As an urban wildlife ecologist, I study how animals in cities interact with their habitat and how people interact with their local wildlife.
Critical thinking, boundless enthusiasm, endless curiosity, and perseverance are all important to my career as a scientist.
What can we do to help support strong bird and bee populations in our backyards and city parks?
I use binoculars to study bird behavior. I also use mist nets to safely capture birds. Once I capture a bird, I can tag it and track its survival over the years. To study bees, I place bee bowls in yards. Bee bowls are small plastic cups filled with soapy water which catch bees. I then use a microscope to identify the bees. I also work with citizen scientists, including students, to help with my research.
I discovered that the small choices we make in our yards and parks make a big difference for songbirds and native bees. These small choices include the types of plants we grow in our yards and parks and how we care for those plants.
I became an obsessed birdwatcher in my early 20s. I was fascinated with how birds used different habitats, especially during migration. I wanted to ensure that all people had the same opportunities to experience the wonders of nature. More importantly, becoming a scientist was how I could help with bird conservation.
