Join Ashley Evans, Wildlife Biologist with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, for a talk on her graduate thesis research on bighorn sheep in Dominguez-Escalante NCA.
When: February 17th from 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Where: Virtual - a link will be sent to you prior to the event
What: In recent decades, outdoor recreation in the United States has increased dramatically, with continued increases projected in the coming years as well as the expansion of recreation infrastructure. Recreational disturbance has been shown to impact ungulate populations, and desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis ssp.) can be particularly vulnerable susceptible to disturbance. Our goal was to determine the impacts of recreation on desert bighorn sheep behavior and stress in the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area. We monitored recreation activity using game cameras and created models to predict the recreational use on the most heavily used trails. We assessed the differences in desert bighorn sheep foraging and vigilance behaviors as well as stress levels. The results of this study can be used to inform land and recreation management, however some unique characteristics of the Dominguez-Escalante system likely influenced how desert bighorn sheep reacted to recreation in this area.
This event is free and open to the public.
About the speaker
Ashley Evans grew up in the Finger Lakes region of New York and graduated from Paul Smith’s College with a bachelor’s degree in Fish and Wildlife Science. Following graduation, she worked as a wildlife technician with California Department of Fish and Wildlife on the desert bighorn sheep management program. After sweltering in the Mojave Desert for four years, Ashley began graduate school at New Mexico State University where she earned a master’s degree in Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Ecology. Her thesis research examined the influence of human recreation on desert bighorn sheep behavior and stress in the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area, Colorado. Following graduation, she returned to upstate NY and accepted a position as a Wildlife Biologist with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. In her free time, Ashley enjoys canoe and Nordic ski racing, horseback riding, board games, and baking.