Friday's Findings | A USGS Webinar Series
Twice-monthly short talks highlighting USGS ecosystems science.
Friday’s Findings is a public webinar series hosted by the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area. Each 30-minute session provides an overview of a current science topic and includes an opportunity for attendees to engage directly with USGS scientists through a question-and-answer segment. Webinars are held from 2:00-2:30 PM Eastern/11:00 -11:30 AM Pacific, unless otherwise noted.
Friday’s Findings highlights the breadth of ecosystem science conducted by the USGS, offering insights into research that informs the management and conservation of natural resources. Topics span a wide range of issues, including environmental health, wildlife disease, invasive species, climate change, and species population monitoring.
Through Friday’s Findings, the USGS aims to share knowledge that supports understanding and stewardship of the ecosystems upon which society depends.
2026 Friday's Findings Schedule
Using new tools for old problems: Innovative and actionable science that informs decision making for our vast and dynamic U.S. drylands
Date: January 9, 2026
Sasha Reed, Research Ecologist, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center
CASC Climate Adaptation Technical Services: Science and lessons from the first year
Date: January 23, 2026
Presenters: USGS National Climate Adaptation Science Center
- Ryan Boyles, Senior Advisor and CATS Lead
- Katherine Kurth, Biologist
- Marta Lyons, Biologist
- Andy Maguire, Biologist
- Kasia Nikiel, Physical Scientist
- Sarah Whipple, Biologist
Rapid mapping tool for grassland birds in the Great Plains and Sagebrush biomes
Date: February 6, 2026
Presenter: Caleb Roberts, Unit Leader, USGS Arkansas Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit
Tackling invasive mussels with science and strategy
Date: February 20, 2026
Presenter: Diane Waller, Research Fishery Biologist, USGS Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
Geospatial applications to visualize science and support decision-making across scales
Date: March 6, 2026
Presenters:
- Dan Jones, Physical Scientist, USGS Utah Water Science Center
- Brianna Williams, Geographer, USGS New Jersey Water Science Center
- Stephanie Gordon, Physical Scientist, USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center
Living Dinosaurs of the Hudson: Shortnose Sturgeon Science and Recovery
Date: March 20, 2026
Presenter: Shannon White, Research Biologist, USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center
Which bees need help? Assessing Southeast species before the buzz fades
Date: April 10, 2026
Presenter: Hailey Shanovich, Biologist and Climate Adaptation Service Scientist, Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center
Wildlife Health Awareness Day - Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) implications to ecosystem health
Date: April 24, 2026
Presenters:
- Andy Ramey, Research Wildlife Geneticist and Director of the Molecular Ecology Lab, USGS Alaska Science Center
- Camille Hopkins, Fish & Wildlife Disease Research Coordinator, USGS Ecosystems Mission Area
Towards Continental Conservation: A Metapopulation Strategy to Support Collaborative Bison Restoration and Management
Date: November 6, 2026
Presenter: Sara Oyler-McCance, Supervisory Research Geneticist and Branch Chief for the Ecosystem and Organismal Ecology Branch, USGS Fort Collins Science Center
GIS Day / Geography Awareness Week - Generating habitat maps in GIS for 12 Ohio reservoirs
Date: November 20, 2026
Presenter: Michael Booth, Assistant Unit Leader, USGS Michigan Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Supporting healthy recreational fish and wildlife game species through partnerships with State conservation agencies
Date: December 4, 2026
Presenter: David Alvarez, Research Chemist, USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center
The North American Breeding Bird Survey: On the road again for a bird survey that counts!
Date: December 18, 2026
Presenter: David Ziolkowski Jr., North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) Program Manager, USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center