duckDNA
During my time at Ducks Unlimited's headquarters I have managed the duckDNA project's participant communication and social media profiles where I communicated the cutting edge genetic science we are doing with our hunter participants and to the public through weekly social media posts on Facebook and Instagram as well as responding to emails, phone calls, direct messages, and comments from people curious about the project.
American Kestrels in Northeast Arkansas: Nest Box Use and Effects on Agricultural Pests
I had the opportunity to speak at the Central Arkansas Audubon Society’s August series, where I presented my master’s research on American Kestrels in agricultural systems. My talk focused on the value of nest box programs, showing how they support kestrel populations while also helping landowners by reducing potential crop pests.
Arkansas' State Butterfly: The Diana Fritillary
In celebration of Pollinator Week 2023, another graduate student and I led a presentation and bug walk at Crowley's Ridge Nature Center focused on Arkansas' state butterfly, the endangered Diana Fritillary to raise awareness and support conservation practices that members of the public can engage with.
Structures for Wildlife
In March 2023, I presented on providing artificial structures for birds as part of the Pollinator Partnership's presentation on providing structures for wildlife. I educated the public on the need and benefits of providing structures for birds and provided them with resources on how to provide appropriate structures on their own land. This presentation had an audience of 400 international attendees.
Mackinaw Straits Raptor Watch Blog
While I was the fall waterfowl migration counter for the Mackinaw Straits Raptor Watch conducting daily bird counts on the tip of the mit in Michigan I wrote weekly blog posts on their website sharing stories from the week and updating readers on the progress of migration. I also completed daily eBird lists so users could see my totals and for our data to be included in eBird. I conducted the count at two different locations on either side of the Mackinaw Bridge where I frequently talked with passersby telling them about the count and why it is important to keep record of bird movements. Many of them did not realize that the Straits of Mackinaw was a major migration corridor not just for waterfowl but also for raptors.
"Why I Pay Attention to Invasive Species"
For the Pennsylvania iMapInvasives 2021 Winter newsletter, I wrote an article sharing my motivations and experiences documenting invasive species in Pennsylvania and using iMapInvasives. I also shared the story of how I began using iMapInvasives when I discovered a colony of the high-priority invasive Water Fringe (Nymphoides peltata) while collecting plant specimens for my aquatic botany class. I realized this invasive was not reported yet in Carbon County and that motivated me to report their presence. I hope that I inspired others to look more closely at the wild organisms around them and realize that they can take action through using iMapInvasives.
