Archived Videos
Interactions between Stress Hormones and Blood Parasites along Elevation GradientsViridiana Martinez |
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Borderlands Research Institute Grassland Birds ProjectAlex Chavez |
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Learn Here, Volunteer Here, Change HereMary Pearl Meuth |
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Managing Aquatic Vegetation for WaterfowlDr. Todd Sink |
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Wildlife and Working Lands panel discussionRomey Swanson, Patrick Zuberbueler, Bryan Calk, Dr. John Tomecek |
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Meet the Speakers
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Viridiana Martinez is a third-year PhD student in the Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology at Texas A&M University. Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Viridiana became interested in avian research as an undergraduate involved in summer research investigating biomagnification of methyl mercury in Loggerhead Shrikes on Antelope Island located on the Great Salt Lake. Her research interests include physiology, immunology, disease ecology, and endocrinology.Favorite local bird: Orchard Oriole I am a fairly new bird enthusiast, and definitely not an expert when it comes to birding, but I am excited to share my research with birders and “meet” other researchers and birders! |
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Alejandro Chávez Treviño is a graduate student in the Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross State University researching grassland bird abundance on managed ranches in West Texas. He graduated from Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León in Mexico in 2016 and completed his undergraduate thesis on grassland bird genetic diversity. That research took him to remote grasslands in Mexico and was presented at conferences in Mexico and the U.S. After graduation, Alex worked as a field technician in Chihuahua and in Montana, collecting winter survival data as well as breeding success data for grassland birds. He then worked as a volunteer at Thunder Cape Bird Observatory in Canada before accepting a position at Sul Ross.Favorite local bird: Scissor-tailed Flycatcher
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Mary Pearl Meuth is the Assistant State Coordinator of the Texas Master Naturalist Program, a partnership program sponsored by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, whose mission is to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the State of Texas. Mary Pearl also serves on several boards including the Texas Wildlife Association, Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society and Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo’s Ranching & Wildlife Committee.Favorite local bird: Painted Bunting – I just love all the colors!
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Dr. Todd Sink earned his Bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Aquatic Science from Purdue University, and his PhD in Natural Resources, specializing in fish stress and disease physiology, from the University of Tennessee. After working as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Tennessee and the University of Arkansas, he began his current position as an Associate Department Head and Associate Professor in the Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Sciences at Texas A&M University (TAMU). Dr. Sink is also an Aquaculture Extension Specialist at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Director of the TAMU Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory, which is the only fish disease pathology and waterborne toxin testing laboratory in the state of Texas. He is currently working on a number of projects, including determining viable methods of sex reversal in female Southern flounder and creation of gynogentic clones of Southern flounder. In addition, Dr. Sink is evaluating the safety, gross pathology, and efficacy of a novel slow-release spawning aid, Ovaplant-L®, in marine finfish reproduction including cobia.Favorite local bird: Scissor-tailed flycatcherFavorite birding spot: Stuttgart, ArkansasFavorite local food: FajitasRecommended local must-see: Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic SiteI might be a “fish guy,” but I was super excited to explore this area of west Texas in person and enjoy the chance to go birding. My talk will connect birds and fish – water connects all life! Landowners who have ponds and lakes have a great opportunity and responsibility to be part of this ecosystem. |
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Bryan Calk, a birder since age 10, is a professional birding and nature tour guide for NatureScape Tours. He spent his formative years all across Texas, but currently resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Bryan has been with us since the beginning – his patient guidance and valuable insights have helped us grow!Favorite “local” bird: Common PauraqueFavorite birding spot: Santa Ana NWRFavorite food: PieRecommended “local” must-see: Big Bend National Park |
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Romey Swanson is Director of Conservation Strategy for Audubon TX, a division of Audubon National, and has been birding for 9 years. He got his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Texas State University in Wildlife Biology.Favorite local bird: Hutton’s Vireo, Black-capped Vireo, and Golden-cheeked WarblerFavorite birding spot: Devils River State Natural Area, Lost Maples State Natural Area, and Big Thicket National Preserve – Turkey Creek UnitFavorite local food: MexicanRecommended local must-see: Guadalupe Mountains National Park |
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Dr. John Tomeček grew up in various places around Central Texas, as his family owned and worked ranch lands in 7 counties. He has spent time outdoors all over the world hiking, fishing, hunting, birding, and generally enjoying the natural scenery of the world. In his professional life, Dr. Tomeček is an Assistant Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Most of his work focuses on wildlife damage and disease, and the management of those things, so he spends an awful lot of time thinking about wild carnivores and how cool they are! Dr. Tomeček lives in Taylor, TX with his wife, Alexandra, his dog, Max, and two ornery cow horses (Shiner and Bueno). He spends part of his working time on the Stiles Farm Foundation in Thrall, TX, where he has inititated some tallgrass prairie restoration efforts. The farm is already fortunate to have some grassland birds (including northern bobwhites, dickcissels, burrowing owls, and loggerhead shrikes), and Dr. Tomeček can’t wait to see what happens when we bring the prairie back!Favorite local bird: Elf Owl (THE COOLEST OF THEM ALL!)Favorite birding spot: Lower Rio Grande ValleyFavorite local food: ChilaquilesRecommended local must-see: Devils River, The Nature Conservancy Independence Creek Preserve, Shafter Ghost TownI love how birding is an activity that can draw together and connect people from all different regions, backgrounds, walks of life, and interests. I’m excited to see how this virtual seminar comes together and the “neatness” of using a digital interface to learn, share, observe, and grow! |
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Patrick ZuberbuelerIn 1864, Swiss-born John Zuberbueler left home at the age of 18. With the Civil War raging in America, he traveled to South America, Colorado, New Mexico, and Mexico finally settling in Texas in 1898. He acquired property west of the Pecos River and later added land east of the River, some of which included present-day Seminole Canyon State Historical Park.Upon John’s retirement, his son Emil became the sole proprietor of some 30,000 acres. Emil also homesteaded land with his wife Louisa. They raised 6 children, the first of whom were toddlers at the time of great unrest when Pancho Villa and his villainous gang were raiding ranches.Today, the ranch is owned and operated by fourth- and fifth-generation members of the Zuberbueler family. The Rambouillet sheep and Angora goats seen grazing on the rolling hills and rugged canyons are of the bloodline of livestock brought here in the early 1900s. |