Kelsey Bernard Email & Phone Number

Los Angeles, California, United States

Cougar Conservancy's mission is to reduce human-wildlife conflict and conserve cougar populations through science based management and conservation.

Studying social organization, predator-prey relationships and overall reintroduction success of wolves in Isle Royale National Park.

Nez Perce Clearwater National Forest

- Collected channel survey data pertaining to salmonid spawning and rearing habitat (cobble embeddedness, pebble counts, pool tail finds, channel slope, channel width and amount of woody debris).- Navigated to remote predetermined sites using maps, compass and GPS.- Backpacked and lived under primitive conditions for extended periods.- Carried 30 pound equipment packs.- Sampled for species in streams across the forest using eDNA procedures. - Operated HACH FH1950 and ISCO to collect hydrology data (stream gaging, velocity, water flow, etc.)- Removed around 150 fish from restoration site using backpack electrofishers.- Deployed and received Hobo temperature sensors for thermograph data. - Collected stream habitat survey data for Forest Plan Monitoring data collected included, channel classification and stability evaluation, physical fish habitat and channel conditions, riparian habitat conditions and factors affecting fish habitat capability.

Pullman Wa

- Followed IACUC protocol, feeding, cleaning tanks weekly and responsible for daily checkups of 45 salamanders. - Responsible for keeping records of salamander health and laboratory room conditions.- Collection of reproduction data to evaluate the effects of changing temperature.- Assisted in anesthetizing D. ocoee females in MS-222.- Measured body mass, body length (snout-vent length), tail length and tail width.- Dissected females to count and measure the number of eggs and collected blood for hormone analysis.- Read and discussed literature pertaining research of interest weekly.

Pullman Wa

- Followed IACUC protocol, feeding, cleaning tanks and keeping data records of 50 rainbow trout 4 hours per week. - Assured proper conditions to maximize health, including maintaining temperature, water pH and water quality. - Collected fish data (weight, length and picture measurements), made behavioral observations and analyzed data in research experiments, achieving a low stress experience for the fish. - Engaged in weekly laboratory meetings discussing logistics concerning lab as well as engaging in literature regarding our current interests.