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Samantha Wolfe Running for: Secretary Education: M.S., Range & Wildlife Management, Texas A&M University-Kingsville Present Position/Employment: Range Technician, USDA-ARS. Burns, OR., April 2019-present |
Former Positions/Employment: Lead Biologist- Institute for Bird Populations, American Samoa, ran 6 banding stations; Range Technician- USDA-ARS, OR, vegetation monitoring; Research Assistant- Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, TX, independent research on songbird stopover habitat; Avian Surveyor- Western Ecosystems, Inc., TX, conducted pre-construction wind energy point counts; Avian Technician- University of Washington, Fort Hood, TX, monitoring of White-eyed Vireos; Endangered Species Technician- University of Washington, Fort Hood, TX, monitoring of Black-capped Vireos; Wind Farm Technician- Power Engineers, IL, monitored wind farm for bird and bat mortality; Avian Field Technician- Oregon State University, IN, conducted point counts for forest songbirds; Wildlife Rehab Intern- Fox Valley Wildlife Center, IL, husbandry of injured/orphaned wildlife; Raptor Rehab Intern- Stillman Nature Center, IL, outreach and husbandry of raptors.
TWS Activities: I have been a member since 2016. I have given multiple presentations at Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society but would like to get more involved!
ORTWS Goals: I would like to be involved in the conservation affairs committee, as well as help in planning of the annual meeting. I also hope to meet other wildlife professionals in Oregon and learn about their work.
Interests (Professional and/or Personal): My past professional interests have been understanding habitat requirements of birds during migration, ageing passerines using molt patterns, and looking at relationships between songbirds and invasive woody flora. I am also interested in using remote sensing techniques to answer my research questions. On a more personal level, I am a complete bird nerd. I’ve been known to carry binoculars just about anywhere it’s deemed socially acceptable, and think nothing of driving hours for the chance to see a rare bird. I am completely fascinated with neo-tropical migration and love learning as much as I can about it. My passion for neo-tropical songbirds drives me to be an advocate for bird-safe windows, lights-out city programs, and bringing domestic cats indoors. I am also very invested in educating myself and others in sustainable and eco-friendly products and practices. My personal hobbies have expanded since moving to the Pacific Northwest 2 years ago, when I realized what the word “mountain” means. I absolutely love backpacking and the beauty, remoteness, and minimalism that goes along with it. I also enjoy practicing yoga, cooking, and having craft parties during those long eastern Oregon winters.