Jenny McKee
@jennymckee.bsky.social
Research Scientist @ University of Wyoming | PhD @wakeforest.bsky.social with #seabirds | freelance science journalist | she/her
New study on mule deer in Wyoming reveals that migration is critical to maintain a robust population. I got the chance to chat with lead author Anna Ortega and @wyokauffman.bsky.social about their recent @currentbiology.bsky.social research: www.uwyo.edu/news/2026/02...
Migration Pays Off: Study Links Long-Distance Movement of Mule Deer to Robust Population Growth
Ungulate migration has fascinated people for millennia. In the Western United States, ungulates such as elk, bison and mule deer migrate each spring and fall, navigating snow, predators and human infr...
www.uwyo.edu
February 5, 2026 at 7:53 PM
New study on mule deer in Wyoming reveals that migration is critical to maintain a robust population. I got the chance to chat with lead author Anna Ortega and @wyokauffman.bsky.social about their recent @currentbiology.bsky.social research: www.uwyo.edu/news/2026/02...
Reposted by Jenny McKee
PhD lab still putting out papers on Nazca boobies in Galapagos 🧪🌍🪶 #Ornithology
The latest @wakeforest.bsky.social @wfubiology.bsky.social Nazca booby research is LIVE! I helped lead data collection for this paper when I was a PhD student, but WFU alum '23 (now PhD student) @treyursillo.bsky.social led the analysis! 👏 Great work, Trey!
doi.org/10.3389/fbir...
doi.org/10.3389/fbir...
Frontiers | Sex-specific colony attendance before and during the fertilization window in Nazca boobies
Nazca boobies (Sula granti), a colonial pelagic seabird, face a tradeoff before egg production between foraging at sea and mating effort on land. All individ...
doi.org
February 4, 2026 at 11:49 PM
PhD lab still putting out papers on Nazca boobies in Galapagos 🧪🌍🪶 #Ornithology
The latest @wakeforest.bsky.social @wfubiology.bsky.social Nazca booby research is LIVE! I helped lead data collection for this paper when I was a PhD student, but WFU alum '23 (now PhD student) @treyursillo.bsky.social led the analysis! 👏 Great work, Trey!
doi.org/10.3389/fbir...
doi.org/10.3389/fbir...
Frontiers | Sex-specific colony attendance before and during the fertilization window in Nazca boobies
Nazca boobies (Sula granti), a colonial pelagic seabird, face a tradeoff before egg production between foraging at sea and mating effort on land. All individ...
doi.org
February 4, 2026 at 1:08 AM
The latest @wakeforest.bsky.social @wfubiology.bsky.social Nazca booby research is LIVE! I helped lead data collection for this paper when I was a PhD student, but WFU alum '23 (now PhD student) @treyursillo.bsky.social led the analysis! 👏 Great work, Trey!
doi.org/10.3389/fbir...
doi.org/10.3389/fbir...
Reposted by Jenny McKee
TODAY is the deadline to submit public comment on Trump’s proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule, which would expose 45 million acres of national forest to permanent roads and their attendant environmental ills. Register your disapproval here:
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
#roadecology
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
#roadecology
Special Areas; Roadless Area Conservation; National Forest System Lands
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is initiating an environmental impact statement (EIS) and rulemaking concerning management of inventoried roadless areas on approximately 44.7 million acres of Natio...
www.federalregister.gov
September 19, 2025 at 3:51 PM
TODAY is the deadline to submit public comment on Trump’s proposal to rescind the Roadless Rule, which would expose 45 million acres of national forest to permanent roads and their attendant environmental ills. Register your disapproval here:
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
#roadecology
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
#roadecology
Reposted by Jenny McKee
Applications are NOW OPEN for Smith Fellows conservation research Fellowships beginning in 2026! View the Proposal Guidelines and apply here: www.smithfellows.org/join-us
Become a Fellow — Smith Fellows
www.smithfellows.org
June 20, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Applications are NOW OPEN for Smith Fellows conservation research Fellowships beginning in 2026! View the Proposal Guidelines and apply here: www.smithfellows.org/join-us
Reposted by Jenny McKee
our paper on how light pollution affects bird vocal behavior is out today in Science!!
w/ @brentpease.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
w/ @brentpease.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
August 21, 2025 at 11:01 PM
our paper on how light pollution affects bird vocal behavior is out today in Science!!
w/ @brentpease.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
w/ @brentpease.bsky.social
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Jenny McKee
After a decade of carnage, we finally know what’s devastating sea stars along North America’s west coast. For the most in-depth coverage of this breakthrough finding, don't miss this piece by @craigwelch.bsky.social in @biographic.bsky.social 🔗 tinyurl.com/2bmjdjex
Unmasking the Sea Star Killer
After a decade of carnage, we finally know what’s devastating sea stars along North America’s West Coast. Does that mean scientists can save them?
tinyurl.com
August 5, 2025 at 9:25 PM
After a decade of carnage, we finally know what’s devastating sea stars along North America’s west coast. For the most in-depth coverage of this breakthrough finding, don't miss this piece by @craigwelch.bsky.social in @biographic.bsky.social 🔗 tinyurl.com/2bmjdjex
I started reporting and writing this story in May 2024, then had a baby, then reported more to learn project updates, and FINALLY our story is live! Check it out to learn more about the decline of a common species, and an ambitious project trying to understand why.
www.audubon.org/magazine/sol...
www.audubon.org/magazine/sol...
To Solve the Mallard's Mysterious Decline, Researchers Turn to Hi-Tech Trackers
Biologists are using the devices to better understand the bird's behavior and, ultimately, what might be driving our most common duck's population drop.
www.audubon.org
June 25, 2025 at 5:02 PM
I started reporting and writing this story in May 2024, then had a baby, then reported more to learn project updates, and FINALLY our story is live! Check it out to learn more about the decline of a common species, and an ambitious project trying to understand why.
www.audubon.org/magazine/sol...
www.audubon.org/magazine/sol...
In March, the U.S. Air Force proposed to build a rocket landing site on remote Johnston Atoll, which formerly hosted a chemical weapon incineration plant and is now a seabird haven.
Read my latest for @audubon.org about why this project would be so bad for wildlife:
www.audubon.org/magazine/rem...
Read my latest for @audubon.org about why this project would be so bad for wildlife:
www.audubon.org/magazine/rem...
A Remote, Protected Seabird Paradise May Soon Host a Rocket Landing Site
The proposed U.S. Air Force project could disturb unique nesting habitat for multitudes of birds, including 10,000-plus Red-footed Boobies and more than a third of all Red-tailed Tropicbirds.
www.audubon.org
June 25, 2025 at 1:44 PM
In March, the U.S. Air Force proposed to build a rocket landing site on remote Johnston Atoll, which formerly hosted a chemical weapon incineration plant and is now a seabird haven.
Read my latest for @audubon.org about why this project would be so bad for wildlife:
www.audubon.org/magazine/rem...
Read my latest for @audubon.org about why this project would be so bad for wildlife:
www.audubon.org/magazine/rem...
Reposted by Jenny McKee
Wyoming deer are heading to the high country, some will travel up to 150 miles. Amazing - and necessary - movements across vast swaths of YOUR public lands. Follow along for weekly updates!
June 12, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Wyoming deer are heading to the high country, some will travel up to 150 miles. Amazing - and necessary - movements across vast swaths of YOUR public lands. Follow along for weekly updates!
Reposted by Jenny McKee
A federal judge signaled plans to extend the freeze on mass layoffs across major federal agencies, citing concerns over the constitutionality of the Trump administration's actions. buff.ly/7sWn7bR #federalworkers #layoffs
Judge says she is inclined to further pause layoffs at most major agencies
RIF plans have been frozen for two weeks, but federal court suggests they are unconstitutional and implementation will remain prohibited indefinitely.
www.govexec.com
May 22, 2025 at 8:19 PM
A federal judge signaled plans to extend the freeze on mass layoffs across major federal agencies, citing concerns over the constitutionality of the Trump administration's actions. buff.ly/7sWn7bR #federalworkers #layoffs
Reposted by Jenny McKee
Hi #chemsky #scisky folks--I'd love to collect some community responses to this cut-back on GRFP awards for @cenmag.bsky.social story. If you have thoughts about the situation, please please get in touch--and share with your network!
My DMs are open, and I'm also reachable by email or Signal :)
My DMs are open, and I'm also reachable by email or Signal :)
Quick look at NSF GRFPs awarded 2021-2025. Overall 50% drop from 2024, with biggest absolute decreases in engineering, life sciences and chemistry.
(sorry about the meh viz, in a hurry)
(sorry about the meh viz, in a hurry)
April 9, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Hi #chemsky #scisky folks--I'd love to collect some community responses to this cut-back on GRFP awards for @cenmag.bsky.social story. If you have thoughts about the situation, please please get in touch--and share with your network!
My DMs are open, and I'm also reachable by email or Signal :)
My DMs are open, and I'm also reachable by email or Signal :)
Reposted by Jenny McKee
And yes. I know they are not real dire wolves. I know they are genetically modified grey wolves with a few tweaked genes. I know. I in fact wrote about this. Myself. teamtrash.substack.com/p/is-it-a-di...
April 10, 2025 at 4:25 PM
And yes. I know they are not real dire wolves. I know they are genetically modified grey wolves with a few tweaked genes. I know. I in fact wrote about this. Myself. teamtrash.substack.com/p/is-it-a-di...
I recently published a short review of an adorable book about bird nests for @ababirds.bsky.social!
www.aba.org/bird-nests-a...
www.aba.org/bird-nests-a...
Bird Nests Across the World - American Birding Association
Identifying birds can challenge any level of birder—especially those musically challenged, like myself, who struggle to name common species by their calls and chip notes. Toss in nonbreeding plumages ...
www.aba.org
March 25, 2025 at 11:53 PM
I recently published a short review of an adorable book about bird nests for @ababirds.bsky.social!
www.aba.org/bird-nests-a...
www.aba.org/bird-nests-a...
Reposted by Jenny McKee
was your vaccine-related NIH grant terminated? please reach out: @katherinejwu.12 on Signal
March 11, 2025 at 1:24 PM
was your vaccine-related NIH grant terminated? please reach out: @katherinejwu.12 on Signal
Reposted by Jenny McKee
I worry that the focus on NOAA's weather predicting value is ignoring the millions of other ways NOAA researchers enrich communities and local economies.
There are no oysters without NOAA. There are no blue crabs without NOAA. NOAA trains teachers. NOAA is the lifeblood of coastal communities.
There are no oysters without NOAA. There are no blue crabs without NOAA. NOAA trains teachers. NOAA is the lifeblood of coastal communities.
March 1, 2025 at 7:15 PM
I worry that the focus on NOAA's weather predicting value is ignoring the millions of other ways NOAA researchers enrich communities and local economies.
There are no oysters without NOAA. There are no blue crabs without NOAA. NOAA trains teachers. NOAA is the lifeblood of coastal communities.
There are no oysters without NOAA. There are no blue crabs without NOAA. NOAA trains teachers. NOAA is the lifeblood of coastal communities.
Reposted by Jenny McKee
can't believe it's 2025 and i'm stressed about tariffs and measles, like am i a character in an american girl book
March 3, 2025 at 9:09 PM
can't believe it's 2025 and i'm stressed about tariffs and measles, like am i a character in an american girl book
The 5th volume of our USGS report series on #ungulate migrations across the Western U.S. is LIVE! I am so proud to have contributed to this huge effort that maps 36 new herds, bringing the total to 218 herds mapped—an incredible feat! 👏 Read the report & download data: pubs.usgs.gov/publication/...
February 11, 2025 at 7:39 PM
The 5th volume of our USGS report series on #ungulate migrations across the Western U.S. is LIVE! I am so proud to have contributed to this huge effort that maps 36 new herds, bringing the total to 218 herds mapped—an incredible feat! 👏 Read the report & download data: pubs.usgs.gov/publication/...
Reposted by Jenny McKee
When was the last record of the Eskimo Curlew? Of the Heath Hen? I wrote about eBird checklists that contain the last instances of extinct species. www.audubon.org/magazine/the...
These eBird Checklists Document Some of the Last Sightings of Extinct U.S. Species
As more and more "historical" checklists are added to the platform, birds we've lost now mingle with those still hanging on.
www.audubon.org
February 11, 2025 at 6:45 PM
When was the last record of the Eskimo Curlew? Of the Heath Hen? I wrote about eBird checklists that contain the last instances of extinct species. www.audubon.org/magazine/the...
Reposted by Jenny McKee
Volume 5 published, bringing the total to 218 mapped migration of ungulate herds across the American West. Tremendous effort by our team @USGS, Univ. of Wyoming, @uoregon.bsky.social and the many State and Tribal partners who have tracked animals across big landscapes. www.uwyo.edu/news/2025/02...
More Than 200 Big-Game Migrations Now Mapped Across American West
Wildlife managers, scientists and conservationists have a more complete ecological map of the American West with the release today (Thursday) of 36 new big-game migration routes by the U.S. Geological...
www.uwyo.edu
February 7, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Volume 5 published, bringing the total to 218 mapped migration of ungulate herds across the American West. Tremendous effort by our team @USGS, Univ. of Wyoming, @uoregon.bsky.social and the many State and Tribal partners who have tracked animals across big landscapes. www.uwyo.edu/news/2025/02...
Hi all! Great to have so many new followers here! I'm Jenny, an ecologist and science writer. I'm currently on maternity leave, snuggling with our adorable son, Luke 😍
December 2, 2024 at 1:03 AM
Hi all! Great to have so many new followers here! I'm Jenny, an ecologist and science writer. I'm currently on maternity leave, snuggling with our adorable son, Luke 😍
First paper published from my postdoc at University of Wyoming! We got into the nitty-gritty details of mapping #ungulate migrations, proposing & testing a useful way to analyze datasets that have infrequently collected GPS data: the Fixed Motion Variance method. Read more 👇
doi.org/10.1002/ecs2...
doi.org/10.1002/ecs2...
Estimating ungulate migration corridors from sparse movement data
Many ungulates migrate between distinct summer and winter ranges, and identifying, mapping, and conserving these migration corridors have become a focus of local, regional, and global conservation ef....
doi.org
September 20, 2024 at 7:58 PM
First paper published from my postdoc at University of Wyoming! We got into the nitty-gritty details of mapping #ungulate migrations, proposing & testing a useful way to analyze datasets that have infrequently collected GPS data: the Fixed Motion Variance method. Read more 👇
doi.org/10.1002/ecs2...
doi.org/10.1002/ecs2...
The Global Initiative on Ungulate Migration's new Atlas of Ungulate Migration that was unveiled today is STUNNING! 👏 Kudos to all who made this happen! See migrations and download corridor files and fact sheets from mule deer, wildebeest, guanaco, and more: www.cms.int/gium/resourc...
September 4, 2024 at 6:05 PM
The Global Initiative on Ungulate Migration's new Atlas of Ungulate Migration that was unveiled today is STUNNING! 👏 Kudos to all who made this happen! See migrations and download corridor files and fact sheets from mule deer, wildebeest, guanaco, and more: www.cms.int/gium/resourc...
Y'all, do yourself a favor and read Kenn Kaufman's new book, "The Birds That Audubon Missed"! It covers the main players and early history of ornithology in North America, including John James Audubon, and is a true joy to read.
Check out my review for @amornith.bsky.social! doi.org/10.1093/orni...
Check out my review for @amornith.bsky.social! doi.org/10.1093/orni...
The Birds That Audubon Missed: Discovery and Desire in the American Wilderness
doi.org
July 26, 2024 at 6:14 PM
Y'all, do yourself a favor and read Kenn Kaufman's new book, "The Birds That Audubon Missed"! It covers the main players and early history of ornithology in North America, including John James Audubon, and is a true joy to read.
Check out my review for @amornith.bsky.social! doi.org/10.1093/orni...
Check out my review for @amornith.bsky.social! doi.org/10.1093/orni...
Looking for a new book to read this summer? Check out Holly Hogan's "Message in a Bottle"! You'll learn about the effects of plastic pollution on seabirds, and travel to seabird islands through the wonderful descriptive imagery.
Check out my review for @amornith.bsky.social!
doi.org/10.1093/orni...
Check out my review for @amornith.bsky.social!
doi.org/10.1093/orni...
Message in A Bottle: Ocean Dispatches From A Seabird Biologist
doi.org
June 6, 2024 at 1:32 PM
Looking for a new book to read this summer? Check out Holly Hogan's "Message in a Bottle"! You'll learn about the effects of plastic pollution on seabirds, and travel to seabird islands through the wonderful descriptive imagery.
Check out my review for @amornith.bsky.social!
doi.org/10.1093/orni...
Check out my review for @amornith.bsky.social!
doi.org/10.1093/orni...