Shelby Bauer Email and Phone Number

A team of social scientists, engineers, and ecologists at UGA, Vanderbilt University, and Oak Ridge Associated Universities are co-producing a planning grant application for a social science center designed to address “water crises” in the southeastern United States. As a graduate student and ecologist assisting on this project, I participate in workshops with principal investigators and collaborators and summarized the results of these workshops and related co-productions.

As a lecture TA for general ecology, I graded exams and assignments and held weekly drop-in hours.

GDOT biologists and engineers coproduced a research proposal with UGA researchers to study “best practices for bridge and culvert designs that reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions (WVC) and improve climate resilience.”As a graduate research assistant and biologist assisting on this project, I led and carried out a structured but preliminary literature review of bridge and culvert design specifications that may reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions and facilitate wildlife movement through hydrologic structures.

Butler Fellows support River Basin Center (RBC) research and student affiliate engagement as needed, but this fellowship is designed to allow students to focus on their graduate studies.As a Butler Fellow, I planned and conducted my thesis. For my master's thesis, I investigated how hydrologic processes affect the distribution of stream-breeding salamander abundance and nutrient transport. In carrying out this study, I…• analyzed spatial data to prioritize sampling efforts,• planned data collection,• estimated personnel hours, equipment, materials, and schedules,• secured funding for equipment, materials, laboratory analyses, travel, and lodging,• led and coordinated the work of a rotating team of 4 to 12 technicians and volunteers across three 9- to 14-day sampling events of 158 plots (volunteers and technicians totaled 23 persons),• modified a novel biological technique for LHRH application, • modified an established biological technique for temporary stream breeding salamander housing, • carried out an analysis of organismal phosphorus content,• measured the phosphorus content of stream-breeding salamander eggs colorimetrically using the ammonium molybdate method,• co-produced an integrated hierarchical model of plethodontid salamander abundance in a Bayesian framework. • wrangled and conducted quality assurance of several large, integrated dataset (approximately 60hrs over 6 months).

The USGS – FRESC, Adams Herpetological Research Lab conducts amphibian research and monitoring in the Pacific Northwest as a part of the United States Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative. During the 2021 field season, technicians… • performed egg mass surveys, • collected genetic material for a small and isolated populations study, • collected tissue and swab samples for a disease and toxicology study, • carried out capture-mark-recapture surveys,• conducted broad-scale amphibian inventories.• identified Oregon spotted frog egg mass Gosner stage.As crew lead, I • led the crew on all projects,• participated in weekly planning, • assisted in conducting crew training. • assisted in training and supervising an Ecological Society of America (ESA) intern,• estimated weekly equipment, materials, and schedules,• maintained readiness to provide first aid to field crew,During the 2021 field season, Standard Adams Lab fieldwork was also carried out (More details regarding the nature of this work can be seen under the description of GG-404-5).

The UTRGV Kline lab was contracted by the State of Texas to plan and conduct a study of the habitat characteristics associated with the presence of Black-spotted newts and to establish a new eDNA survey method for the species. In the fall and winter of 2020, technicians collected eDNA, water quality, and soil samples in the field. For this, I…• collected and filtered eDNA water samples,• used an Auger to collect soil samples,• used a Hach Portable Multi Meter Water Quality Sonde, Pocket Pro Salinity Tester, and Water Quality Strips to collect water quality data,• stitched, stacked, and conducted a QA/QC inventory of multispectral imagery, • wrote a comprehensive instructional guide to stitching and stacking multispectral imagery.Beginning in 2021, the project's focus shifted to collecting preliminary data on habitat and microclimate for habitat characterization and species distribution modeling (i.e. occupancy modeling). For this part of the project, I…• planned and conducted preliminary data collection and analysis.• estimated personnel, equipment, and materials.• deployed a Sentek Drill and Drop Soil Probe, Kestrel data loggers, and EliTech data loggers.• wrote a report of preliminary study findings.

The USGS – FRESC, Adams Herpetological Research Lab conducts amphibian research and monitoring in the Pacific Northwest as a part of the United States Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative. During the 2020 season, technicians conducted standard capture-mark-recapture projects and broad-scale amphibian inventories. As a technician, I… • followed established scientific protocols,• identified various developmental stages of amphibians of the Pacific Northwest,• conducted Capture-Mark-Recapture (CMR) surveys, • captured frogs with the use of dip-nets and mesh minnow traps,• safely handled amphibians and adhered to handling-hygiene protocols,• collected frog tissue samples in the field using sterile surgical techniques and swabbing,• marked frogs using a toe clipping technique and accurately read those marks,• surgically implanted Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags in anurans,• identified individual anurans using a PIT tag scanner,• used a YSI water quality meter to obtain pH, temperature, and conductance data,• used Sterivex filters to obtain water quality samples,• entered quantified variables into PenDragon digital forms on a tablet,• collected spatial data via Garmin Global Positioning System (GPS) and Samsung tablet,• navigated in the backcountry using maps, a compass, and GPS,• backpacked or car camped on 4-to-6-day trips,• drove a government-owned four-wheel vehicle safely in adverse conditions,• managed and maintained gear and equipment,• followed safety protocols and check-in procedures with the use of InReach Satellite,• entered data into a Microsoft Access database,• conducted a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) protocol on raw data in the field and office.

The USGS – FRESC, Adams Herpetological Research Lab conducts amphibian research and monitoring in the Pacific Northwest as a part of the United States Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative. During the 2019 field season, technicians performed eDNA sampling for the Foothills yellow-legged frogs, collected crawfish tissue samples to create DNA Primers, and carried out capture-mark-recapture surveys for the Oregon spotted frog. As crew lead, I… • led the field crew for the 2019 Foothills yellow-legged frog eDNA Pre-listing Project, • planned weekly logistics,• estimated equipment, materials, and schedules,• assisted in training and supervising an ESA intern,• supported a Forest Service shadow who joined the crew for a field day,• maintained readiness to provide first aid to the field crew,• engaged with private and public landowners to gain access to survey sites,• collected eDNA water samples,• characterized habitat in lotic systems,• used a densiometer to estimate canopy cover,• used a rangefinder to measure the wetted width of lotic systems,• identified the thalweg and measured the flow and depth of lotic systems,• captured, identified, and collected crayfish to create DNA primers,• traversed boulders in a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

The USFWS at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge collaborates with the USGS to better understand and support the refuge's frosted flatwood salamander (AMCI) population. In the spring of 2019, refuge staff monitored the local AMCI population and began to assess the quantity of AMCI habitat. Staff also began an ARMI project with eastern newts, continued red-cockaded woodpecker management, and prescribed fire across the refuge. In this position, I…• established a new method and procedure to map the area of potential frosted flatwood salamander habitat,• helped plan and conduct field operations for an ARMI CMR Disease and Monitoring project with eastern newts,• planned and conducted the 2019 frosted flatwoods salamander occupancy survey field operations,• led and trained the intern crew on project protocols and local aquatic invertebrates, fish, and amphibian identification, • inserted Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) and Visible Implant Alphanumeric (VIA) tags into eastern newts,• maintained and monitored two drift fences and PIT arrays,• used bucket traps and plastic 3D printed minnow traps to capture frosted flatwood salamander larvae and inventory wetland invertebrates and fish,• identified amphibians of the Florida Panhandle to species,• identified aquatic invertebrates of the Florida Panhandle to family,• monitored larval development and macroinvertebrate supply across approximately 48 cattle tanks,• inserted PIT and Visible Implant Elastomer (VIE) tags into metamorphosed frosted flatwood salamanders,• used and calibrated YSI water quality meter,• used maps and a Garmin GPS to navigate on foot,• used a Trimble GPS to map wetland perimeters,• managed and maintained gear and equipment,• drove a government-owned four-wheel vehicle safely in adverse conditions,• assisted with red-cockaded woodpecker nest checks (120hrs),• assisted as a trainee with ignitions and roadside control of four prescribed burns (44hrs).

The USGS FRESC Adams Lab conducts amphibian research and monitoring in the Pacific Northwest as a part of ARMI, the United States Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative. During the 2018 field season, technicians worked on several capture-mark-recapture projects and a telemetry project focusing on Oregon spotted frogs and their habitat. As a technician, I… • insert PIT tags into ranid frogs,• obtained toe clips from ranid frogs for genetic analysis and identification,• determine mass, SUL and, sex of ranid frogs,• used Sterivex filters to obtain water quality samples,• used YSI water quality meter to obtain pH, temperature, conductance,• fit and adhered radio transmitters using silk ribbon and cotton thread to ranid frogs,• located or triangulate belted frogs within half a meter,• identify reptiles, amphibians, fish, and aquatic vegetation found in the eastern cascades,• used a clinometer to estimate the shade cast over a body of water,• utilized tablets to record data in the field, • utilized maps, Garmin GPS, and a Garmin GLO to navigate to and identify study locations,• navigated down streams and throughout a reservoir in a canoe 3 to 4 days a week for three months,• safely operated a government-owned 4x4 vehicle on rural and backcountry roads in snow,

The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Friends Group funds two biological interns to assist with the frosted flatwood salamander project each winter and spring. 2018 interns also partook in red-cockaded woodpecker surveys and various other activities across the refuge. • Deployed and retrieved HOBO data loggers.• Assisted in emergency larval and metamorphosed frosted flatwood salamander husbandry.• Used a spotting scope to record red-cockaded woodpecker leg bands (12hrs)• Used a pole and camera system to check red-cockaded woodpecker nest cavities (36hrs)• Retrieved and banded red-cockaded woodpecker chicks (8hrs)• Removed and aged deer jawbones at refuge hunt check stations (20hrs)• Set up and monitored camera traps for feral hog control.• Assisted various visiting biologists with data collection across the refuge, including American oystercatcher surveys (5hrs), manatee habitat assessments (8hrs), and seagrass assessments (16hrs).Carried out standard frosted flatwood salamander occupancy fieldwork as described above.

The Scientific and Natural Areas (SNA) Program preserves natural features and rare resources of exceptional scientific and educational value in Minnesota. Conservation Corps members placed in the Department of Natural Resources' SNA program helped to manage SNA social media and outreach.• Created science communication content for the SNA Facebook page• Analyzed and monitored the SNA Facebook page with Facebook Insights and Google Analytics• Created the SNA Science Outreach Initiative: a self-directed project aiming to match the efforts of local researchers and educators to SNA research priorities, increase the accessibility of site-specific data, and increase the inclusivity of SNA outreach.

Weyerhaeuser Inc. collaborates with OSU professor, Tiffany Garcia, to better understand the impacts of logging on Oregon slender salamander populations. During 2016, technicians conducted occupancy surveys for Oregon slender salamanders and Ensatina salamanders in managed timberlands for pre-and post-harvest evaluations.• Navigated logging roads in a four-wheel-drive vehicle.• Used maps, a compass, and a GPS to orient to and within survey units.• Used the Avenza phone app to determine an appropriate azimuth.• Established in-field distance pacing confidence, 1-meter increments.• Conducted light touch surveys of downed woody debris and leaf litter.• Identified PNW salamanders to the species level.• Characterized microhabitat of survey units.• Recorded species observed and habitat characteristics on paper forms in the field.