I am a conservation ecologist with the Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Broadly, my research program seeks to elucidate and support the management of anthropogenic threats in coastal ecosystems. Areas of active research are highlighted below. By partnering with academics, First Nations, intergovernmental organizations and NGOs from within a government agency, I ensure that my research has a tangible conservation impact.
[email protected] Wildlife and Landscape Science Directorate Science and Technology Branch Environment and Climate Change Canada |
Since 2019, I have led a research program for ECCC focused on improving the assessment, management and monitoring of cumulative effects in collaboration with colleagues across Canada (e.g., central coast of British Columbia, the Ring of Fire in Ontario, offshore Nova Scotia and Newfoundland). For example, we developed an inclusive, regional approach for assessing cumulative impacts of future development scenarios that is driven by local values and knowledge (learn more here). I am now focused on developing flexible, regional approaches for assessing the cumulative impacts of offshore wind energy developments on migratory birds in eastern Canada, in collaboration with colleagues from the Biodiversity Research Institute and the Canadian Wildlife Service.
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Between April and October 2022, over forty thousand wild birds were reported sick or dead across eastern Canada following the incursion of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) into North America. To support ECCC's response, I shifted my focus to understanding the consequences of this virus on migratory bird populations. Ongoing research under this theme involves mortality assessments in Canada and abroad, drift modelling to estimate at-sea losses, population impact assessments for prioritized species, evaluation of participatory science data (i.e., iNaturalist) to monitor mass mortality events. This research involves and is made possible through collaboration with a diverse array of individuals and organizations including those involved with Canada’s Interagency Surveillance Program for Avian Influenza Viruses in Wild Birds.
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Since 2008, I have studied seabird and plastic pollution. My work has helped to identify baseline levels of plastic ingestion in several species, has supported the standardizations of methods, and has investigated the role of plastics as a vector for transport of persistence organic pollutants. This work involves a broad network of colleagues and has informed plastic policies and pollution monitoring strategies in Canada and two intergovernmental organizations (PICES, AMAP). Though this research is not a focus of my current program, plastic pollution is an issue I care deeply about.
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Starting in 2015 during my PhD supervision of Professors Hugh Possingham and Richard Fuller, I’ve moved increasingly into the conservation decision science space. My work in this area has involved developing tools and processes to improve the cost-efficiency of endangered species recovery programs, describe hurdles in developing quantitative decision support tools, track and report the trajectory of threatened species, and consider the risks and benefits of publishing biodiversity data. Current work in this space involves developing a decision support tool to guide emergency seabird mortality assessments.
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