Wildlife Surveys

ENV706. Wildlife Surveys


“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes


Seventeen spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculata) were captured and measured during the 2015 Wildlife Survey's salamander survey.

Seventeen spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculata) were captured and measured during the 2015 Wildlife Survey’s salamander survey.

 Course Description

This course introduces students to wildlife survey skills through both classroom lectures and field experiences. We look at the practical application of wildlife surveys in research and management, as well as the limitations and advantages of various field monitoring techniques. Real-world data collection provides structure for the course: Students participate in acoustic bird surveys, salamander monitoring, deer spot-lighting, amphibian calling surveys, small mammal collection, bat counting, and bird-window collision surveys. Guest wildlife professionals assist in the demonstration of some of the survey methods. Lectures address post-data collection processing and additional survey skills. We will also learn the common winter birds, herpetofauna, and mammals of the North Carolina Piedmont. This class complements the skills learned in tools courses such as Fundamentals of GIS, Conservation GIS, Forest Measurements, and Landscape Analysis. This course has achieved Duke’s Green Classroom Certification.

News articles and broadcasts from Wildlife Surveys research projects:

Student blog posts about Wildlife Surveys:

Interested in resources supporting diversity & inclusion in wildlife fields? Check out these links:

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