We are so pleased to formally announce that the winner of the 2021 David B. Marshall Award is Dr. Mike Wisdom!
Dr. Mike Wisdom has been a research wildlife biologist since 2001, and currently serves as team leader of the Starkey Ungulate Ecology Team in La Grande, Oregon working for the Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station of the U.S. Forest Service. Prior to this, he worked as a wildlife biologist in Coos Bay, OR for the BLM, as the PNW regional wildlife ecologist, and as a terrestrial scientist on the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project. Dr. Wisdom’s research focus for the past decade has been on elk and mule deer at the Starkey Experimental Forest and Range (“Starkey Project”) and replicate sites throughout the West.
Dr. Wisdom has been among the most innovative of scientists conducting a robust program of research while working effectively with managers in a myriad of applications. If you search for publications that Dr. Wisdom has been primary author or contributing author, you will not run short of research to read. He is highly-respected among diverse stakeholders representing agriculture, ranching, timber, recreation, and environmental interests in National Forest management, and is highly sought for tours, presentations, webinars, meetings, and calls with managers and stakeholders, who seek his advice and assistance in science applications. Dr. Wisdom places a high priority on research that is applicable to land managers, recognizing that managers are typically faced with making decisions using incomplete data and information. His work has contributed to major national policies governing management of National Forests, including Forest Service travel management, roadless, and recreation policies and direction.
Although Dr. Wisdom manages a robust research workload, he has always made himself available as a technical resource for resource specialists, land managers, and policy makers at multiple local, state, and national levels. His effectiveness is due to his ability to distill complex information into understandable language. Dr. Wisdom is always humble and available to wildlife professionals of all experience levels through mentorship.
Dr. Wisdom has long contributed to the Oregon Chapter of The Wildlife Society. He has been a member of the national TWS society since 1978, and has served in several executive and committee roles for ORTWS. His tenure as President in 1993-1994 led to his receiving the President’s Award at the end of his year of service. The following year the Oregon Chapter received the national award for Outstanding Chapter of the Year. Dr. Wisdom has served as an Associate Editor for the Journal of Wildlife Management since 2018.
We hope you’ll take the time to watch these short announcement videos, put together by Mike’s nominators:
Mary Rowland’s endorsement for Mike Wisdom:
Josh Chapman’s endorsement for Mike Wisdom:
Mark Penninger’s endorsement for Mike Wisdom:
The David B. Marshall Award (formerly the ORTWS Lifetime Achievement Award) is granted to individuals that deserve recognition for their outstanding contributions and accomplishments in wildlife research, management, education, law enforcement or public service. By advocating sound wildlife stewardship this individual has promoted the advancement of science, the principles of ecology, and the goals of The Wildlife Society. Their actions have resulted in significant contributions in the conservation and increases long-term security of wildlife populations, wildlife habitats, and natural resource values within the State of Oregon.