Connecticut Sea Grant Researcher gets National Award for Bird Conservation  

Chris Elphick, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Connecticut, received  a 2004 Partners in Flight national investigations award for the contributions of his research toward bird conservation.
The award was  presented March 17, 2005 during the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director’s Reception at the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference in Washington, D.C. Partners in Flight is a partnership among federal, state, and local government agencies, philanthropic and professional organizations, conservation groups, industry, the academic community, and private individuals. Its aim is to focus resources on research, management, and education involving birds and their habitats.

Chris Elphick
Elphick’s award-winning study focuses on the conservation and ecology of two species of marsh birds in coastal Connecticut: the seaside sparrow and the saltmarsh sharp-tailed sparrow, which has been identified as one of the highest priorities for bird conservation research in North America and is considered to be globally vulnerable to extinction.
The study involves a better understanding of the basic ecology of the two birds and relating it to population monitoring, salt marsh restoration and management, and land protection. Both birds are limited to small fragmented patches of salt marsh, and the factors that influence their habitat selection are not well understood. The work  is currently funded ($138,000) through 2006 by Connecticut Sea Grant. Other sponsors include the Environmental Protection Agency, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, and Audubon Connecticut.

Learn more:

Connecticut Sea Grant's project site

Dr. Elphick's saltmarsh bird web site

Integrated Bird Conservation in the United States

Collaborating with  Elphick on the study are Margaret Rubega, assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology; Carina Gjerdrum, a research associate; Erin King, a master’s degree student; and several undergraduates: Ken Henry, Selena Humphries, Moira Ray, and Kira Sullivan-Wiley.  Humphries and Sullivan-Wiley conducted independent research of their own, as well, and had awards from the Summer Undergraduate Research Fund (SURF).

Learn more: Connecticut Sea Grant's project site

 

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This page updated march 29, 2005

  


Connecticut Sea Grant at the University of Connecticut is one of 32 Sea Grant programs at flagship universities in the United States of America. Implemented  as a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University, the program's mission is to foster the conservation and wise use of coastal and marine resources through research, outreach, and education.

Thanks to Cindy Weiss, UCONN Communications, for contribution to this article, much of which was published in the UCONN Advance.

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This page updated March 29 2005