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The Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Center uses scientific research techniques to better understand wildlife and fish populations, the habitats they require, and interactions with human society in our shared landscape. Its scientists promote sustainable management solutions for wildlife issues. Some of the critical issues that current projects are addressing include; wildlife and fish conservation in populated areas, rare species and threatened habitats, the changing climate, and the consequences of contaminants in the environment.
Headwater Brook Trout
Population declines in brook trout are associated with habitat alteration, fragmentation and climate change. Using population genetics we have documented fine-scale population structure and abundance of brook trout across two headwater channel networks. Upcoming work will uncover relatedness among headwater watersheds and study the influence of various barriers to movement and gene flow. more
Black Bears
Bears have been expanding their range in Connecticut in recent decades, and human interactions, both positive and negative, are on the rise. To make the first scientifically-based estimate of the number of black bears in Connecticut, we are using hair corrals to collect bear hairs in a non-invasive manner. DNA is extracted from the hair and genetic methods are used to identify individual bears. more
Bridle Shiner
Bridle shiner were once a relatively common fish in Connecticut, but by the 1980-90s, Bridle Shiner were detected only at 8 locations. Our work suggested that differences in sampling gear detection abilities might be masking the actual status. Graduate student, Kasey Pregler, is resurveying historic locations using a seine rather than modern backpack or boat electrofishing and has ‘rediscovered’ a few populations. more