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Fish and Wildlife Sciences
Experiential Learning Opportunities Flourishing
During their time at the University of Idaho, every Fish and Wildlife Sciences undergraduate gains specialized hands-on experience through summer internships and independent research. Faculty and our partners are excited to make experiential learning accessible to ensure graduates are equipped with the skills, knowledge and passion for meaningful careers. In the summer 2021, 36 students conducted internships with 20 different organizations including the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, US Fish and Wildlife Service, US Army Corps of Engineers, Nez Perce Tribe, Sitka Tribe, Santa Anna Zoo, Coastal Marine Education & Research Academy, and North Dakota Game and Fish Department. The FWS department also co-sponsored paid internships with the USFWS Mexican Wolf Recovery Program, the WDFW and USFWS Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit Recovery Program, IDFG deer calf survival project, WDFW Blue Mountains Wildlife Area Complex and the U of I Hagerman Fish Culture Experiment Station. Through the Berklund and Gratson Fellowships, senior Lydia Druin evaluated genetic diversity and relatedness among jaguar populations in Costa Rica, while junior Sean Elison studied parentage and relatedness of Mexican wolf packs. The Hungerford Fellowship enabled senior Delaney Snaadt to monitor fecal DNA of the endangered Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit, while the Summer Authentic Research Experiences of the state-wide Genes by Environment program (NSF-EPSCOR GEM3) supported seven additional students as they conducted critical research on trout and sagebrush.
Researchers Explore Climate, Human and Wildlife Interactions on Rangelands
U of I researchers will monitor six sites throughout a five-year project to learn how drought affects vegetation, and how resulting changes impact elk, deer and livestock, as well as their interactions with predators. “We’ll look at the interactions between wolves and drought and how those affect wild ungulate populations, as well as livestock and the people who live there,” said Sophie Gilbert, assistant professor of wildlife ecology and management. The research also seeks to determine how decision-makers respond to these multiple sources of stress, and how wildlife and plant forecasting tools — resulting from the project — are received and used by ranchers and wildlife managers. The study will examine the interconnectedness of the inhabitants of western rangelands, including humans, plants and animals, in the face of a changing climate and other stressors, Gilbert said. “Stereotypical stories about the West are told with heroes and villains, where some animals may be considered good or bad, and some may be saviors or foes,” Gilbert said. “We want to go beyond that, to learn how interconnected those things are and how all wildlife comes with costs and benefits to humans that share these landscapes.” The researchers will use camera traps to collect images of animals in the study area, and work with a film crew to document the research and produce a documentary film to share with the public. Chloe Wardropper, assistant professor of human dimensions of ecosystem management, said researchers will share findings, footage and images from the camera traps in an effort to engage residents in throughout the study area. Volunteer citizen scientists will be able to participate online. “Outcomes of this project include a better understanding of how climate and carnivore risks affect human decision-making, and how humans impact rangeland food webs by raising livestock and altering wildlife behavior and abundance,” Gilbert said. “It could lead to coexistence between humans and wildlife in changing environments.”
By Ralph Bartholdt, UCM, Fall 2021.
Visit uidaho.edu/cnr/departments/fish-and-wildlife-sciences
Sacha Wells filming and interacting with Nez Perce members.
Sharing Stories of Connectivity
During her first year at the University of Idaho, Sacha Wells (Ecology and Conservation Biology ‘21) realized she could use storytelling to bring ecology to life. Wells came to U of I intent on studying ecology. As she pursued her degree, however, she was enamored with storytelling through filmmaking. “Storytelling is such a powerful tool,” Wells said. “Combining image and sound into a film allows stories to be shared with anyone from anywhere.” “As I started looking for a job, the Discover Your Northwest position was exactly what I wanted,” she said. Discover Your Northwest is a nonprofit focused on providing people with access to public lands and environmental stewardship education. They do work in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Northern California. Colleen Mathisen, Discover Your Northwest Lolo Pass branch manager, worked with Wells and a team of artists to tell the story of the Nez Perce Tribe’s artistic traditions and connection with their land.
Sharing stories like this supports local artists and Nez Perce tourism. The film Wells helped create is used to draw in visitors to Idaho. It is shared locally and throughout the world. Through interviews with Tribal members, Wells heard first-hand the importance of sharing Native American stories. “Talking to the Nez Perce people was empowering,” Wells said. “The best way we can learn how to care for the earth is through listening to them.” The film focused on the ways creative pieces such as beadwork made by the Nez Perce people show their culture and stories. It highlights the ways in which creativity communicates information about the creator. Creative works guide the way the Tribe cares for the environment around them. The skills and messages behind each creative process is passed down through each generation. “Our goal of the film was to lift up the voices of Native American tribe members,” said Wells. “My role was facilitating their ability to tell stories about the Nez Perce cultural and artistic expression.”
By Katy Wicks, UCM, May 2021.
