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•Associate Head, Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba, 2012-2013, 2014-present
•Professor, Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba, 2016-present
•Associate Professor, Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba, 2011-2016
•Assistant Professor, Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba, 2005-2011
•Post-doctoral fellowship in Landscape Ecology, University of Manitoba, 2004-2005
•Ph.D. in Conservation Biology, University of Alberta, 1999-2004
•M.Sc. in Zoology, University of Guelph, 1995-1998
•Specialized Honours B.Sc. in Wildlife Biology, University of Guelph, 1991-1995
•2010 Outstanding Paper in Landscape Ecology Award, Smith, Koper, Francis, and Fahrig “Confronting collinearity: comparing methods for disentangling effects of habitat loss and fragmentation”, US Chapter of the International Association for Landscape Ecology
•Top 10 Most Read Papers in Methods in Ecology and Evolution, August 2010, Barnett, Koper, Dobson, Manseau, and Schmiegelow. “Selecting the correct variance-covariance structure for longitudinal data in ecology: a comparison of Akaike, quasi-information and deviance information criteria”
•Honorable Mention, 2008 Outstanding Paper in Landscape Ecology Award for “Residuals cannot distinguish between ecological effects of habitat amount and fragmentation: implications for the debate”, US Chapter of the International Association for Landscape Ecology
•Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2004-2005
•John and Patricia Schlosser Environment Scholarship, 2003-2004
•Richard H.G. Bonnycastle Graduate Fellowship, 2001-2004
•Izaak Walton Killam Memorial Scholarship, 2001-2003
•Bill Shostak Wildlife Award, 2000-2001; 2002-2003
•Margaret Brown Award in Environmental Studies and Wildlife Resources, 2002-2003
•Ralph Steinhauer Award of Distinction, 2001-2002
•Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council PGS-B Scholarship, 1999-2001
•Walter H. Johns Graduate Fellowship, 1999-2001
•University of Guelph Graduate Scholarship, 1995-1997
•Canada Scholarship, 1991-1995
•Please see presentation awards on attached list of publications
(Assistant Professor-Professor, Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba, 2005-present)
July 2005 to present
Landscape ecology of birds and prairie ecosystems
In partnership with: Manitoba Conservation, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Environment Canada, Manitoba Hydro, NSERC
•Initiated the first study of the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on tall-grass prairie birds in Canada
•Demonstrated dramatic declines in abundance and extent of tall-grass prairie ecosystems over most recent two decades
•Evaluating the relative importance of landscape (e.g., matrix type, patch size) and local (e.g., vegetation structure and composition) habitat characteristics, and habitat management (e.g., grazing system, prescribed and natural burns) on habitat selection by prairie songbirds
•Evaluating the role of avian behavioural responses to prairie fragmentation
•Evaluated nonlinear effects of edge avoidance on regional habitat suitability for Sprague’s pipits, a threatened grassland-specialist songbird, and evaluating proximate and ultimate mechanisms that lead to edge avoidance by this species
•Tall-grass prairie projects are located within 120 km of Winnipeg; mixed-grass prairie projects are located in south-west Manitoba and Alberta
Adaptive management of cattle for promoting biodiversity
In partnership with: Parks Canada, Environment Canada, World Wildlife Fund, NSERC
•Designed and coordinated a large-scale, long-term (12 year) adaptive management grazing experiment in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan, to determine effects of habitat disturbance (cattle grazing intensity and its interaction with fire), on vegetation heterogeneity, avian diversity, insect abundance and diversity, and avian nesting success
•This experiment has a number of unique features, relative to all previous large-scale grazing experiments in North American prairies, including:
•The largest pastures (300 ha), required for understanding effects of cattle foraging behaviour on habitat heterogeneity
•Conducted in an area ungrazed by cattle for 15 years
•The only study to incorporate a BACI design or pre-grazing sampling period (2006-2007), necessary to understand species distributions and clustering independent of grazing management
•The most grazing intensities, required for understanding nonlinear responses to grazing intensity
•900 ha of ungrazed controls, which is 30 x more than any previous experiment; necessary for understanding effects of grazing on songbirds and nest predators, many of which are sensitive to habitat patch area
Effects of oil and shallow gas extraction on prairie songbirds
In partnership with: Cenovus Energy
•Conducting a large-scale study of effects of oil and shallow gas development intensity on nesting success, diversity and density of prairie songbirds in Alberta
•Evaluating effects of oil and shallow gas development on prairie songbird population trends and changes in productivity over a 10-year development period
•Designed novel infrastructure to conduct large-scale manipulative experiment to evaluate relative impacts of the presence of and noise from infrastructure on grassland birds
•Evaluating effects of anthropogenic noise on communication in songbirds
Adaptive management of wetlands for promoting biodiversity
In partnership with: Ducks Unlimited Canada
•Supervising avian component of a large-scale, adaptive wetland management experiment to evaluate the importance of water depth on vegetation structure and composition, ducks, waterbirds, and muskrats in the boreal forest of Manitoba
Ecological methodology, study design and statistics (selected recent projects)
In partnership with: NSERC, Carleton University, Queensland University of Technology, University of Alberta, Parks Canada, Environment Canada
•Demonstrated that the most commonly used statistical method for disentangling effects of habitat amount and fragmentation is strongly biased (see awards, above; associated with Landscape Ecology project)
•Developed novel infrastructure for disentangling effects of noise from effects of presence of infrastructure
•Evaluating effects of anthropogenic noise on detectability of grassland birds
•Assessing various methods for accounting for unequal detectability of grassland birds
•Evaluated alternatives for distinguishing relative effects of habitat amount and fragmentation
•Developed a novel method for a-priori power analyses using a combination of simulated and empirical data, to evaluate the relative power of continuous versus categorical designs for large scale experiments (associated with Adaptive Management of Cattle project)
•Developing innovative approaches to the analysis of ecological radiotelemetry data through the development of resource selection functions using generalized estimating equations and generalized linear mixed-effects models (associated with Woodland Caribou project)
•Comparing among information criteria for selecting the optimal correlation structure for modeling clustered or longitudinal ecological data
Landscape Modeling and Conservation of Woodland Caribou(Postdoctoral Fellowship & ongoing research)
In partnership with: Parks Canada, Manitoba Conservation, University of Manitoba
July 2004 to June 2005
•Evaluating effects of habitat type and spatial distribution on boreal woodland caribou
•Assessing effects of forestry activities on woodland caribou land use patterns
•Developing new analytical approaches (see above)
Songbird and Duck Landscape Ecology Research Project (Ph.D.)
In partnership with: Ducks Unlimited Canada, Institute for Wetland and Waterfowl Research, North American Waterfowl Management Plan, Antelope Creek Habitat Development Association, Environment Canada, Alberta Sport, Parks, Recreation and Wildlife Foundation, Government of Alberta, University of Alberta
September 1999 to June 2004
•Designed and implemented large-scale (111x125 km) landscape ecology study evaluating effectiveness and efficiency of using surrogate/indicator species in conservation planning for native prairies and wetlands
•Compared effects of both habitat management and landscape context on waterfowl, shorebird, and songbird abundance, diversity, and nest success
•Managed and analyzed large quantities of data using GIS and advanced statistical analysis
•Conceptualized and developed proposals, and managed budgets of up to $100,000 per annum
•Recruited, trained and supervised 6-7 research assistants, including project managers, annually
•Developed partnerships and collaborated with land managers, private landowners, non-governmental organizations and government
Fraction-specific Toxicity of Crude Oil to Terrestrial Organisms
In partnership with: ESG International Inc., Environment Canada, Energy Research Advisory Committee of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, The Panel on Energy Research and Development, Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy, University of Guelph, Aquaterra Environmental
August 1998 to August 1999 Scientist and Project Manager
•Responsible for supervising technicians, managing budget and laboratory, performing toxicity tests using plants, earthworms and springtails, and data management, analysis and reporting.
•Managed and coordinated a research program encompassing the above, and 3 other research projects: (1) development of test methods for Environment Canada, (2) toxicity of motor gasoline to terrestrial organisms, and (3) toxicity of fraction surrogates to terrestrial organisms.
June 1997 to February 1998Scientist
•Developed an innovative statistical approach for determining the effects of soil contamination on plant growth using nonlinear regression models, in collaboration with statisticians and toxicologists; it is now the required methodology for all new Environment Canada soil toxicity tests
•Applied this method to analyzing laboratory growth of native and agricultural plants
•Wrote refereed journal article and reports, and designed scientific posters
•Performed lab work such as isolating, measuring and caring for earthworms and plants used in bioassays; determining pH and conductivity of soils
Environmental Constraints on Growth of Painted Turtles in Northern Climates (M.Sc.)
In partnership with: Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Wildlife Research Station of Algonquin Park, University of Guelph
May 1995 to January 1998
•Designed and implemented field and lab research and analysis, which determined the relative effects of environmental conditions on growth of painted turtles in northern climates
•Determined the effects of failing to meet the assumptions of mark-recapture population size estimation techniques on the accuracy of population size estimates
•Co-discovered the first evidence of a mutualistic relationship between two reptile species
•Evaluated the accuracy and precision of a common method of determining age of wild turtles
•Managed one year of a long term study regarding the reproductive ecology of painted turtles and snapping turtles; supervised research assistant, collected and managed data
•Collected field data for wood turtles, spotted salamanders, and rodents
•Supervised 18 volunteers and 1 research assistant
Instructor (Assistant,Associate Professor & Professor), Ecological Principles (Dimensions) of Resource and Environmental Management
Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba, 2005 to present
•Developed and presented graduate-level course aimed towards students both with and without academic backgrounds in ecology
•Designed course format, lectures, assignments, exams to address needs and interests of students both with and without ecological experience
•Marked essays, presentations, exams
Instructor (Assistant, Associate Professor & Professor), Biodiversity: Conservation Biology and Biodiversity Management
Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba, 2006 to present
•Developed and presented graduate-level course in conservation biology and management of biodiversity. The course emphasizes a strong ecological foundation for understanding conservation, complemented by associated lectures on how history, economics, and politics influence species conservation.
•Designed course format, lectures, assignments, exams; marked essays, presentations, exams
Instructor (Associate Professor & Professor), Conservation and Sustainable Tourism of Grenada
Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba, 2014
•Designed and introduced course in conservation, sustainable tourism, and agrotourism in Grenada
•Lectures and presentations given in Winnipeg and Grenada
•Developed and presented lectures, field trips, and assignments
Instructor (Assistant, Associate Professor & Professor), Study Design and Quantitative methods for Environmental and Resource Management
Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba, 2005 to present
•Designed and introduced course in environmental study design and sampling design, and basic and intermediate analyses including power analysis, regression, introduction to generalized linear models, and special interest topics such as analysis of nesting success data
•Developed and presented lectures, labs and assignments
Instructor (Assistant, Associate Professor & Professor), Numerous graduate-level readings and projects courses (selected)
Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba, 2005 to present
•Avian ecology
•Boreal ecology and management
•Statistics: resource selection functions
•Advanced quantitative analysis: generalized estimating equations and mixed-effects models
Sessional Instructor, Ecological Principles of Resource and Environmental Management
Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba, 2004
•Co-developed and co-presented graduate-level course
•Co-designed course format, lectures, assignments, exams; marked essays, presentations, exams
Teaching Assistant, Principles of Managing Natural Diversity
Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, 2001
•Prepared and supervised seminars; marked essays, presentations and academic posters
Teaching Assistant, Mammalogy
Department of Zoology, University of Guelph, 1997
•Developed and presented lab lectures, supervised labs
•Designed, supervised and marked exams, marked essays
Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Zoology
Department of Zoology, University of Guelph, 1996
•Presented laboratory material and supervised labs, marked tests and exams
Teaching Assistant, Community Ecology
Department of Zoology, University of Guelph, 1996
•Supervised seminars, chaired discussions, marked essays
Natural Resources Institute, University of Manitoba, 2005
•Supervisor of more than 40MNRM graduate students, 2005-present
•Co-supervisor/Supervisor of 3 PhD students, 2006-present
•Supervisor of 2 post-doctoral fellows, 2012-present
•Co-supervisor of post-doctoral Visiting Fellow at Parks Canada (Darcy Henderson), 2005-2006
•Students have been highly successful in obtaining awards under my supervision, including Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth and Resources Best Masters Thesis Prize, University of Manitoba Graduate Fellowship, Manitoba Graduate Scholarship, NSERC, Ghostpine Environmental Award (Mozel),Saskatchewan Environment Resources Management award, 1st place student conference presentations,NRI provincial grantand others
•Chaired numerous graduate thesis defenses
•Membership on numerous graduate student thesis committees, 2005-present
•Supervised discussions and presented lectures to student groups, focused on study design and statistics, power analysis, grammar and punctuation for academic writing, and plagiarism, 2005-present
University of Alberta, Storm Water Management Pond Bio-monitoring Project
In partnership with: University of Alberta Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society, The Wildlife Society, Dundee Development Corporation
April 2000 to June 2004
•Coordinated and supervised a long term undergraduate student research project evaluating the ecological value of an urban storm water management pond
•Supervised and advised students who designed the study, collected data, prepared reports
•Supervised consulting projects in which students developed interpretive pamphlets and signs describing the ecological impacts of the management pond
•Supervised academic poster design by students
•Associate Editor, Wildlife Society Bulletin, 2011 to present
•Associate Editor, Condor: Ornithological Applications, 2016 to present
•Expert reviewer, 2015, United States Geological Survey Fundamental Sciences Practices peer review process
•Subject Matter Expert (mountain plover, long-billed curlew, Sprague’s pipit, chestnut-collared longspur, and McCown’s longspur), Invited, Fish and Wildlife Branch, Ministry of Environment, Government of Saskatchewan
•Editor,Special Feature on Grassland Bird Conservation and Ecology, Avian Conservation and Ecology, 2008 to 2011
•Member of editorial board,Current Landscape Ecology Reports, 2015 to present
•Member of editorial committee, Avian Conservation and Ecology, 2007 to present
•Member, The Wildlife Society Conservation Awards/ Conservation Education Awards committees, 2012, 2015
•International peer reviewer, Swedish social science research: integrating biological and sociological methodology, 2009
•Reviewer, scientific presentations, joint meeting of the CentralMountains and Plains / Canadian Chapters of The Wildlife Society, 2008
•Reviewer, Alberta Conservation Association Grants in Biodiversity, 2017, 2015
•Reviewer, Current Landscape Ecology Reports, 2016-present
•Reviewer, Environmental Pollution, 2016
•Reviewer, Canadian Field-Naturalist, 2015-2016
•Reviewer, Waterbirds, 2013-2015
•Reviewer, Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 2015
•Reviewer, Condor, 2014-2015
•Reviewer, Avian Conservation and Ecology, 2014
•Reviewer, PLOS-1, 2013, 2014
•Reviewer, Plant Ecology, 2013
•Reviewer, Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 2011, 2015
•Reviewer, Journal of Ecology, 2010
•Reviewer, Restoration Ecology, 2010
•Reviewer, Biological Conservation, 2010
•Reviewer, Avian Conservation and Ecology, 2010
•Reviewer, Proceedings of the NationalAcademy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2009
•Reviewer, Journal of Wildlife Management, 2009
•Reviewer, Rangeland Ecology and Management, 2009
•Reviewer, Journal of Animal Ecology, 2009
•Reviewer, Canadian Journal of Zoology, 2009
•Reviewer, Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 2009
•Reviewer, COSEWIC Status Report on Sprague’s Pipit, 2009
•Reviewer, Auk, 2008
•Reviewer, Oikos, 2008
•Reviewer, Avian Conservation and Ecology, 2008
•Reviewer, Wetlands, 2008
•Reviewer, Landscape and Urban Planning, 2008
•Reviewer, LandscapeEcology, 2006 to present
•Reviewer, Natural Areas Journal, 2007
•Reviewer, Alberta Conservation Association Grants in Biodiversity, 2006 to present
•Reviewer, Ecology, 2006
•Reviewer, Environmental Management, 2006
•Associate Head, Natural Resources Institute, 2012 – 2013, 2014-2015, 2016
•Chair, MNRM program, Natural Resources Institute, 2013-2015
•Lead, Accessibility Audit, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth and Resources, 2016
•Conservation expert, The Messenger: panel discussing conservation of songbirds, University of Manitoba, 2017
•Data analysis, effects of economic value on hunting mortality of polar bears, International Fund for Animal Welfare, 2015
•Member, awards committee, Canadian Section of The Wildlife Society, 2015-present
•Member, accessibility committee, Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth and Resources, 2016-present
•Judge, student posters and presentations, Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Annual Meeting, University of Calgary, 2015
•Invited Scientific Expert, Sprague’s Pipit (SPPI) Species Status Assessment (SSA)
Expert Workshop and Conservation Planning Meeting for the USA, 2014
•Trustee, Board of Trustees, Fort Whyte Alive, 2014-2015
•Invited Expert, critique: Rangeland classification for agri-Manitoba. SRC Publication No. 12870-1E14. March 2014
•Member, The Wildlife Society 2014-2015 Conservation Education Award Committee,2014-2015
•Chair, Society of Canadian Ornithologists Annual Meeting, August 12-14 2013, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
•Co-chair, North American Prairie Conference, Winnipeg, Manitoba, August 6-10 2012
•Expert reviewer, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Sprague’s pipit migratory bird conservation plan, 2010.
•Vice President, Canadian Chapter of The Wildlife Society, 2010-2011
•Chair, Audit Committee, Canadian Chapter of The Wildlife Society, 2010-present
•Member, Richard C. Goulden Memorial Award for students studying wildlife biology in Manitoba, 2014 - present
•Member, Awards Committee, Canadian Chapter of The Wildlife Society, 2010-2012
•Member, Education Committee, Canadian Chapter of The Wildlife Society, 2010-2012
•Chair, student awards committee, Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 2010
•Chair, conservation awards committee, Prairie Conservation and Endangered Species Conference, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 2010