A young white-tailed deer standing in the woods at 1300 feet elevation. Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”), hooved animals.
Dawn Childs
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
At-a-Glance—Summary of the 2023 U.S. Geological Survey Cooperative Research Units Program Year-in-Review
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
Hurricane Portfolio
Fishing and Hunting
A young white-tailed deer standing in the woods at 1300 feet elevation. Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”), hooved animals.
Illustration by Elizabeth "Lizzy" Lang, Graduate Research Assistant, Iowa State University.
Illustration by Elizabeth "Lizzy" Lang, Graduate Research Assistant, Iowa State University.
Tufted puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) are an iconic species in the Pacific Northwest that provide a wide range of ecological, economic, and historically important services such as ecotourism for local communities- and bringing marine derived nutrients to terrestrial habitats.
Tufted puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) are an iconic species in the Pacific Northwest that provide a wide range of ecological, economic, and historically important services such as ecotourism for local communities- and bringing marine derived nutrients to terrestrial habitats.
This original photograph was taken during field work for her project looking at ringtail demographics and habitat use in southwestern Oregon.
This original photograph was taken during field work for her project looking at ringtail demographics and habitat use in southwestern Oregon.
The ringtail is a small, secretive, omnivorous, nocturnal relative of the raccoon that occurs in southwestern Oregon, the most northern portion of the species range.
The ringtail is a small, secretive, omnivorous, nocturnal relative of the raccoon that occurs in southwestern Oregon, the most northern portion of the species range.
Adult tufted puffin feeds fish to a juvenile puffin. Illustration by Carina Kusaka. Permission agreement on file.
Adult tufted puffin feeds fish to a juvenile puffin. Illustration by Carina Kusaka. Permission agreement on file.
Seals swim along the Oregon Coast. Modeling animal movement through landscapes is a key component to understanding population
ecology, how populations can be managed, how human actions impact the population.
Seals swim along the Oregon Coast. Modeling animal movement through landscapes is a key component to understanding population
ecology, how populations can be managed, how human actions impact the population.
Tufted puffins are an iconic species in the Pacific Northwest that provide a wide range of ecological, economic, and historically important services such as ecotourism for local communities- and bringing marine derived nutrients to terrestrial habitats.
Tufted puffins are an iconic species in the Pacific Northwest that provide a wide range of ecological, economic, and historically important services such as ecotourism for local communities- and bringing marine derived nutrients to terrestrial habitats.
Tufted puffin flying over the Oregon Coast. The Tufted Puffin – a seabird of the North Pacific Rim – has evinced steep declines off the west coast of the continental United States in recent years, but it is less clear that the species is declining in the northern portion of its range.
Tufted puffin flying over the Oregon Coast. The Tufted Puffin – a seabird of the North Pacific Rim – has evinced steep declines off the west coast of the continental United States in recent years, but it is less clear that the species is declining in the northern portion of its range.
Lizzy Lang, graduate research assistant, Iowa State University, leads research on Blanding’s Turtle. Lizzy’s project helps decision-makers in Iowa and Illinois to make informed decisions about the endangered Blanding’s turtle.
Lizzy Lang, graduate research assistant, Iowa State University, leads research on Blanding’s Turtle. Lizzy’s project helps decision-makers in Iowa and Illinois to make informed decisions about the endangered Blanding’s turtle.
Tufted puffins are an iconic species in the Pacific Northwest that provide a wide range of ecological, economic, and historically important services such as ecotourism for local communities- and bringing marine derived nutrients to terrestrial habitats.
Tufted puffins are an iconic species in the Pacific Northwest that provide a wide range of ecological, economic, and historically important services such as ecotourism for local communities- and bringing marine derived nutrients to terrestrial habitats.
Little is understood about the behavior, location, and habitat preferences of juvenile Gulf sturgeon. To learn more about this prehistoric fish, the Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Florida, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S.
Little is understood about the behavior, location, and habitat preferences of juvenile Gulf sturgeon. To learn more about this prehistoric fish, the Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Florida, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S.
Bison on Antelope Island, Utah. Utah Division of State Parks manages approximately 500-700 bison. Source: Utah Division of State Parks.
Bison on Antelope Island, Utah. Utah Division of State Parks manages approximately 500-700 bison. Source: Utah Division of State Parks.
Distribution map: distribution of chronic wasting disease in North America
Distribution map: distribution of chronic wasting disease in North America
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
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
At-a-Glance—Summary of the 2023 U.S. Geological Survey Cooperative Research Units Program Year-in-Review
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
Hurricane Portfolio
Fishing and Hunting
A young white-tailed deer standing in the woods at 1300 feet elevation. Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”), hooved animals.
A young white-tailed deer standing in the woods at 1300 feet elevation. Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”), hooved animals.
Illustration by Elizabeth "Lizzy" Lang, Graduate Research Assistant, Iowa State University.
Illustration by Elizabeth "Lizzy" Lang, Graduate Research Assistant, Iowa State University.
Tufted puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) are an iconic species in the Pacific Northwest that provide a wide range of ecological, economic, and historically important services such as ecotourism for local communities- and bringing marine derived nutrients to terrestrial habitats.
Tufted puffins (Fratercula cirrhata) are an iconic species in the Pacific Northwest that provide a wide range of ecological, economic, and historically important services such as ecotourism for local communities- and bringing marine derived nutrients to terrestrial habitats.
This original photograph was taken during field work for her project looking at ringtail demographics and habitat use in southwestern Oregon.
This original photograph was taken during field work for her project looking at ringtail demographics and habitat use in southwestern Oregon.
The ringtail is a small, secretive, omnivorous, nocturnal relative of the raccoon that occurs in southwestern Oregon, the most northern portion of the species range.
The ringtail is a small, secretive, omnivorous, nocturnal relative of the raccoon that occurs in southwestern Oregon, the most northern portion of the species range.
Adult tufted puffin feeds fish to a juvenile puffin. Illustration by Carina Kusaka. Permission agreement on file.
Adult tufted puffin feeds fish to a juvenile puffin. Illustration by Carina Kusaka. Permission agreement on file.
Seals swim along the Oregon Coast. Modeling animal movement through landscapes is a key component to understanding population
ecology, how populations can be managed, how human actions impact the population.
Seals swim along the Oregon Coast. Modeling animal movement through landscapes is a key component to understanding population
ecology, how populations can be managed, how human actions impact the population.
Tufted puffins are an iconic species in the Pacific Northwest that provide a wide range of ecological, economic, and historically important services such as ecotourism for local communities- and bringing marine derived nutrients to terrestrial habitats.
Tufted puffins are an iconic species in the Pacific Northwest that provide a wide range of ecological, economic, and historically important services such as ecotourism for local communities- and bringing marine derived nutrients to terrestrial habitats.
Tufted puffin flying over the Oregon Coast. The Tufted Puffin – a seabird of the North Pacific Rim – has evinced steep declines off the west coast of the continental United States in recent years, but it is less clear that the species is declining in the northern portion of its range.
Tufted puffin flying over the Oregon Coast. The Tufted Puffin – a seabird of the North Pacific Rim – has evinced steep declines off the west coast of the continental United States in recent years, but it is less clear that the species is declining in the northern portion of its range.
Lizzy Lang, graduate research assistant, Iowa State University, leads research on Blanding’s Turtle. Lizzy’s project helps decision-makers in Iowa and Illinois to make informed decisions about the endangered Blanding’s turtle.
Lizzy Lang, graduate research assistant, Iowa State University, leads research on Blanding’s Turtle. Lizzy’s project helps decision-makers in Iowa and Illinois to make informed decisions about the endangered Blanding’s turtle.
Tufted puffins are an iconic species in the Pacific Northwest that provide a wide range of ecological, economic, and historically important services such as ecotourism for local communities- and bringing marine derived nutrients to terrestrial habitats.
Tufted puffins are an iconic species in the Pacific Northwest that provide a wide range of ecological, economic, and historically important services such as ecotourism for local communities- and bringing marine derived nutrients to terrestrial habitats.
Little is understood about the behavior, location, and habitat preferences of juvenile Gulf sturgeon. To learn more about this prehistoric fish, the Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Florida, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S.
Little is understood about the behavior, location, and habitat preferences of juvenile Gulf sturgeon. To learn more about this prehistoric fish, the Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Florida, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S.
Bison on Antelope Island, Utah. Utah Division of State Parks manages approximately 500-700 bison. Source: Utah Division of State Parks.
Bison on Antelope Island, Utah. Utah Division of State Parks manages approximately 500-700 bison. Source: Utah Division of State Parks.
Distribution map: distribution of chronic wasting disease in North America
Distribution map: distribution of chronic wasting disease in North America
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is an emerging infectious disease that is fatal to free-ranging and captive animals in Cervidae (the deer family; referred to as “cervids”). Affected animals include deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
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.
*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