Third Guest Blog on the Verble Fire Ecology Lab Page

I was recently asked to submit a third guest blog for the Verble Fire Ecology Lab page, which can now be seen on the "Verble Fire Ecology Lab "News and Updates" page!

Please Help My Fiance Get New Prosthetic Legs

About a year and a half ago my fiance contracted a blood infection of Streptococcus and ended up losing both of her legs below the knees and parts of five of her fingers.  It is now very hard for her to walk on rough and uneven terrain; making it very difficult for her to get around outdoors and to follow her dream of pursuing a graduate degree in marine biology.  Therefore, she is in need of a new pair of prosthetic legs with 'smart' ankles that respond to the terrain, making it easier for her to walk on difficult terrain.  Her insurance company won't cover them and we cannot afford them on our own.  Please visit the link "Help Jessica Get New Prosthetic Legs And Back Outdoors" to see her story and to donate to help her obtain new legs.

Thank you!
Nick

Second Guest Blog on the Verble Fire Ecology Lab Page

I was recently asked to submit a second guest blog for the Verble Fire Ecology Lab page, which can now be seen on the Verble Fire Ecology Lab "News and Updates" page!

My First Bear Capture!

Last night we were able to join Sarah Kindschuh, a graduate student at New Mexico State University, on a bear capture.  The bear was captured by a snare trap at an elk carcass.  He was then tranquilized so that he could be weighed, measured, and his failed GPS collar could be replaced.  

(C) Nick Goforth 2013

(C) Nick Goforth 2013

(C) Nick Goforth 2013

(C) Nick Goforth 2013

(C) Nick Goforth 2013

(C) Nick Goforth 2013

(C) Nick Goforth 2013

(C) Nick Goforth 2013

"Bat Kiting"

In an attempt to create a call reference library for the bat species that are present in my study area, we have been mist netting bats and using a method known as "bat kiting" to collect reference calls.  In this method, a length of elastic cord is loosely tied around a bat's neck and the individual is allowed to fly 'freely' while their echolocation calls are recorded.  Here is a video of us "kiting" a bat!

  

Saw a Badger Today!

I saw my first badger today while working my sites on the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

(C) Nick Goforth 2013

(C) Nick Goforth 2013

(C) Nick Goforth 2013

Rainforest Tour at the Tirimbina Biological Reserve!

While attending IBRC/NASBR in Costa Rica we were able to go on a rainforest tour at the Tirimbina Biological Reserve.  We saw lots of beautiful and amazing flora and fauna including two species of bats, Tent-making bats and Honduran white bats!!

(C) Nick Goforth 2013

(C) Nick Goforth 2013

Attended the 2013 IBRC/NASBR Conference in San Jose, Costa Rica!

I just attended the 2013 joint meeting of the International Bat Research Conference (IBRC) and the North American Symposium on Bat Research (NASBR) in San Jose, Costa Rica at the Wyndham San Jose Herradura Hotel and Convention Center.  It was the largest meeting of bat biologists to date!  I was able to see several very interesting presentations on bat research being conducted all over the world and over a wide variety of topics.  Topics included acoustics, behavior, evolution, genetics, pathogens and parasites, the effects of windmills, and conservation.  Several students from Texas Tech University and one faculty member were also able to attend the meeting.  I am looking forward to next years meeting in Albany, New York and hope to be able to present some preliminary results from my study!

(http://www.ibrc2013.com/)

Guest Blog on the Verble Fire Ecology Lab Page

I was recently asked to submit a guest blog for the Verble Fire Ecology Lab page, which can now be seen on the Verble Fire Ecology Lab "News and Updates" page!  My guest blog was also mentioned on the Wildfire Today "Fire Updates" pages!

Las Conchas and Thompson Ridge Wildfires Burn Severity Map

Here's a burn severity map of the Las Conchas and Thompson Ridge Wildfires that are part of my study.  The small fire on the left is the Thompson Ridge Wildfire (2013) and the large fire on the right is the Las Conchas Wildfire (2011).

(https://www.facebook.com/ThompsonRdgFire)

Arrived at my field site!

Yesterday morning I arrived at my field site, and within 4 hours, the Thompson Ridge Fire started just West of my Las Conchas Wildfire study sites, and just North of where I am staying.  I'm hoping that the Santa Fe National Forest remains open to the public, and that the Valles Caldera National Preserve reopens before I am ready to begin surveying my Las Conchas study sites!

(C) Nick Goforth 2013

Happy Earth Day

Bat Conservation International, batcon.org

Western Bat Working Group Biennial Meeting

I recently attended the Western Bat Working Group Biennial Meeting from April 1-4 at the Inn at Loretto in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  The main focus of the meeting was to access the status of and threats against western bat species in the eight western Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs).  I had a lot of fun at the meeting and in beautiful Santa Fe, and was able to meet several interesting people!

WBWG (http://www.wbwg.org/business/biennialmeetings/2013/images/2013logosm.jpg)

Awarded a Seat in the Wildlife Acoustics Bat Detector Training Course!

I was awarded a seat in the Wildlife Acoustics Bat Detector Training Course by the Bob Berry Scholarship Fund.  The three day course will take place April 4-6 after the Western Bat Working Group meeting in Santa Fe, NM.  I would like to thank the Bob Berry Scholarship Fund for this opportunity!