I perform best in a diverse, high-paced, forward-thinking, creative, positive, empowering, relevant workplace. Leave no one behind: every person is unique and has unique contributions. I engage diverse people. My position is dynamic: engagement, outreach, diversity inclusion. I include, listen to, and learn from staff outside my work group, external friends, partners, and local communities.
I am a thrill-seeking person who enjoys outdoors activities near the water.
Research Interests
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace, science outreach, human dimensions, community involvement, safeguarding the rights of small communities who depend on hunting and commercial fishing for their livelihoods.
Professional Experience
Communicate science to The Department of the Interior Bureaus, and partners. Improve and enhance coordination with the USGS Office of Communications and Publishing to meet public affairs and congressional outreach needs; collaborate with cooperators and partners; and lead change in workplace culture and advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace.
Improve and enhance coordination with the USGS Office of Communications and Publishing to meet public affairs and congressional outreach needs; collaborate with cooperators and partners; and lead change in workplace culture and advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in the workplace.
Education and Certifications
Certificate Workshop University of Wyoming Inclusionary and Global Leadership Program, Basics of Data Storytelling (2021)
Certificate University of South Florida DEIA, Stereotypes and Biases (2021)
MA, Natural Resources, Virginia Tech (2007)
Certificate Geographic Information Systems, Florida Atlantic University (2001)
BA, Urban Affairs and Planning, Virginia Tech (1995)
Affiliations and Memberships*
Diversity Change Agent, 2023. Department of Interior.
USGS Disability Inclusion Network Employee Resource Group
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
The Department of the Interior Diversity Partners Community of Practice
The Wildlife Society
Interagency Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Discussion Group
USGS Disability Inclusion Network Employee Resource Group
Honors and Awards
Secretary of the Interior Diversity Award honors employees who provide exemplary service to the Department in its efforts to increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (2021)
USGS Diversity Award recognizes the outstanding efforts of the USGS Employee Resource Groups for their exceptional work with the USGS Special Emphasis Programs (2021)
USGS Star Award, 1st Annual USGS Grassroots Symposium Planning Team (2021)
Abstracts and Presentations
(2022) Introduction to the U.S. Geological Survey Disability Inclusion Network Employee Resource Group, 2022 USGS 2nd Annual Grassroots Symposium. October 26-28. U.S. Geological Survey National Center.
(2021) Introduction to the U.S. Geological Survey Disability Inclusion Network Employee Resource Group, 2021 USGS 1st Annual Grassroots Symposium. October 26-28. U.S. Geological Survey National Center.
Science and Products
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program—2022 year in review
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program — 2021 year in review
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program—2020 Year in review
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program—2020 research abstracts
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program—2019 year in review
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program—2019 year in review postcard
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program—2018 year in review
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program—2018 year in review postcard
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program—2017 year in review postcard
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program—2017 year in review
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units - A model partnership program
U.S. Geological Survey Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program—2016–2017 Research Abstracts
Hurricane Portfolio
Fishing and Hunting
Abstracts at a Glance
The USGS is the research arm of the U.S. Department of the Interior and has established a series of strategic goals that focus its efforts on serving the American people. Within the USGS, the Ecosystems Mission Area is responsible for conducting and sponsoring research that addresses overarching goal "Science that Supports Wild and Urban Spaces, and the Landscapes In-Between."
A Model Partnership-The Cooperative Research Units Program
One of the three pillars of the CRU mission is to lead research that provides science solutions for the management needs of our State and Federal agency cooperators—research that informs decision making. The CRU program with its Federal, State, and university partners are proactively working together to conduct science at transboundary landscape levels to meet the needs of all stakeholders.
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units 2020 Year in Review
Our Program is a unique cooperative partnership among State fish and wildlife agencies, universities, the Wildlife Management Institute, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This story highlights the activities and accomplishments of the program and its cooperators for calendar year 2020.
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 15
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program—2022 year in review
Established in 1935, the CRU program is a unique cooperative partnership among State Fish and Wildlife agencies, host universities, Wildlife Management Institute, U.S. Geological Survey, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Designed to meet the scientific needs of natural resource management agencies and to produce trained wildlife management professionals, the program has grown from the originAuthorsElise Irwin, Donald E. Dennerline, J. Barry Grand, Jonathan MawdsleyCooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program — 2021 year in review
Established in 1935, the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program is a unique cooperative partnership among State fish and wildlife agencies, universities, the Wildlife Management Institute, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Designed to meet the scientific needs of natural resource management agencies and the necessity for trained professionals in theAuthorsDawn E. ChildsCooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program—2020 Year in review
Established in 1935, the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program (CRU program) is a unique cooperative partnership among State fish and wildlife agencies, universities, the Wildlife Management Institute, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Designed to meet the scientific needs of natural resource management agencies and the necessity for trainedAuthorsJohn D. Thompson, Donald E. Dennerline, Dawn E. Childs, Patrick G.R. JodiceCooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program—2020 research abstracts
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) serves as the research arm of the U.S. Department of the Interior and has established a series of strategic goals that focus its efforts on serving the American people. Within the USGS, the Ecosystems Mission Area is responsible for conducting and sponsoring research that addresses the following thematic objectives under the overarching strategic goal of “ScienceCooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program—2019 year in review
Acting Chief’s MessageDear Cooperators:Members of the Cooperative Research Units are pleased to provide you with the “2019 Year in Review” report for the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRUs). You will first note that this report looks a little different than those published in the past few years, as we opted for a shorter, more concise format this year. Inside you will find brief deAuthorsJohn D. Thompson, Donald E. Dennerline, Dawn E. ChildsCooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program—2019 year in review postcard
Acting Chief’s MessageDear friends,I invite you to take a look at U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1463, “Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program—2019 Year in Review,” now available at https://doi.org/10.3133/cir1463. In this report, you will find details about the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRU) program concerning fish and wildlife science, students, staffing, vacanAuthorsJohn D. Thompson, Donald E. Dennerline, Dawn E. ChildsCooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program—2018 year in review
The Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRU) program had an interesting and challenging year in 2018. We made significant strategic advances on many fronts and had setbacks in others.Our relationship with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the agency we belonged to from 1935 to the mid-1990s, was further reinforced through strategic efforts with the Service’s Science Applications seniorAuthorsJohn F. Organ, John D. Thompson, Dawn E. Childs, Donald E. DennerlineCooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units program—2018 year in review postcard
This postcard provides details about the "Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program—2018 Year in Review," U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1452, now available at https://doi.org/10.3133/cir1452. In this report, you will find details about the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRU) program relating to its background, fish and wildlife science, students, staffing, vacancies, reAuthorsJohn F. Organ, John D. Thompson, Dawn E. Childs, Donald E. DennerlineCooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program—2017 year in review postcard
This postcard provides details about the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program—2017 Year in Review, U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1438, now available at https://doi.org/10.3133/cir1438. In this report, you will find details about the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRU) Program relating to its background, fish and wildlife science, students, staffing, vacancies, reseAuthorsJohn F. Organ, John D. Thompson, Donald E. Dennerline, Dawn E. ChildsCooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program—2017 year in review
The Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program was involved in a number of notable events during 2017, many concerning our personnel. Dr. Barry Grand left his position as Leader of the Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit to become the Cooperative Units Program Supervisor for the South, replacing Dr. Kevin Whalen who took over as Supervisor for the West. We welcomed Dr. SaAuthorsJohn F. Organ, John D. Thompson, Donald E. Dennerline, Dawn E. ChildsCooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units - A model partnership program
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units (CRU) program is a unique model of cooperative partnership among the USGS, other U.S. Department of the Interior and Federal agencies, universities, State fish and wildlife agencies, and the Wildlife Management Institute. These partnerships are maintained as one of the USGS’s strongest links to Federal and State land anAuthorsDonald E. Dennerline, Dawn E. ChildsU.S. Geological Survey Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program—2016–2017 Research Abstracts
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has several strategic goals that focus its efforts on serving the American people. The USGS Ecosystems Mission Area has responsibility for the following objectives under the strategic goal of “Science to Manage and Sustain Resources for Thriving Economies and Healthy Ecosystems”:Understand, model, and predict change in natural systemsConserve and protect wildlife - Science
Hurricane Portfolio
Research conducted as part of the CRU program is determined, approved, and supported by each unit’s coordinating committee composed of representatives from the USGS, one or more of the respective State fish and wildlife agencies, the host university, the Wildlife Management Institute, and the USFWS. The stakeholder-driven nature of the program’s research portfolio is designed to ensure that the...Fishing and Hunting
This page is a work in progress and showcases fishing and hunting as a way of life, a food source, and recreational opportunity for millions of Americans. The management of fish and wildlife populations for the benefit of current and future generations is the foundation of our Nation’s conservation heritage. We help to inform decisions through a variety of actions, from the development and... - Multimedia
- Web Tools
Abstracts at a Glance
The USGS is the research arm of the U.S. Department of the Interior and has established a series of strategic goals that focus its efforts on serving the American people. Within the USGS, the Ecosystems Mission Area is responsible for conducting and sponsoring research that addresses overarching goal "Science that Supports Wild and Urban Spaces, and the Landscapes In-Between."
A Model Partnership-The Cooperative Research Units Program
One of the three pillars of the CRU mission is to lead research that provides science solutions for the management needs of our State and Federal agency cooperators—research that informs decision making. The CRU program with its Federal, State, and university partners are proactively working together to conduct science at transboundary landscape levels to meet the needs of all stakeholders.
Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units 2020 Year in Review
Our Program is a unique cooperative partnership among State fish and wildlife agencies, universities, the Wildlife Management Institute, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This story highlights the activities and accomplishments of the program and its cooperators for calendar year 2020.
- News
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government