This Month in Conservation Science: January 2026
In December, our team gathered for winter hike and holiday lunch to celebrate a year full of accomplishments and to gear up for the year ahead!
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VWL Updates
We are thrilled to share that VWL Survey and Volunteer Coordinator Erin Shibley is now a National Geographic Explorer! In addition to leading the Annual Grassland Biodiversity Surveys, Erin is leading a research project investigating how habitat and landscape diversity impact bat community structure and foraging activity patterns on working lands. In 2025, we received three grants, including one from the National Geographic Society, supporting this research.
Congratulations to VWL research fellow, Allison Huysman, on becoming a PhD candidate – bringing her one step closer to receiving her doctoral degree! During her time as a VWL fellow, Allison has been studying the ecosystem services provided by cavity-nesting birds on working lands under VWL’s Program Director, Dr. Amy Johnson and Dr. Daniel Gruner at the University of Maryland’s Department of Entomology.