Feb 24
Addressing Conservation’s Data Problem
We spend substantial resources conserving rare wildlife and fish species around the world. However, our tools to evaluate their habitat requirements and population dynamics often fall short of what we need to implement effective conservation programs. Bridging the gap between information and action requires finding ways to work with messy and sparse data, integrating decision- and information-frameworks and acknowledging uncertainty. In this talk, I’ll discuss my work developing monitoring strategies for Species of Information Need and Conservation Concern in Montana (cool critters like Great Grey Owls and Black Swifts!) and integrating information and decision tools to support wildlife conservation programs. I’ll also explain why the skills you’re building as a liberal arts student set you up to help solve some of these problems.