The tree swallow project of Dr. Lauri Green's research team is up and running and has caught the attention of several regional media outlets. Bloomsburg's Press Enterprise and Hazleton's Standard Speaker have highlighted the work of Victoria Roper, a BAHS master's student. See the BAHS bulletin board for details and photos outside Dr. Green's office door. Dr. Green and Victoria were also featured on WNEP's Pennsylvania Outdoor Life program. Show host Don Jacobs accompanied the researchers into the field to learn about the tree swallow project and to observe how the team installs bird boxes. For a first-hand look at the research team in the field, check out https://wnep.com/2019/03/03/tree-swallow-project/ Keep an eye out for follow-up stories by WNEP, the Press Enterprise, and the Standard Speaker. They are visiting the sites again this week.
The goal of the tree swallow project is to examine the nesting, reproductive success, chick growth rates, and foraging behaviors of tree swallows and to compare populations in natural and artificial wetlands. Along with conducting her master's research, Victoria is mentoring several undergraduates in this project: Amanda Aulenbach, Jacquelynn Formosa, Sarah Gibson, Brendon Herrold, Jessica Paoletti, Shelly Rider and Celeste Takach. Dr. Green's research team presented several posters on the tree swallow project at the recent College of Science and Technology Research Day. Dr. Green's research team also collaborates with BAHS faculty members including Dr. Clay Corbin, Dr. Steve Rier and Dr. John Hranitz. They also work with Sean Levan of the Montour County and Nancy Corbin of the Columbia County Conservation Districts.
Victoria is an accomplished researcher. She earned an award for Best Graduate Student Poster at the Susquehanna River Symposium at Bucknell University last fall for her work "Aerial insectivore response to acid mine drainage in Pennsylvania streams," conducted in collaboration with her mentor Dr. Lauri Green, undergraduate Amanda Aulenbach, graduate student Ben Paul. She has also presented research at the PA Wildlife Society conference in State College, PA
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Dr. Green and team at CoST Research Day. From left: Amanda Aulenbach, Jackie Formosa,
Vicotoria Roper, Dr. Lauri Green , Brendon Herrold, Jessica Paoletti |
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Dr. Corbin being interviewed.for PA Outdoor Life |
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Victoria Roper is interviewed about her her work on the tree swallow project. |
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Dr. Green conducts field work. |
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Dr. Corbin bands birds. |
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Dr. Green and friends. |
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Vicoria collects data |