Join us in welcoming our new intern, Daniel, to PDXWildlife. We are super excited and thrilled to have him on our team.
A little bit about Daniel-
Daniel is from Denver, CO and graduated from Colorado State University in May 2014 with a degree in Wildlife Biology. Since then, he has been ever so vigilant in finding a way to pursue his passion of helping endangered species and those most impacted by human development. He envisions working closely with locals in areas of rapid development in relation to their wildlife problems, such as urban expansion and conversion of forests for agricultural purposes.
Outdoor adventures are high up the list of things to do in Fort Collins, CO, where Daniel earned his degree in Wildlife Biology.
In the past, he has done work on habitat restoration projects on the Poudre River in Fort Collins, replanting the riparian areas destroyed by severe flooding. He also got into the more biological side of plants when working with Cargill as a greenhouse laborer for canola researchers. He has a deep appreciation for everything natural, especially the plants and animals that make an ecosystem work – which makes this panda work a particularly exciting opportunity.
Most recently, he just finished a three-month stint working on a graduate research project on Bendire’s Thrashers – a bird listed as vulnerable on the IUCN – and general bird surveys for New Mexico State University. This work introduced him to the problems that wildlife face in areas of high agricultural use and exurban land conversion, but also the exchange of cultures and our differing priorities.
He cannot wait to finally get a chance to work with an endangered species, especially such a charismatic species like the panda. Before earning the once in a lifetime opportunity to work with giant pandas, he was originally planning on taking a backpacking trip through China later in the year, so this really is an incredible opportunity!
Recently just finished work on Bendire’s Thrashers in New Mexico. The last – and most fun – part of the job, vegetation surveys in 105 degree heat!
Birding and general interactions with wildlife started as a passion and soon became a job.
