Earthology is a company that works towards the betterment of the world. To achieve this, Earthology encourages its employees to volunteer for groups with like-minded goals and to never stop learning. Our Environmental Scientist, Alyssa Cavanaugh, has spent her time in late fall of 2023 and the spring and summer of 2024 volunteering and contributing to bird conservation, research, and outreach with organizations like Audubon of Southwest Florida, Jay Watch (Audubon Florida), and Rookery Bay.
With Audubon, her time is spent mostly interacting with the public teaching about the importance of conservation in relation to shorebirds and observing shorebird nesting behaviors and population trends. Outreach and creating positive environmental connections with the public are important aspects of Audubon’s mission. Learn more about Audubon of Southwest Florida and how to get involved here: https://www.audubonswfl.org/.
Jay Watch is the statewide annual survey for the Florida Scrub Jay, a federally threatened species and Florida’s only endemic bird species, hosted by Audubon. Alyssa spent several days in the field with Eva Ries of One More Generation and other volunteers at Indrio Savannahs Preserve, assisting in recording data and searching for scrub jays. More information about Jay Watch and how to get involved in 2025 is available here: https://fl.audubon.org/get-involved/jay-watch.
At Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Alyssa assisted the Avian Biologist, Marie Collette Lauzau, with migratory songbird banding, where she got hands on experience handling passerines and contributing to avian research. Days at Rookery Bay involved getting out into mosquito-infested habitats at 6 am, before the sun rose, to set up mist nets in the dark. Learn more about Rookery Bay at: https://rookerybay.org/.
We encourage all our employees at Earthology to pursue their passions and work to create a better planet for everyone.
Audubon’s Black Skimmer (Rynchops niger) decoys, to encourage nesting at Big Marco Pass Critical Wildlife Area. Photo by Alyssa Cavanaugh.
Wilson’s Plover (Charadrius wilsonia) a species of concern for Southwest Audubon, resting in the shade of a Critical Wildlife Habitat sign at Big Marco Pass Critical Wildlife Area. Photo by Alyssa Cavanaugh.
Least Tern (Sternula antillarum), a state-threatened species, observed on a potential nest at Big Marco Pass Critical Wildlife Area. Photo by Alyssa Cavanaugh.
Wilson’s Plover (Charadrius wilsonia) chick observed at Big Marco Pass Critical Wildlife Area. Photo by Alyssa Cavanaugh.
Florida Scrub Jay (Aphelocoma coerulescens) as observed in Indrio Savannahs Preserve during Jay Watch 2024 Photo by Alyssa Cavanaugh.
Black-and-white warbler (Mniotilta varia), handled by Marie Collette Lauzau, assessing the bird’s age based on alula feathers. All birds were handled and released with proper Federal and State licenses. Photo by Alyssa Cavanaugh.
Orchid Oriole (Icterus spurius), handled, assessed and banded by Marie Collette Lauzau. All birds were handled and released with proper Federal and State licenses. Photo by Alyssa Cavanaugh.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus), handled, assessed and banded by Marie Collette Lauzau. All birds were handled and released with proper Federal and State licenses. Photo by Alyssa Cavanaugh.
Commentaires