Refuge Biology Corner

Photo credit: USFWS, Trinity River Staff

Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge is an amazing place to work, there are so many habitats and different species of plants and animals, it is hard to focus on what to protect first!  The daily duties of a wildlife biologist involve protecting and managing wildlife.  Although it sounds like a biologist just works with animals, much of a biologist’s work actually deals with people, plants, and habitat.  Why bother managing the plants, it seems boring doesn’t it?  Well, you have to remember if an animal does not have food, shelter, and safe water, it will not do well.  Therefore, a biologist’s focus should always be placed on habitat when managing wildlife.

Managing invasive species is a great part of habitat management.  Invasive species are plants or animals that “invade” an area.  They are species not native to the Trinity River floodplain.  When these species invade, they often outcompete the native species, crowding them out of areas where native species were once established.  Several invasive species found on land and in water are managed through integrated pest management principles at this Refuge.  Read about the invasive species.

Conducting breeding bird surveys are also part of a biologist’s duties.  Surveys are conducted to monitor birds’ breeding habits and breeding locations.  This is where a biologist usually gets dirty, but it really is the most fun part of the job.  The biologist studies colonial waterbirds (such as anhingas, cormorants, egrets, herons, and ibises), waterfowl (including black-bellied whistling ducks, wood ducks, and hooded mergansers), and also passerine cavity-nesting birds (bluebirds, carolina wrens, and carolina chickadees).  The most challenging part of studying colonial waterbirds is trying to count their nests.  Sometimes they number in the 1,000s!

Research is always a fun aspect of this job.  The refuge biologist also studies bats, Rafinesque’s big-eared bats to be more specific.  These are rare bats that can be found in the Trinity River Floodplain.  These bats were discovered inhabiting an abandoned house on the Refuge.  When the biologist learned of how rare it is to find these bats, the biologist decided it would be a good idea to study them.  Read about Rafinesque’s big-eared bat research on the Refuge.

Paid internships for high school students are available through Youth Conservation Corps (YCC).  Students who are currently in college or are recent graduates from college are eligible for jthe Student Conservation Association (SCA) Internship.  Finally, college students wishing to explore the idea of being a Refuge Biologist for one week may be interested in a Spring Break Internship.  Find out about internship opportunities at Trinity River National Wildlife. 

Photo credit: © Shannon Tompkins