Robert & Patricia Switzer Foundation

Fellowship Year: 2011

Academic Background: UC Davis - Ph.D. - (Conservation Management)

Tavis Forrester’s projects include the community ecology of large mammal predator-prey interactions and citizen science in conservation, and he works to combine ecology theory and natural history to contribute to applied conservation. Tavis is a PhD candidate at the University of California, Davis, where he is also pursuing a degree certificate in Conservation Management. His dissertation research focuses on the interactions between habitat and predation in black-tailed deer, and integrates the effects of ecosystem processes, community ecology, and individual behavioral responses to predation risk. Tavis’ conservation research is focused on developing a local citizen science initiative with UC Davis and Audubon California to gather data on the conservation value of private working landscapes, focusing on blue oak woodlands, one of the richest habitats in California. Tavis enjoys using his knowledge of natural history and experience teaching outdoor education to engage people with nature and bridge the gap between theoretical ecology and applied conservation. In the future he hopes to continue research on large mammal community ecology and use citizen science as a tool to engage people with the natural world and inspire support for conservation.

Expertise: Conservation Science & Biology, Environmental Education, Natural Resource Management