to expect you.
A pocket-sized rite in the rain notebook is invaluable.
No matter the weather, always pack rain gear and warm layers.
Always bring a pair of driving shoes. Nothing is worse than driving back in wet shoes.
Always have a shovel in your vehicle in case you get stuck.
Tie your GPS, phone, etc. to your person, with flagging so you don’t lose it.
Put flagging tape on everything.
Always carry a bandana, to use as a tissue, sweatband, pouch, tourniquet, etc.
Reverse your headlamp batteries until you need to use it so it doesn’t turn on in your pack.
Leave a nalgene on the floor of your truck while you’re out so the water will stay cooler on hot days.
Carry a card in your wallet stating that you work with wildlife in case you end up in a hospital.
Extra pair of socks in the backpack. Fresh socks are a game changer.
Always carry duct tape and zip ties. They can fix most things.
Carry electrolytes in hot weather.
Tie mittens to a string through your jacket.
Bring an extra GPS unit. You never know when the first may die for good.
Have a bag packed with extra socks, shirt, benadryl, charger, tylenol, toilet paper, etc.
Boil your water in the winter and keep it in a thermos.
Invest (or request) good footwear.
Put reflective tape on everything, especially for night work.
Take a GPS point of the trail any time you leave it.
Have a bright phone case and tools.
Label everything and keep a running inventory.
Bring multiple layers, especially in the mountains.
Rubber bands around your clipboard to keep pages from flying away.
Carry any medication with you just in case.
OnX is a lifesaver.
Check pockets in coats and packs before air travel just in case, so you don't lose a Leatherman.
Keep an eye on the sky. Weather apps aren't always accurate in rural areas.
Keep your shirt tucked into your pants and pants tucked into your boots.
In winter, keep some hand warmers in inner coat pockets.
Newspaper in boots soak up water.
Ladies get yourself a pstlye so you can go outdoors without exposing yourself.
Wear dog tags with name, blood type, and emergency contact and a capsule with more info.
Duct tape is a must for me. Good for cactus spines, blisters, broken gear, and more.
Remove your yagi and dangle the wire into burrows for more precise telemetry.
Dry bags/boxes are a lifesaver
Put your wet gloves on the dashboard and turn the dash vents on during breaks.
Always carry zap straps and crazy glue
Carry allergy medication (skin cream/pills). Things in the field can make you react without warning.
Keep emergency toilet paper in your backpack.
Hydro flask full of icy cold beverage in the car is a wonderful way to end your day.
Wrap measuring tapes in fiberglass tape; stops paint from rubbing off
Hide a spare key somewhere on your vehicle.
Always bring toilet paper.
What trainings do you recommend beyond school?
Ask a Biologist Monday 2/21/22
Answers from Biologists:
Conflict mediation training
CPR and first aid
Prescribed burns/wildfire training
Leadership trainings-learning how to be a good supervisor one day
Bystander training
Mental health first aid
Indigenous history and Indigenous consultation training
Venomous snake safety and handling course
Hunter safety/education-learn firearm handling useful for captures and other stakeholder perspectives
Wilderness first aid/Wilderness first responder
Conflict resolution
Swiftwater rescue
Heavy equipment operation
Chainsaw certification
Herbicide applicator’s license
Bird banding
Spanish language training-can really help in many areas of the country
GIS trainings
Basics of hunting and foraging
Seasonal plant ID refreshers
How to understand generational differences in the work place
SCUBA and boat license for Australia-opens up so many opportunities
Diving PADI-if you're in a pinch, NAUI if you have time
How do you deal with rejection?
Ask a Biologist Monday 2/14/22
Answers from Biologists:
I ask them “how can I better myself for opportunities in the future?” Then I work on it.
Feel sad a bit, then look up the amazing work of those who got it and get inspired for the next opportunity.
Call or write to thank them for the opportunity, then ask how you could have done better.
I had a sticker book and gave myself a cute sticker every time I got a rejection.
For me, it means something bigger and better is meant for me later.
Ask them for constructive criticism on my interview and resume/experience.
There are often so many great candidates and the decision can come down to something random.
I cry for a day, then I keep applying for jobs. It’s a numbers game.
Chin up! It doesn’t feel personal when there’s so much great competition.
The job probably wasn’t meant for me. Even with rejection, you may make a great contact. Stay in touch!
Ask what qualifications/experience chosen candidates had and how to improve.
I use it as motivation to try harder and an opportunity to try something else.
I apply expecting to get rejected.
Focus on what went well and how to improve for next time. Rejection doesn’t mean bad!
Just keep cranking out applications for what I want. Eventually something sticks.
I try not to hype up the position and tell minimal people until hired. Less pressure.
If I get a lot of rejections in a row, I take an emotional break for a bit before continuing to apply.
It’s a huge field and there will always be more opportunities. It doesn’t reflect my own skills.
Resilience in rejection makes me unstoppable! How much do you want to keep going?
Remember that it’s normal, was good practice, and gets your name out there. Connections matter!
I try to remember that I’m relatively new at this and keep looking for opportunities to grow.
What classes/skills do you recommend undergrads take/get?
Ask a Biologist Monday 2/7/22
Answers from Biologists:
Science communications
It’s so important to be able to explain your research and work clearly with others.
Basic coding
Wetland delineations
ArcGIS
It’s a huge advantage to be competent in GIS when applying for jobs.
Evolutionary biology
to understand why things are how they are
Business/leadership courses
Helpful to learn how to work in groups and manage budgets
Not enough people know how to work in groups
Research methods
Education classes
Really underrated in our field.
Mechanical/technical skills
chainsaw, pesticide applications, boating, etc.
Basic organization
for equipment and data
Communicating via email
Any field technique courses that give you hands on experience
Human dimensions of Natural Resources Management
Any certifications you can get
Look for things outside of class/school like tracking or Master Naturalist
Try to diversify
Landscape/Map reading
learn to see what the system is saying
Data management/analysis
Technical/scientific writing
Honing these skills helps you be a better communicator, get grants, and saves you tons of time down the road wen writing in grad school or on the job.
Research projects
Wildlife/Environmental policy/law/permittingWi
know the laws and regulations regarding what your work is based on
Botany/Plants
Most federal jobs require 9 hours botany/plant ID to qualify
Statistics/Coding
beyond school stats classes, Datacamp has R courses that teach syntax
Drone flying/remote sensing
Wildlife disease
It’s becoming more and more important
Wilderness First Aid/CPr
these can save a life in the field
Gun safety
Lab experience
Flesh out your electives to meet the requirements for federal jobs and certifications from your respective professional society
Field techniques/surveys
hands on experience
Habitat assessments
DEIJ courses
not everyone experiences fieldwork the same way due to identity
Rural sociology/Human dimensions
Understand why some communities resist conservation efforts
What do you look for in technicians/students you hire?
Ask A Biologist Monday 3/31/22
Answers from Biologists:
Passion, flexibility and ability to be a team player.
Asks thoughtful questions.
Positive attitude, hardworking, ability to learn.
Someone that has a specific skill or two they’d like to gain from the job.
Willingness to ask questions. Makes everything easier on both ends.
Motivated and having field skills (hiking long distances, navigational skills, 4x4 driving, etc.)
Someone who has worked service industry at some point. I know they can talk to landowners.
Adaptability, reliability, great attitude/teamwork skills.
Enthusiasm goes a long way.
Enthusiasm and people skills.
Good work ethic, positive attitude, and problem solving skills.
Adaptability, ability to function in an emergency, willingness to learn.
I actually love being cold-called. It show initiative.
Enthusiasm, curiosity and the ability to collaborate well with others.
Ability to adapt on the fly.
Problem solving, willingness to learn and ask questions, and good work ethic.
Someone who can take direction and criticism. It’s how we learn!
Emphasis on safety in the field and within team dynamics.
GIS and data manipulation.
Grit. Working in the field requires dealing with less than ideal conditions.
Someone proactive who sees what needs to be done without having to be told step by step.
Someone who wants to learn and is excited to be there.
Genuine interest in the work.
What advice do you have for undergrads in this field?
Ask a Biologist Monday 1/24/22
Answers from Biologists:
Don’t be afraid to work away from where you live for the summer. The more you limit your location, the more you limit opportunities.
Communicate with your professors. Mine helped me get into grad school!
Start with anything and everything all of the time, then later specialize.
Try to get an internship or tech position each summer/ (Also fire pays really well and looks good on resumes.)
Ask professors about opportunities. None of my undergrad research were advertised projects.
Prioritize expanding your experiences rather than maintaining a perfect GPA.
Become active in your student or state TWS chapter to network and learn.
Be willing to move across the country for experience.
Don’t burn bridges if you can help it. This field is super small and everyone knows everyone.
Learn about public affairs, law, human behavior, and skills in working with people.
Be okay with and ready to move. Go explore and see what all is out there.
If you can’t move because of circumstances (debt, family, etc.) it’s okay. It’s harder but not impossible to succeed in this field.
Talk to faculty and graduate TAs about research help. They always love to teach.
Join clubs like TWS and AFS.
Be willing to travel for summer jobs. It’s fun and you get to see new places and species.
Participate in sampling, volunteer work, tag along for field work.
Get experience however you can.
Get some sort of GIS experience.
Find a mentor/good friend you can go to for advice.
Go to office hours/ Professors are your best resource for getting experience.
Network. Ask people about their experiences.
Look into Research Education for Undergraduates internships.
Join Doris Duke Conservation Scholars.
Tech tech tech. And don’t be afraid to branch out.
Get any and all experience you can get your hands on. It’s so important after you graduate.
Be persistent. Email multiple times if you don’t get responses. Keep pushing.
If you have an opportunity for farm/agriculture work, do it. I just got an amazing job because I had that.
Be open to different species, environments, and locations.
If you’re planning on grad school, take a higher level stats class and get experience with R.
Network, network, network. Reach out to anyone and everyone.
Don’t give up!
Interact with professors. Introduce yourself. Volunteer or work in their labs.
Make sure you have the correct course work to qualify for federal jobs (opm.gov).
Be open to any experience. It helps you to identify and narrow down your interests.
Try to diversify your knowledge base as much as possible.
Take advantage of on campus resources-library, free journal access, clubs, etc.
Start gaining experience as soon as possible in undergrad.
Be careful going back to the same internship/position for multiple seasons. Branch out.
Diversify. You may end up far from your start and learning an ecosystem as a whole is a disappearing skill.
Don’t go into debt for experience.
It’s okay to turn down a job you’ve accepted if a better opportunity arises.
Make sure you fulfill the course requirements for that OPM job title.
Struggling is okay to an extent and can teach you valuable lessons in the long run.
Build good relationships with professors and grad students in your department.
Ask older biologists what courses they took and which are actually valuable. ID and analysis with certifications!
If you aren’t immediately starting a MS program, apply your BS/BA to consulting.
Take botany classes.
Network! I am more able to help students who reach out to me.
Keep an open mind on how you’ll be successful in the field.
Find someone doing what you want to be doing on LinkedIn and see how they got there.
Talk to professors about getting involved in their lab.
Go to conferences and introduce yourself to everyone.
Be flexible and willing to leave your comfort zone safely.