Those of you who donated or may become donors will be pleased to meet our most recent California Polytechnic State University Scholarship Biology student, Waverly Davis. Both Bob and I were on a FaceTime call with her last week after she got off work. She’s in her first job as a Wildlife Biologist in Durango, Colorado after graduating on March from CalPoly in March 2019.
Below she’s written up a bit to tell you about herself.
“I first became interested in Ornithology after taking the course offered at Cal Poly. As my first zoology course in my Wildlife Biology major, I was really passionate and excited to learn all about birds. The first time I went bird watching on my own was when I knew I was truly invested in the avian world. After that class, I joined the sensory ecology lab at Cal Poly and am currently a field technician helping to work on one of the lab’s many projects. We are studying the effects of anthropogenic light and noise on avian communities in New Mexico, and so far I’ve been enjoying the work immensely. This is my first job after graduating and I am incredibly excited to be entering the scientific community and continuing work as a biologist afterwards.
My passion going forward into the research world is to study the impacts of human beings on natural communities, whether it be urban sprawl, pollutions, pathogens, or climate change. Although birds have become my first passion as a wildlife biologist, I hope to expand my studies into other animal communities and continue to learn as much as I can about other ecosystems and taxa.
Aside from biology, I enjoy hiking, backpacking, and rock climbing as well as playing music and cooking. My goal is to continue fostering a life in the outdoors through both work as a field biologist and through my hobbies.
Thank you to everyone and anyone who contributed to the Pacific Coast Peregrine Watch. The educational contribution was wholeheartedly appreciated. Best, Waverly “
In our phone call, we picked up her enthusiasm and appreciation for the scholarship that you contributed. She’d “been aware of Bob and his knowledge of the peregrines at Morro Rock” and had “heard about him and his work from fellow colleagues. It’s so wonderful what you guys are doing and I admire Bob’s dedication with the peregrines.”
We need many more people in the world just like Waverly. Our planet is desperately in need of close attention by scientists who will ultimately then educate us. Thank you, Waverly!
Happy trails, Bob and Heather
