Justine A Smith
@justineasmith.bsky.social
Spatial ecology | Conservation behavior | Risk effects. Assoc prof @wfcbucdavis.bsky.social
Reposted by Justine A Smith
Conflict between humans & wildlife is expected to increase with drought and climate change, finds @ucdavis.bsky.social @uclaioes.bsky.social study. "If we can make it worse, then we can make it better,” says @kendallcalhoun.bsky.social. @justineasmith.bsky.social www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news...
How Climate Change Brings Wildlife to the Yard
As climate change increases the frequency of droughts, UCLA and UC Davis researchers found one overlooked side effect: People report more conflicts with wildlife during drought, when resources are sca...
www.ucdavis.edu
November 12, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Conflict between humans & wildlife is expected to increase with drought and climate change, finds @ucdavis.bsky.social @uclaioes.bsky.social study. "If we can make it worse, then we can make it better,” says @kendallcalhoun.bsky.social. @justineasmith.bsky.social www.ucdavis.edu/climate/news...
Job Alert! Assistant Prof of Fish Ecology at
@wfcbucdavis.bsky.social, with a focus on freshwater and anadromous coldwater fishes. This is a wonderful and supportive place to work. Please share with your fishy friends! recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07351
@wfcbucdavis.bsky.social, with a focus on freshwater and anadromous coldwater fishes. This is a wonderful and supportive place to work. Please share with your fishy friends! recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07351
Assistant Professor of Fish Ecology
University of California, Davis is hiring. Apply now!
recruit.ucdavis.edu
October 2, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Job Alert! Assistant Prof of Fish Ecology at
@wfcbucdavis.bsky.social, with a focus on freshwater and anadromous coldwater fishes. This is a wonderful and supportive place to work. Please share with your fishy friends! recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07351
@wfcbucdavis.bsky.social, with a focus on freshwater and anadromous coldwater fishes. This is a wonderful and supportive place to work. Please share with your fishy friends! recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07351
The COVID-19 lockdowns presented a natural experiment to examine how animals respond to recreation in National Parks. It's a lot more complicated than you might think:
How Wildlife Navigated National Parks Before and During the COVID ‘Anthropause’
The presence of humans and human infrastructure in U.S. national parks has lasting effects on the behaviors of the large animals that call them home, according to a new study.
www.ucdavis.edu
August 1, 2025 at 9:46 PM
The COVID-19 lockdowns presented a natural experiment to examine how animals respond to recreation in National Parks. It's a lot more complicated than you might think:
Herculean effort by @kaitlyngaynor.bsky.social and our incredible NPS colleagues to explore variation in wildlife responses to recreation across our National Parks. Come for the COVID-19 lockdown data, stay for the typologies of animal responses to human activity.
Large variation in wildlife responses to COVID-19 shutdowns in US National Parks. We also include some conceptual graphics on how to think about sensitive vs. habituated animals some of which benefit from being around people and others do not. doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
The influence of human presence and footprint on animal space use in US national parks | Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Given the importance of protected areas for biodiversity, the growth of visitation
to many areas has raised concerns about the effects of humans on wildlife. In 2020,
the COVID-19 pandemic led to temp...
doi.org
August 1, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Herculean effort by @kaitlyngaynor.bsky.social and our incredible NPS colleagues to explore variation in wildlife responses to recreation across our National Parks. Come for the COVID-19 lockdown data, stay for the typologies of animal responses to human activity.
Reposted by Justine A Smith
Large variation in wildlife responses to COVID-19 shutdowns in US National Parks. We also include some conceptual graphics on how to think about sensitive vs. habituated animals some of which benefit from being around people and others do not. doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
The influence of human presence and footprint on animal space use in US national parks | Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
Given the importance of protected areas for biodiversity, the growth of visitation
to many areas has raised concerns about the effects of humans on wildlife. In 2020,
the COVID-19 pandemic led to temp...
doi.org
July 31, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Large variation in wildlife responses to COVID-19 shutdowns in US National Parks. We also include some conceptual graphics on how to think about sensitive vs. habituated animals some of which benefit from being around people and others do not. doi.org/10.1098/rspb...
Reposted by Justine A Smith
Have you ever cited or come across a mention of the 'human shield hypothesis' and wondered: what is the evidence for this hypothesis, and what is the quality of that evidence? Wonder no more!
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The Human Shield Hypothesis: Does Predator Avoidance of Humans Create Refuges for Prey?
The human shield hypothesis posits that predators avoid areas of human disturbance due to perceived risk from humans, and prey therefore seeks refuge in these areas of perceived safety. Our systemati....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
June 17, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Have you ever cited or come across a mention of the 'human shield hypothesis' and wondered: what is the evidence for this hypothesis, and what is the quality of that evidence? Wonder no more!
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Justine A Smith
The CDFW Mountain Lion Conservation Program is looking to hire a new scientific aid. Early Career Scientists are encouraged to apply!
calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/...
Deadline is Monday May 26!
calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/...
Deadline is Monday May 26!
Mountain Lion Program Scientific Aid
Looking to make a difference? Join our strong and mighty workforce. We offer benefits and growth opportunities and impact the lives of millions of Californians.
calcareers.ca.gov
May 24, 2025 at 6:13 PM
The CDFW Mountain Lion Conservation Program is looking to hire a new scientific aid. Early Career Scientists are encouraged to apply!
calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/...
Deadline is Monday May 26!
calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/...
Deadline is Monday May 26!
JOB ALERT! We are hiring two seasonal field technicians for mid July - mid October to conduct research on mule deer in the Santa Monica Mountains, CA. The project is a collaboration between UC Davis and NPS. Ungulate capture experience preferred. Please share! jobs.rwfm.tamu.edu/view-job/?id...
Mule Deer Field Technician | Natural Resources Job Board
jobs.rwfm.tamu.edu
April 2, 2025 at 8:51 PM
JOB ALERT! We are hiring two seasonal field technicians for mid July - mid October to conduct research on mule deer in the Santa Monica Mountains, CA. The project is a collaboration between UC Davis and NPS. Ungulate capture experience preferred. Please share! jobs.rwfm.tamu.edu/view-job/?id...
Reposted by Justine A Smith
Hi All, please share widely, we're looking for technicians to help with our research on mule deer response to fire in the Santa Monica Mountains! This is an awesome team, exciting study, and fantastic location :)
jobs.rwfm.tamu.edu/view-job/?id...
jobs.rwfm.tamu.edu/view-job/?id...
Mule Deer Field Technician | Natural Resources Job Board
jobs.rwfm.tamu.edu
April 2, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Hi All, please share widely, we're looking for technicians to help with our research on mule deer response to fire in the Santa Monica Mountains! This is an awesome team, exciting study, and fantastic location :)
jobs.rwfm.tamu.edu/view-job/?id...
jobs.rwfm.tamu.edu/view-job/?id...
Reposted by Justine A Smith
Hello Bluesky! Good to see you all again!
Job alert: I'm looking to recruit a postdoc interested in working at the interface of AI and wildlife ecology, supported by the AI for Biodiversity Change (ABC) Global Center. Apply by April 15, 2025. gaynorlab.weebly.com/join-us.html
Job alert: I'm looking to recruit a postdoc interested in working at the interface of AI and wildlife ecology, supported by the AI for Biodiversity Change (ABC) Global Center. Apply by April 15, 2025. gaynorlab.weebly.com/join-us.html
March 21, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Hello Bluesky! Good to see you all again!
Job alert: I'm looking to recruit a postdoc interested in working at the interface of AI and wildlife ecology, supported by the AI for Biodiversity Change (ABC) Global Center. Apply by April 15, 2025. gaynorlab.weebly.com/join-us.html
Job alert: I'm looking to recruit a postdoc interested in working at the interface of AI and wildlife ecology, supported by the AI for Biodiversity Change (ABC) Global Center. Apply by April 15, 2025. gaynorlab.weebly.com/join-us.html
Reposted by Justine A Smith
ICYMI: the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included $350 million for new wildlife crossings—a program whose fate is now uncertain, jeopardizing driver safety and wildlife such as rare red wolves. So much to be outraged about, but... here's another thing.
By me, for Vox.
www.vox.com/down-to-eart...
By me, for Vox.
www.vox.com/down-to-eart...
Less than 20 red wolves remain in the wild. We had a plan to save them.
Then Trump got in the way.
www.vox.com
March 19, 2025 at 9:15 PM
ICYMI: the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included $350 million for new wildlife crossings—a program whose fate is now uncertain, jeopardizing driver safety and wildlife such as rare red wolves. So much to be outraged about, but... here's another thing.
By me, for Vox.
www.vox.com/down-to-eart...
By me, for Vox.
www.vox.com/down-to-eart...
Reposted by Justine A Smith
I emailed university faculty/staff/administrators a roadmap to support DEI through legal challenges, collective resistance, and institutional protections for faculty. The question isn’t whether institutions will comply—it’s who will fight back, and how! greencarelab.ucdavis.edu/how-universi...
This Is Not a Drill: How Universities Can Save DEI
By now, many of us have read the headlines: the U.S. Department of Education has ruled that race-based scholarships, cultural centers, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs violate...
greencarelab.ucdavis.edu
February 22, 2025 at 6:06 PM
I emailed university faculty/staff/administrators a roadmap to support DEI through legal challenges, collective resistance, and institutional protections for faculty. The question isn’t whether institutions will comply—it’s who will fight back, and how! greencarelab.ucdavis.edu/how-universi...
Reposted by Justine A Smith
Weeks of devastation, watching our scientific enterprise unravel.
Scientists/practitioners at NSF, NOAA, USGS, USDA, NPS, NIH, CDC... are tackling the greatest challenges, improving the lives of so many, protecting nature, and unraveling the world's mysteries.
Scientists/practitioners at NSF, NOAA, USGS, USDA, NPS, NIH, CDC... are tackling the greatest challenges, improving the lives of so many, protecting nature, and unraveling the world's mysteries.
February 19, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Weeks of devastation, watching our scientific enterprise unravel.
Scientists/practitioners at NSF, NOAA, USGS, USDA, NPS, NIH, CDC... are tackling the greatest challenges, improving the lives of so many, protecting nature, and unraveling the world's mysteries.
Scientists/practitioners at NSF, NOAA, USGS, USDA, NPS, NIH, CDC... are tackling the greatest challenges, improving the lives of so many, protecting nature, and unraveling the world's mysteries.
Reposted by Justine A Smith
If you’re in DC pls go and make a witty sign and yell real loud for me tomorrow‼️ For the love of @noaa 🩵
www.mobilize.us/ccanactionfu...
www.mobilize.us/ccanactionfu...
February 10, 2025 at 9:36 PM
If you’re in DC pls go and make a witty sign and yell real loud for me tomorrow‼️ For the love of @noaa 🩵
www.mobilize.us/ccanactionfu...
www.mobilize.us/ccanactionfu...
Reposted by Justine A Smith
Great piece by @antonsrkn.bsky.social delving into all the nuance surrounding how the L.A. fires might impact wildlife. Happy to have been part of it, check it out!
How did L.A.'s wildfires affect its animals?
@antonsrkn.bsky.social has answers in this stellar piece, which features his stunning photos. www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
@antonsrkn.bsky.social has answers in this stellar piece, which features his stunning photos. www.smithsonianmag.com/science-natu...
Here’s How the Los Angeles Wildfires Are Affecting Animals, From Fish to Snakes to Birds
While scientists were able to save and move some creatures in the aftermath, researchers are worried about the prospects for other species
www.smithsonianmag.com
February 11, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Great piece by @antonsrkn.bsky.social delving into all the nuance surrounding how the L.A. fires might impact wildlife. Happy to have been part of it, check it out!
Reposted by Justine A Smith
Hell yeah. Hold the line. This is what we need people to do.
Slow things down, don’t comply in advance so the courts have time to stop them. It’s starting to work.
Slow things down, don’t comply in advance so the courts have time to stop them. It’s starting to work.
Received a letter from POTUS today purporting to remove me as Commissioner and Chair of the FEC. There's a legal way to replace FEC commissioners-this isn't it. I've been so fortunate to serve the American people and stir up some good trouble along the way. That's not changing anytime soon.
February 7, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Hell yeah. Hold the line. This is what we need people to do.
Slow things down, don’t comply in advance so the courts have time to stop them. It’s starting to work.
Slow things down, don’t comply in advance so the courts have time to stop them. It’s starting to work.
Reposted by Justine A Smith
Hi All! I am a PhD candidate @wfcbucdavis.bsky.social working with @justineasmith.bsky.social studying how humans impact species interactions. I look at the impacts of development, recreation, roadways, drought, and fire on mountain lions and deer in greater LA :) Please help me find starter packs!
February 6, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Hi All! I am a PhD candidate @wfcbucdavis.bsky.social working with @justineasmith.bsky.social studying how humans impact species interactions. I look at the impacts of development, recreation, roadways, drought, and fire on mountain lions and deer in greater LA :) Please help me find starter packs!
Reposted by Justine A Smith
Can we just rebrand DEI as "competence, resilience and capability" because that's really what DEI initiatives are trying to do - help us find and value the most competent folks from the ENTIRE pool of humanity
February 5, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Can we just rebrand DEI as "competence, resilience and capability" because that's really what DEI initiatives are trying to do - help us find and value the most competent folks from the ENTIRE pool of humanity
Reposted by Justine A Smith
🚨BREAKING. From a program officer at the National Science Foundation, a list of keywords that can cause a grant to be pulled. I will be sharing screenshots of these keywords along with a decision tree. Please share widely. This is a crisis for academic freedom & science.
February 4, 2025 at 1:26 AM
🚨BREAKING. From a program officer at the National Science Foundation, a list of keywords that can cause a grant to be pulled. I will be sharing screenshots of these keywords along with a decision tree. Please share widely. This is a crisis for academic freedom & science.
Reposted by Justine A Smith
Reposted by Justine A Smith
Hey there Blue Sky! We are WOCinEEB, an organization for women of color & non-binary people of color in ecology, evolutionary biology, & allied fields. We offer formal & informal mentorship programs for all career stages & a space for community positivity. Join us & find your people!
wocineeb.org
wocineeb.org
WOC IN EEB
An online community of women of color and non-binary people of color in ecology, evolutionary biology, and allied fields
wocineeb.org
January 28, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Hey there Blue Sky! We are WOCinEEB, an organization for women of color & non-binary people of color in ecology, evolutionary biology, & allied fields. We offer formal & informal mentorship programs for all career stages & a space for community positivity. Join us & find your people!
wocineeb.org
wocineeb.org
Reposted by Justine A Smith
Seeking examples of outstanding written sci-comm to share with conservation science fellowship program!
* Recent preferred (2022-present)
* Opinion piece, essay, article in The Conversation
* Ideally grad student, postdoc, etc.
* Thinking about highlighting equity-deserving groups
* Recent preferred (2022-present)
* Opinion piece, essay, article in The Conversation
* Ideally grad student, postdoc, etc.
* Thinking about highlighting equity-deserving groups
January 22, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Seeking examples of outstanding written sci-comm to share with conservation science fellowship program!
* Recent preferred (2022-present)
* Opinion piece, essay, article in The Conversation
* Ideally grad student, postdoc, etc.
* Thinking about highlighting equity-deserving groups
* Recent preferred (2022-present)
* Opinion piece, essay, article in The Conversation
* Ideally grad student, postdoc, etc.
* Thinking about highlighting equity-deserving groups
Reposted by Justine A Smith
Ecology & evolutionary biology (EEB) has long had issues of inclusivity & representation. @mallorymrice.bsky.social &co show that people from marginalized groups were more likely to be harmed by EEB terminology, with >200 terms perceived by participants as harmful 🧪 @plosbiology.org plos.io/425aTaE
January 7, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Ecology & evolutionary biology (EEB) has long had issues of inclusivity & representation. @mallorymrice.bsky.social &co show that people from marginalized groups were more likely to be harmed by EEB terminology, with >200 terms perceived by participants as harmful 🧪 @plosbiology.org plos.io/425aTaE
Reposted by Justine A Smith
Overjoyed to see this effort led by @mallorymrice.bsky.social published in @plosbiology.org as part of the EEB Language Project
Grateful to be part of this amazing collaboration, and looking forward to what's next!
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Grateful to be part of this amazing collaboration, and looking forward to what's next!
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Terminology in ecology and evolutionary biology disproportionately harms marginalized groups
The discipline of ecology and evolutionary biology has long grappled with issues of inclusivity and representation. This study finds that individuals from marginalized groups were more likely to be ha...
journals.plos.org
January 6, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Overjoyed to see this effort led by @mallorymrice.bsky.social published in @plosbiology.org as part of the EEB Language Project
Grateful to be part of this amazing collaboration, and looking forward to what's next!
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...
Grateful to be part of this amazing collaboration, and looking forward to what's next!
journals.plos.org/plosbiology/...