Dave Sperry Email & Phone Number

Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Area

As part of ERDC's compliance group, I assist DoD and Federal agencies development and implementation of environmental and safety compliance programs by providing a standardized set of compliance tools. Additionally we provide external environmental audits and auditor training for the Federal agencies. Tools in which we have developed and manage include: U.S. TEAM Guide and supplements, FedCenter.gov, and CPTrack.

Mr. Sperry is a Wildlife and Conservation Biologist responsible for performing suitable habitat assessments, threatened and endangered species accounts, and other technical surveys; including information gathering, data collection, and sampling. Mr. Sperry has more than 19 years of scientific research experience in sampling and monitoring a variety of flora and fauna. Mr. Sperry’s research and monitoring experiences have focused on avian response to and nest survival in managed habitats.Mr. Sperry has extensive experience with both Golden-Cheeked Warblers (GCWA) and Black-Capped Vireos (BCVI). His experience with both species started in 2005 when he spend two years assisting Fort Hood Natural Resources Department collecting demographic data on BCVI. Each year he monitored over 20 territorial males and recorded breeding data, banded individuals, and assessed fecundity. During the two years, Mr. Sperry conducted 100’s of census point counts recording locations of both BCVI and GWCA on the military installation. In 2007, Mr. Sperry started working at Baer Engineering with a focus on threatened and endangered species in the Austin area. His work regularly entails coordination with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Program, and Williamson County Conservation Foundation. Coordination typically results in municipal project clearance from jurisdictional agencies. In addition, he has conducted several presence/absence surveys following U.S. FWS protocols for GCWA and BCVI on City of Austin and City of Lakeway owned properties.

Fort Hood, Texas

Assisted with various natural resource research and monitoring on Fort Hood Military Installation.Assisted in the monitoring and research efforts on the Black-capped Vireo. Used mist nets to catch and color band adults. In addition, searched for and monitored nests, delineated territories, and banded nestlings. Performed point count surveys for all local avian species. Conducted vegetation measurements around nest site locations. Conducted prescribe fires in grassland habitats to prevent the intrusion of Juniper Ashe. Assisted with trapping and transportation of feral hogs. Assisted in identifying, documenting and controlling oak-wilt within core Golden-cheeked Warbler habitat.Publications:Sperry, D., D.A. Cimprich and J. Marquess. 2007. Beak deformity in the endangered Black- capped Vireo. North American Bird Bander 32:1-3.Kostecke, R.M, D. Sperry and D.A. Cimprich. 2006. Second record of an American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) breeding on the Edwards Plateau. Bulletin of the Texas Ornithological Society 39:1-2.

Corvallis, Oregon Area

Project: Avian Use of Riparian Areas in Oregon’s Coastal RangeInvestigated habitat use by birds in various riparian areas. Examined difference between deciduous dominated and conifer dominated riparian habitats. Assessed species diversity and abundance of birds with point count censuses. Monitored nest success of natural nests and observed breeding and foraging behavior of Chestnut-backed Chickadees in artificial nest boxes.

Juneau, Alaska

Field technician on a variety of research projects focusing on avian breeding success in old growth and second growth forests.

Master'S Degree, Wildlife Biology

Thesis Project: Productivity of Songbirds in Post-logging Beach Buffer Strips on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. Description: Documented.

Bachelor'S Degree, Double Major Biology And Environmental Science