Sky Bischoff-Mattson

Wildlife Policy, Conservation, Protected Areas, International Policy, Wildlife/Conservation Management

Master of Environmental Management, May 2019

Nicholas School of the Environment

Duke University, Durham, NC

Ecosystem Science and Conservation

 

Bachelor of Arts, May 2010

Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME 

Majors: Biology and French

Refuge Biology Volunteer, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Midway Atoll, NWHI

Ensure population health and survival of local birds, including albatross and endangered Laysan Ducks, by monitoring and mitigation work. Designed and built a database to streamline Laysan duck re-sights and monitoring. Planted native species and removed invasives as part of ongoing ecological restoration.  Mar’17-Aug’17

 

Pika Survey Technician, US Geological Survey, MT, WA, OR, ID 

Surveyed for pika presence to monitor population and document the effects of climate change on a climate-sensitive species. June’16-Oct’16

 

Meerkat Project Manager, Kalahari Meerkat Project, Kalahari Desert, RSA 

Scheduled, managed, and provided support for 10-15 volunteers over 2 years. Organized and ran multiple experiments for post-doctoral researchers, and liaised & collaborated with other international projects, and researchers on site (University of Zurich, Duke University, Molerat Research Project); extracted and manipulated data for post-docs. Performed daily captures of meerkats involving: anesthesia, sampling, morphometric measurements, and ultrasound scans (as needed) to further understanding of their biology. Hosted and ran weekly staff meetings, provided weekly and monthly reports, including accident reports, to facilitate communication with upper management (in the UK). Developed secondary databases to help with data collection, refined primary database by creating data check queries in SQL & VBA, improved site maps with QGIS. Aug’13-Sep’15

 

Barn Owl Research Assistant, University of Illinois, Belknap, IL 

Monitored nest boxes and assisted with prototype playback experiments of barn owl calls in order to develop an accurate population estimate of a state-endangered bird. Interacted with INHS staff, property owners at sites, and general public. Apr’13-Aug’13

 

Research Volunteer, Kalahari Meerkat Project, Kalahari Desert, RSA 

Ran communal food affairs for research site, purchasing food for 20+ staff and volunteers, organizing food storage, financial accounting, and communicating with suppliers. Collected behavioral & weight data on meerkats to better understand their life history and social interactions. Jan’12-Jan’13