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Jonathan Mawdsley, PhD

Dr. Jonathan Mawdsley arrived to USGS in September 2020 to serve as the new Cooperative Research Units Chief. Jonathan is a conservation scientist with 25+ years experience studying biodiversity on five continents.  Author of 99 journal articles as well as reports, popular articles, a book, and book chapters on a wide range of wildlife and biodiversity conservation topics.

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Northern Pintail Duck on snow covered ground
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Nikola Rodriguez at the Hawaiʻi—Cooperative Fishery Unit
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Loggerhead sea turtle returns to the Atlantic Ocean near Ocracoke, North Carolina
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Jonathan most recently served as the Science Advisor to the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. In that position, he provided scientific expertise and support to the Association’s leadership, including the Directors of the 50 U. S. State fish and wildlife agencies and senior leadership of the U. S. and Canadian federal wildlife and natural resource management agencies, and The Heinz Center. He brings an essential skill to the job:  the ability to sustain and develop new key partnerships and coalitions. Conservation professional with expertise in the conservation of insect pollinators, management of imperiled species, invasive species management, and climate adaptation planning.

Professional Experience

  • Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Science Advisor, Work with state and federal natural resources management agencies in the United States to: promote the science and research needed for sound fish and wildlife management; develop partnerships to address fish and wildlife health and disease concerns; and develop and implement strategies for addressing the impacts of climatic change on fish

  • Smithsonian Institution, Research Associate, Conduct original research at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History on the taxonomy, systematics, and conservation of insects, including tiger beetles, beetle pollinators, and large carpenter bees.

  • Smithsonian Institute, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Conduct original research on beetle and arthopod diversity in tropical forest canopies.

  • Society for Conservation Biology, Director of Wildlife Conservation Programs, Direct and implement U. S. and international wildlife conservation projects, including the development of monitoring and evaluation programs for U.S. and tribal land managers, strategic planning for federal, state, and tribal clients.

  • The H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment, Program Director, Direct and lead the Center’s science program, including the development of monitoring and evaluation programs for U.S. and tribal land managers, strategic planning for federal, state, and tribal clients.

Education and Certifications

  • Cornell University, Ph.D. Entomology (2000)

  • Harvard University, BA Biology, (1994)

Science and Products

At-a-Glance—Summary of the 2023 U.S. Geological Survey Cooperative Research Unit Program Year in Review

IntroductionEstablished in 1935, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (CRU) program is a unique partnership among the USGS, State Fish and Wildlife agencies, host universities, the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). As of 2023, there are 43 CRUs in 41 states that fall under three supervisory regions and a Nati
Authors
Caroline E. Murphy, Elise R. Irwin, Dawn E. Childs, Donald E. Dennerline, Jonathan R. Mawdsley
By
Cooperative Research Units

Pollinator conservation and climate science at the U.S. Geological Survey

Introduction Ecosystems—whether agricultural, urban, or natural—depend on pollinators, great and small. Pollinators in the form of bees, birds, butterflies, bats, and even moths provide vital, but often invisible services, from contributing to biodiverse terrestrial wildlife and plant communities to supporting healthy watersheds. Pollinator declines worldwide have been noted as land-use and climat
Authors
Elise R. Irwin, Jonathan R. Mawdsley
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Cooperative Research Units, Alaska Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

The bee lab

IntroductionThe U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Bee Lab is a collaborative interagency joint venture and international leader for bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) identification, survey design, quantification of bee and plant interrelations, and development and maintenance of occurrence databases. Each of these objectives supports native bee conservation by providing critical data and tools for the United
Authors
Sam Droege, Elise R. Irwin, Jenn Malpass, Jonathan R. Mawdsley
By
Cooperative Research Units, Eastern Ecological Science Center

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 origin
Authors
Elise R. Irwin, Donald E. Dennerline, J. Barry Grand, Jonathan R. Mawdsley
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Cooperative Research Units
link
A group of people on a canoe on a river with fishing poles

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...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Cooperative Research Units
link

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...
Learn More
link
Pollinators

Species We Study: Pollinators

Ecosystems—whether agricultural, urban, or natural—depend on pollinators, great and small. Pollinators in the form of bees, birds, butterflies, bats, and even moths provide vital, but often invisible services, from contributing to biodiverse terrestrial wildlife and plant communities to supporting healthy watersheds. Pollinator declines worldwide have been noted as land-use and climate changes...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program
link

Species We Study: Pollinators

Ecosystems—whether agricultural, urban, or natural—depend on pollinators, great and small. Pollinators in the form of bees, birds, butterflies, bats, and even moths provide vital, but often invisible services, from contributing to biodiverse terrestrial wildlife and plant communities to supporting healthy watersheds. Pollinator declines worldwide have been noted as land-use and climate changes...
Learn More
Purdue University to host new multi-agency research partnership to benefit Indiana’s wildlife and wild places

Purdue University to host new multi-agency research partnership to benefit Indiana’s wildlife and wild places

The partnership is Indiana’s first U.S. Geological Survey Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

Read Article

Science and Products

  • Publications

    At-a-Glance—Summary of the 2023 U.S. Geological Survey Cooperative Research Unit Program Year in Review

    IntroductionEstablished in 1935, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (CRU) program is a unique partnership among the USGS, State Fish and Wildlife agencies, host universities, the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). As of 2023, there are 43 CRUs in 41 states that fall under three supervisory regions and a Nati
    Authors
    Caroline E. Murphy, Elise R. Irwin, Dawn E. Childs, Donald E. Dennerline, Jonathan R. Mawdsley
    By
    Cooperative Research Units

    Pollinator conservation and climate science at the U.S. Geological Survey

    Introduction Ecosystems—whether agricultural, urban, or natural—depend on pollinators, great and small. Pollinators in the form of bees, birds, butterflies, bats, and even moths provide vital, but often invisible services, from contributing to biodiverse terrestrial wildlife and plant communities to supporting healthy watersheds. Pollinator declines worldwide have been noted as land-use and climat
    Authors
    Elise R. Irwin, Jonathan R. Mawdsley
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Cooperative Research Units, Alaska Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center

    The bee lab

    IntroductionThe U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Bee Lab is a collaborative interagency joint venture and international leader for bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) identification, survey design, quantification of bee and plant interrelations, and development and maintenance of occurrence databases. Each of these objectives supports native bee conservation by providing critical data and tools for the United
    Authors
    Sam Droege, Elise R. Irwin, Jenn Malpass, Jonathan R. Mawdsley
    By
    Cooperative Research Units, Eastern Ecological Science Center

    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 origin
    Authors
    Elise R. Irwin, Donald E. Dennerline, J. Barry Grand, Jonathan R. Mawdsley
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Cooperative Research Units
  • Science
    link
    A group of people on a canoe on a river with fishing poles

    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...
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Cooperative Research Units
    link

    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...
    Learn More
    link
    Pollinators

    Species We Study: Pollinators

    Ecosystems—whether agricultural, urban, or natural—depend on pollinators, great and small. Pollinators in the form of bees, birds, butterflies, bats, and even moths provide vital, but often invisible services, from contributing to biodiverse terrestrial wildlife and plant communities to supporting healthy watersheds. Pollinator declines worldwide have been noted as land-use and climate changes...
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program
    link

    Species We Study: Pollinators

    Ecosystems—whether agricultural, urban, or natural—depend on pollinators, great and small. Pollinators in the form of bees, birds, butterflies, bats, and even moths provide vital, but often invisible services, from contributing to biodiverse terrestrial wildlife and plant communities to supporting healthy watersheds. Pollinator declines worldwide have been noted as land-use and climate changes...
    Learn More
  • News
    Purdue University to host new multi-agency research partnership to benefit Indiana’s wildlife and wild places

    Purdue University to host new multi-agency research partnership to benefit Indiana’s wildlife and wild places

    The partnership is Indiana’s first U.S. Geological Survey Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

    Read Article