USGS scientist holds a young skunk with an ear tag ID and a lightweight GPS collar. The USGS is studying the movement patterns of skunks and raccoons in Suisun Marsh, CA to learn how they use different landscape features, like levee roads, to navigate to waterfowl nests.
Sarah Peterson
Dr. Sarah Peterson is a Wildlife Biologist at the Dixon Field Station.
She is broadly interested in the ecology and movement of upper trophic level predators, with a focus on birds and mammals. Additionally, she is interested in the interplay between foraging ecology and both contaminant bioaccumulation and toxicological risk. She conducted her PhD at UC Santa Cruz, where she examined how ecology and physiology influence contaminant bioaccumulation (mercury and persistent organic pollutants) in seals and sea lions.
Currently, she works as part of a large collaborative research effort to study ground-nesting waterfowl at the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area. She leads a portion of the study that quantifies survival and movement of ducklings, using VHF radio-telemetry. She also quantifies the space use and movements of raccoons and skunks around duck nests using GPS technology.
Education
- Ph.D. 2015. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. University of California Santa Cruz, CA (UCSC)
- M.Sc. 2008. Marine and Estuarine Science. Dept. of Biology. Western Washington University, WA (WWU)
- B.A. 2005. Biology and Environmental Studies. Whitman College, WA
Professional Research Experience
- Wildlife Biologist, USGS, Western Ecological Research Center (2015–present)
- Doctoral Researcher, Ecology, Physiology & Conservation of Marine Animals Lab, Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UCSC (2010–2015)
- Biological Technician (shorebird & seabird research), USGS, Western Ecological Research Center (2010)
- Biological Technician & Volunteer, Yellowstone Gray Wolf Recovery Program, Yellowstone National Park (2008–2009 & 2015)
- Masters Research, Marine Mammal Ecology Lab, Dept. of Biology, WWU (2006–2008)
- Graduate Student Research Assistant, Marine Mammal Ecology Lab, Dept. of Biology, WWU (2007)
- Biological Researcher, Ecological Research Station, Öland, Sweden (2004)
- Field Assistant, Botswana Wild Dog Research Camp, Botswana, Africa (2003)
Outreach and Education
- Graduate Student TA, Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UCSC (2011, 2014 & 2015)
- Naturalist & Kayak Guide, CA, WA, & southeast AK (2005–2015)
- Graduate Student TA, Dept. of Biology, WWU (2007–2008)
- GK-12 National Science Foundation Fellow (graduate students in K-12 education), Dept. of Biology, WWU (2006–2007)
- Science Instructor, The Ocean Institute, CA (2005–2006)
Science and Products
Young Skunk with GPS Collar, WERC
USGS scientist holds a young skunk with an ear tag ID and a lightweight GPS collar. The USGS is studying the movement patterns of skunks and raccoons in Suisun Marsh, CA to learn how they use different landscape features, like levee roads, to navigate to waterfowl nests.
WERC Scientist Searches for Waterfowl Predators
USGS field scientist uses radio telemetry to search for skunks and raccoons tagged with lightweight radio collars. USGS is monitoring skunk and raccoon movements across California's inland marshes to understand how they are using different features of the landscape, like levee roads, to navigate to waterfowl nests.
USGS field scientist uses radio telemetry to search for skunks and raccoons tagged with lightweight radio collars. USGS is monitoring skunk and raccoon movements across California's inland marshes to understand how they are using different features of the landscape, like levee roads, to navigate to waterfowl nests.
Young Skunk with Ear Tag ID
Photo of a skunk with an ear tag ID. Scientists from the USGS Western Ecological Research Center are studying the movements of skunks and raccoons within Suisun Marsh, CA to understand how they navigate the marsh to reach waterfowl nests. Results will inform the management of waterfowl populations within the Central Valley, CA.
Photo of a skunk with an ear tag ID. Scientists from the USGS Western Ecological Research Center are studying the movements of skunks and raccoons within Suisun Marsh, CA to understand how they navigate the marsh to reach waterfowl nests. Results will inform the management of waterfowl populations within the Central Valley, CA.
Hen in Suisun Marsh, CA
Hen in Suisun Marsh, CA.
Gadwall Ducklings in Nest
Gadwall ducklings in nest, Suisun Marsh, CA.
Gadwall ducklings in nest, Suisun Marsh, CA.
USGS WERC Scientist with Duckling & Transmitter
USGS biological science technician Andrew Greenawalt holding a duckling with a lightweight radio transmitter. The USGS Western Ecological Research Center is monitoring waterfowl populations throughout Suisun Marsh, CA, and the greater Pacific Flyway. Radio transmitters fall off within several weeks and are recovered by scientists for data collection.
USGS biological science technician Andrew Greenawalt holding a duckling with a lightweight radio transmitter. The USGS Western Ecological Research Center is monitoring waterfowl populations throughout Suisun Marsh, CA, and the greater Pacific Flyway. Radio transmitters fall off within several weeks and are recovered by scientists for data collection.
Male Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris)
Male Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris)Male northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) resting on a sandy beach along the coast of California.
Male Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris)
Male Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris)Male northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) resting on a sandy beach along the coast of California.
Science and Products
Young Skunk with GPS Collar, WERC
USGS scientist holds a young skunk with an ear tag ID and a lightweight GPS collar. The USGS is studying the movement patterns of skunks and raccoons in Suisun Marsh, CA to learn how they use different landscape features, like levee roads, to navigate to waterfowl nests.
USGS scientist holds a young skunk with an ear tag ID and a lightweight GPS collar. The USGS is studying the movement patterns of skunks and raccoons in Suisun Marsh, CA to learn how they use different landscape features, like levee roads, to navigate to waterfowl nests.
WERC Scientist Searches for Waterfowl Predators
USGS field scientist uses radio telemetry to search for skunks and raccoons tagged with lightweight radio collars. USGS is monitoring skunk and raccoon movements across California's inland marshes to understand how they are using different features of the landscape, like levee roads, to navigate to waterfowl nests.
USGS field scientist uses radio telemetry to search for skunks and raccoons tagged with lightweight radio collars. USGS is monitoring skunk and raccoon movements across California's inland marshes to understand how they are using different features of the landscape, like levee roads, to navigate to waterfowl nests.
Young Skunk with Ear Tag ID
Photo of a skunk with an ear tag ID. Scientists from the USGS Western Ecological Research Center are studying the movements of skunks and raccoons within Suisun Marsh, CA to understand how they navigate the marsh to reach waterfowl nests. Results will inform the management of waterfowl populations within the Central Valley, CA.
Photo of a skunk with an ear tag ID. Scientists from the USGS Western Ecological Research Center are studying the movements of skunks and raccoons within Suisun Marsh, CA to understand how they navigate the marsh to reach waterfowl nests. Results will inform the management of waterfowl populations within the Central Valley, CA.
Hen in Suisun Marsh, CA
Hen in Suisun Marsh, CA.
Gadwall Ducklings in Nest
Gadwall ducklings in nest, Suisun Marsh, CA.
Gadwall ducklings in nest, Suisun Marsh, CA.
USGS WERC Scientist with Duckling & Transmitter
USGS biological science technician Andrew Greenawalt holding a duckling with a lightweight radio transmitter. The USGS Western Ecological Research Center is monitoring waterfowl populations throughout Suisun Marsh, CA, and the greater Pacific Flyway. Radio transmitters fall off within several weeks and are recovered by scientists for data collection.
USGS biological science technician Andrew Greenawalt holding a duckling with a lightweight radio transmitter. The USGS Western Ecological Research Center is monitoring waterfowl populations throughout Suisun Marsh, CA, and the greater Pacific Flyway. Radio transmitters fall off within several weeks and are recovered by scientists for data collection.
Male Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris)
Male Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris)Male northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) resting on a sandy beach along the coast of California.
Male Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris)
Male Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris)Male northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) resting on a sandy beach along the coast of California.