Erek Valesky

Education:

B.S. in Biology, James Madison University, 2024

·         Concentration in Ecology and Environmental Biology

Research/Interests:

This is my second year as a seasonal member of the Shrike Monitoring and Release Team on San Clemente Island. My interest in ornithology began as a student at James Madison University where I studied song flexibility in gray catbirds as a field and lab assistant for a PhD student. During my time in the Shenandoah Valley, I also worked on a project that monitored the growth of newly planted native tree saplings as part of a government program and a project mapping the range shift in native North American damselfly species over the past few decades. I am excited to continue developing my career as a member of IWS and ready to face the challenges that come as a part of this project!