Undergraduate Researcher return to map return to student search
Hometown:
Nampa,
ID
US
(Canyon County)
School:
University of Idaho
Undergraduate student
Conservation Biology, Film & Television
Funded by EPSCoR Award:
ICREWS | OIA-2242769
Research Location(s):
Salmon (ID), Challis (ID), Hailey (ID), Ketchum (ID)
COUNTIES: Lemhi, Custer, Blaine
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT(S): District 31, District 8, District 26
Research Statement:
My research looked to understand how Idahoans find and share information regarding wolves and wolf management. These canines have been a contentious topic in the west since they were first reintroduced in 1995. Their role on the landscape impacts not only the environment, but the people who inhabit those areas as well. The last thirty years with wolves frequenting the Idaho wilderness has been full of polarized and biased interactions with the media, ranchers, scientists, hunters, politicians, and environmentalists. With a lack of collaboration and sharing of factual information, the wolf crisis in Idaho continues to escalate, leading to damage on both sides of the issue.
Research Impact:
By describing information and communication preferences of those involved in the wolf issue in Idaho, I hope to better inform methods of sharing pertinent information by management agencies and NGOs. Currently, information sources target specific groups (i.e, Foundation for Wildlife Management traditionally speaks only to hunters, skewing information in favor of hunting. Living with Wolves traditionally speaks to environmentalists, skewing information in favor of wolf conservation). This disconnect only sets our community back when it comes to creating a balanced solution that benefits everyone. By better informing our modes of sharing and receiving information, we increase our chances of creating a solution to the Idaho wolf crisis that helps ranchers make a living, hunters continue enjoying their sport, and wolves thrive in their home.