CENTER FOR WILDLIFE ECOLOGY
Patrick W. Brown, Director
The mission of the Center for Wildlife Ecology is to
conduct basic and applied research on wildlife, their habitats, and the
wetlands of Illinois. The Center is comprised of research biologists,
ecologists, and supporting personnel. Funding is provided by the Natural
History Survey and through grants and contracts obtained by the scientists.
The Center includes several groups. The Wildlife Group focuses upon the
ecology, populations, and management of terrestrial and wetland wildlife and
their habitats. The Wetlands Group conducts biological surveys and
determinations of wetlands, participates in restoration of wetlands, studies
wetland management policy, and studies the ecology of natural communities. The
Spatial Habitat Analysis Group uses geographical information systems to assess
landscape-level questions involving wildlife and their habitats. Scientists in
the Center are prominent members of the wildlife research community and have a
long heritage of leadership and credibility in research.
Public Service
Center staff frequently respond to a wide variety of requests for information regarding wildlife and wetlands. Although the Center's primary mission is to conduct research, these requests are directed to Center staff because of their knowledge and because there are no wildlife extension specialists in Illinois as there are in most states. Outreach activities, therefore, are becoming an increasingly important part of our mission. Requests for information usually come from state and federal agencies, private wildlife groups, private foundations, individual sportsmen, and concerned citizens. Graduate and undergraduate students often seek assistance in preparing reports, and teachers and curriculum specialists request information for educational purposes. Management agencies (including the Illinois Department of Natural Resources), hunting clubs and sportsmen, and citizens with wildlife problems and interests often want to learn more about wildlife, how to manage their land for wildlife, or how to control wildlife pests.
Center scientists cooperate with the University of Illinois and other universities in the state to provide guidance and advice to undergraduate and graduate students. Some scientists teach classes at the University of Illinois to graduate and upper undergraduate students. Most members of the Center have affiliate appointments at various universities. The graduate and undergraduate students that scientists advise often play an important role in the research mission of the Center.
At the Stephen A. Forbes Biological Station in Havana, staff responded to numerous inquiries by private citizens and public employees regarding aerial censuses of waterfowl in Illinois. Information on the aerial censuses was distributed via mailings to various agencies throughout Illinois as well as agencies in Missouri and Iowa. Newspaper reporters from St. Louis, Peoria, Alton, and Quincy devoted weekly columns to the waterfowl census data during the hunting season. Dr. Stephen Havera, Director of the Forbes Biological Station, was interviewed frequently by radio and newspaper journalists concerning various aspects of the Illinois River and wildlife ecology. Staff at the station hosted over 300 visitors to discuss research, obtain information, or assist with station programs. Visitors represented the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Upper Mississippi River Conservation Committee Wildlife Technical Section, Office of the Illinois Lieutenant Governor, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Long-Term Resource Monitoring staff, Canadian Broadcasting System, The Nature Conservancy, Lieutenant Governor's Illinois River Ecology and Economics Advisory Committee, Big Rivers Committee, AmeriCorps-Illinois RiverWatch, faculty and students from three universities, media representatives, and interested citizens.
Center scientists made numerous scientific presentations, gave public lectures, and participated in numerous workshops. Presentations were made at meetings of the American Ornithologists Union, American Society of Mammalogists, Illinois Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference, Mississippi Flyway Council Technical Section, Prairie Grouse Technical Conference, Society for Ecological Restoration, and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. In addition, scientists were invited to give seminars at 13 universities in the United States and Canada. Center scientists also presented papers on a wide variety of topics including general avian biology, conservation of neotropical passerines, agro-ecology, general waterfowl biology, research programs at the Forbes Biological Station, habitat fragmentation effects on midwestern wildlife, habitat analysis for determining best habitats available for specific wildlife, waterfowl ecology and management, wetland delineation, wetland ecology, management of prairie chickens in Illinois, preservation and restoration of the Illinois River, the ecology of small-mammal populations, and fox and coyote survival and behavior.
Center staff remained deeply involved in service to professional groups, serving as referees for 32 professional journals. Scientists and staff also reviewed a wide variety of book chapters written by fellow scientists and proposals from agencies and private groups such as the Biological Research Division of the U.S. Geological Survey, National Science Foundation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Tennessee Council of Science and Engineering, U.S. Forest Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Illinois Department of Conservation, Argonne National Laboratory, University of Illinois Research Board, and a wide variety of professional and private groups.