Nicole Michel
@nicolemichel.bsky.social
Director of Quantitative Science at National Audubon Society. PhD 🏳️🌈 Conservationist, birder, indoor cat mom, gardener, foodie, traveler. She/her
We wrapped up another successful team meeting for the NOAA RESTORE-funded Western Gulf Stewardship Task Force project. I couldn’t be more proud to lead such a wonderful team of scientists (ecological and social) and resource managers.
October 31, 2025 at 10:10 PM
We wrapped up another successful team meeting for the NOAA RESTORE-funded Western Gulf Stewardship Task Force project. I couldn’t be more proud to lead such a wonderful team of scientists (ecological and social) and resource managers.
I’m excited to share that we were one of 15 recipients of the Bezos Earth Fund AI Grand Challenge grants. These funds will be used to expand Audubon Latin America & Caribbean’s Conserva Aves program. www.bezosearthfund.org/news-and-ins...
Bezos Earth Fund Announces $30 Million in AI Grand Challenge Awards
www.bezosearthfund.org
October 24, 2025 at 2:55 PM
I’m excited to share that we were one of 15 recipients of the Bezos Earth Fund AI Grand Challenge grants. These funds will be used to expand Audubon Latin America & Caribbean’s Conserva Aves program. www.bezosearthfund.org/news-and-ins...
Not one but two quantitative ecologist openings at the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute. This team is doing great work, if you're interested in avian ecology and biodiversity conservation and have a quantitative bent go check them out! abmi.ca/abmi-home/co...
Statistical Ecologist
<p>The Human Footprint Analyst plays a pivotal role in one of ABMI’s most recognized programs—the Human Footprint Monitoring Program—tracking human land use patterns across Alberta&r...
abmi.ca
October 20, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Not one but two quantitative ecologist openings at the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute. This team is doing great work, if you're interested in avian ecology and biodiversity conservation and have a quantitative bent go check them out! abmi.ca/abmi-home/co...
Reposted by Nicole Michel
I found this a really illuminating thread on what demonstrations do and why they matter.
In social movement studies, we talk about how marches and protests expand the threshold of acceptable risk so that people take more and bigger social risks IN PUBLIC, EN MASSE. This is extremely important for the bourgeois white folks holding signs and building social rapport.
Not a shitpost: #NoKings is feel-good performative activism for comfortable mostly upper and upper middle class white folks and that’s good, actually. Millions of people in the streets protesting a fascist regime is good. It is good for the normie baseline to be massive displays of public dissent.
October 19, 2025 at 2:59 AM
I found this a really illuminating thread on what demonstrations do and why they matter.
Reposted by Nicole Michel
An essay explores how two things can be true at once: The climate system is impossibly chaotic and climate change is simply true. By Joseph Howlett
www.quantamagazine.org/the-climate-...
www.quantamagazine.org/the-climate-...
The Climate Change Paradox | Quanta Magazine
Earth’s climate is chaotic and volatile. Climate change is simple and predictable. How can both be true?
www.quantamagazine.org
September 26, 2025 at 3:20 PM
An essay explores how two things can be true at once: The climate system is impossibly chaotic and climate change is simply true. By Joseph Howlett
www.quantamagazine.org/the-climate-...
www.quantamagazine.org/the-climate-...
It was great to speak with Christina Kelso at the NYT about the threats fireworks pose to coastal birds. This year, consider skipping the fireworks and celebrate in ways that are safer for birds and people too! www.nytimes.com/2025/07/04/c...
Beyond the Light Show: The Effects of Fireworks on Animals and People
www.nytimes.com
July 4, 2025 at 7:27 PM
It was great to speak with Christina Kelso at the NYT about the threats fireworks pose to coastal birds. This year, consider skipping the fireworks and celebrate in ways that are safer for birds and people too! www.nytimes.com/2025/07/04/c...
Reposted by Nicole Michel
Lots of stuff getting tossed from this bill but as far as I can tell, the elimination of the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area, which includes the Bird Banding Lab and the Breeding Bird Survey, is still in there.
Would love to hear otherwise if anyone knows more.
Would love to hear otherwise if anyone knows more.
Talking Points Memo reports the Medicaid trans ban was just struck from the reconciliation bill. talkingpointsmemo.com/live-blog/ba...
Backlash Over ‘Big Beautiful’ Bill Continues In Congress
The wildly unpopular “Big Beautiful” reconciliation package continues to face challenges as...
talkingpointsmemo.com
June 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Lots of stuff getting tossed from this bill but as far as I can tell, the elimination of the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area, which includes the Bird Banding Lab and the Breeding Bird Survey, is still in there.
Would love to hear otherwise if anyone knows more.
Would love to hear otherwise if anyone knows more.
Reposted by Nicole Michel
Quick. Somebody tell Trump that the best way to own Elon is to restore all research grants and double NSF funding.
June 5, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Quick. Somebody tell Trump that the best way to own Elon is to restore all research grants and double NSF funding.
Reposted by Nicole Michel
"Imagine the auto industry without 3D printing. NSF funded that. Artificial intelligence? NSF. MRI machines that help doctors diagnose you? NSF. Doppler radar technology that makes aviation safer by conquering wind shear? NSF. Duolingo‘s underlying programming? NSF. The internet itself? NSF."
The National Science Foundation was established 75 years ago this week, but as Professor Scott L. Greer writes in this commentary, it’s “been a bit of a rough birthday party.”
michiganadvance.com/2025/05/13/a...
michiganadvance.com/2025/05/13/a...
A troubled birthday for the National Science Foundation • Michigan Advance
Happy 75th birthday, National Science Foundation! On May 10, 1950, Congress established one of the world’s best value, highest impact, and, frankly, coolest science agencies. The NSF finances federal ...
michiganadvance.com
May 14, 2025 at 3:12 AM
"Imagine the auto industry without 3D printing. NSF funded that. Artificial intelligence? NSF. MRI machines that help doctors diagnose you? NSF. Doppler radar technology that makes aviation safer by conquering wind shear? NSF. Duolingo‘s underlying programming? NSF. The internet itself? NSF."
Reposted by Nicole Michel
Folks who feed your pets Hydrolyzed Protein food: Remember how difficult Royal Canin was to get during the pandemic? Well going into tarrifs I suggest swapping to Blue Buffalo if you can. Nearly all of their ingredients are sourced in the US and they are manufactured in the US as well.
May 10, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Folks who feed your pets Hydrolyzed Protein food: Remember how difficult Royal Canin was to get during the pandemic? Well going into tarrifs I suggest swapping to Blue Buffalo if you can. Nearly all of their ingredients are sourced in the US and they are manufactured in the US as well.
Reposted by Nicole Michel
1. After getting some further insight into changes at NSF (thanks to those who reached out), I deleted a previous post where I tried to make sense of Cheatham's memo as reported in the Science story below.
NSF slashes number of ‘rotators’ and well-paid managers as part of restructuring
Smaller future budgets will require fewer people, NSF official tells staff
www.science.org
May 10, 2025 at 1:58 AM
1. After getting some further insight into changes at NSF (thanks to those who reached out), I deleted a previous post where I tried to make sense of Cheatham's memo as reported in the Science story below.
Reposted by Nicole Michel
🚨 All staff for NSF’s Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM (EES) have just been fired.
In email to grantees: “the entire Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM has just been dissolved and the entire staff fired.”
High time for scientists, public, Congress, YOU to take action to #SaveNSF
In email to grantees: “the entire Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM has just been dissolved and the entire staff fired.”
High time for scientists, public, Congress, YOU to take action to #SaveNSF
Take Action | Save NSF
www.savensf.com
May 9, 2025 at 5:35 PM
🚨 All staff for NSF’s Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM (EES) have just been fired.
In email to grantees: “the entire Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM has just been dissolved and the entire staff fired.”
High time for scientists, public, Congress, YOU to take action to #SaveNSF
In email to grantees: “the entire Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM has just been dissolved and the entire staff fired.”
High time for scientists, public, Congress, YOU to take action to #SaveNSF
It's #WorldMigratoryBirdDay and time to welcome back your favorite feathered friends. Take a look at the Bird Migration Explorer to find out where your neighborhood birds spent the last few months: explorer.audubon.org
May 9, 2025 at 5:55 PM
It's #WorldMigratoryBirdDay and time to welcome back your favorite feathered friends. Take a look at the Bird Migration Explorer to find out where your neighborhood birds spent the last few months: explorer.audubon.org
Reposted by Nicole Michel
BREAKING: NSF has frozen all grant funding, as of yesterday. It's unclear when they will resume funding awards, or why the pause has been put in place. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Exclusive: NSF stops awarding new grants and funding existing ones
US science funder also plans to screen grant applications for compliance with ‘agency priorities’.
www.nature.com
May 1, 2025 at 10:58 PM
BREAKING: NSF has frozen all grant funding, as of yesterday. It's unclear when they will resume funding awards, or why the pause has been put in place. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Nicole Michel
🧪 Tip: You have the right to contest a grant termination, even though NSF says you don't. 🧵
On Friday, NSF terminated 402 grants (per Musk's DOGE).
The notification letters had one of the most egregious violations of fed regulations I've seen so far in these cases:
"not subject to appeal"
On Friday, NSF terminated 402 grants (per Musk's DOGE).
The notification letters had one of the most egregious violations of fed regulations I've seen so far in these cases:
"not subject to appeal"
Here's a copy of an NSF grant termination notice that went out today. "NSF is issuing this termination to protect the interests of the government pursuant...on the basis that they no longer effectuate the program goals or agency priorities." Not subject to appeal. #HigherEd #AcademicSky
![Text of email: Dear [redacted],
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has undertaken a review of its award portfolio. Each award was carefully and individually reviewed, and the agency has determined that termination of certain awards is necessary because they are not in alignment with current NSF priorities. Effective immediately, the following are terminated: [redacted]
NSF is issuing this termination to protect the interests of the government pursuant to NSF Grant General Conditions (GC-1) term and condition entitled Termination and Enforcement; on the basis that they no longer effectuate the program goals or agency priorities. This is the final agency decision and not subject to appeal. Costs incurred as a result of this termination may be reimbursed, provided such costs would otherwise be allowable under the terms of the award and the governing cost principles. In accordance with your award terms and conditions, you have 30 days from the termination date to furnish a summary of progress under the award and an itemized accounting of allowable costs incurred prior to the termination date.
Sincerely, [redacted] Division Director
Office of Budget Finance and Award Management (BFA)
Division of Grants and Agreements (DGA)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:l3jbgdl7a5rtsfyrgjw7spkz/bafkreif3rmsl6htpibxg3loqsuazljaekd636abaavvfm4nkjplr5e6itu@jpeg)
April 20, 2025 at 4:33 PM
🧪 Tip: You have the right to contest a grant termination, even though NSF says you don't. 🧵
On Friday, NSF terminated 402 grants (per Musk's DOGE).
The notification letters had one of the most egregious violations of fed regulations I've seen so far in these cases:
"not subject to appeal"
On Friday, NSF terminated 402 grants (per Musk's DOGE).
The notification letters had one of the most egregious violations of fed regulations I've seen so far in these cases:
"not subject to appeal"
This would be an enormous loss for birds and bird conservation. The BBS and BBL datasets are the backbone of the work we do to understand why bird populations are declining and how to address it.
All wildlife research at USGS will be eliminated. All research and science centers. All coop units. BBS, BBL…. gone.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Trump swings budget ax at USGS biology research
Plan to eliminate $307 million ecosystem program could face obstacles in Congress
www.science.org
April 19, 2025 at 6:38 PM
This would be an enormous loss for birds and bird conservation. The BBS and BBL datasets are the backbone of the work we do to understand why bird populations are declining and how to address it.
This is far from the worst thing Trump and Musk are doing, but it hits close to home. My time in an AmeriCorps program at Trout Lake, WA my first year out of college literally launched my career and set me on the path to where I am today. apnews.com/article/amer...
AmeriCorps members who respond to disasters and help nonprofits let go in DOGE cuts
Young volunteers who respond to natural disasters and help with community projects across the U.S. have been discharged.
apnews.com
April 16, 2025 at 5:30 PM
This is far from the worst thing Trump and Musk are doing, but it hits close to home. My time in an AmeriCorps program at Trout Lake, WA my first year out of college literally launched my career and set me on the path to where I am today. apnews.com/article/amer...
Reposted by Nicole Michel
Do you remember getting piggyback rides from your parents when you were little? Loons have that exact same experience!
Learn more about the mighty loon at our exhibit, Knowing Nature: Stories of the Boreal Forest!
Learn more about the mighty loon at our exhibit, Knowing Nature: Stories of the Boreal Forest!
March 10, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Do you remember getting piggyback rides from your parents when you were little? Loons have that exact same experience!
Learn more about the mighty loon at our exhibit, Knowing Nature: Stories of the Boreal Forest!
Learn more about the mighty loon at our exhibit, Knowing Nature: Stories of the Boreal Forest!
Excited to see this literature review of coastal bird stewardship & management strategies w/ a focus on the Gulf published in JFO. This was Jennifer Fuller's first first-authored paper, & we worked with an amazing team of scientists to prepare & publish this work! journal.afonet.org/vol96/iss1/a...
Journal of Field Ornithology: Effectiveness of stewardship and management strategies to conserve coastal bird populations in the northern Gulf of Mexico: a literature review
Shorebirds, seabirds, and wading birds (hereafter coastal birds) have experienced considerable losses over the last century and require proactive conservation management to stabilize or grow populatio...
journal.afonet.org
March 27, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Excited to see this literature review of coastal bird stewardship & management strategies w/ a focus on the Gulf published in JFO. This was Jennifer Fuller's first first-authored paper, & we worked with an amazing team of scientists to prepare & publish this work! journal.afonet.org/vol96/iss1/a...
Reposted by Nicole Michel
U.S. Birders, By the Numbers
• At-home birders: 91 million people
• Away-from-home birders: 43 million people
• Time spent birding in 2022: 7.2 billion days
• At-home birders: 91 million people
• Away-from-home birders: 43 million people
• Time spent birding in 2022: 7.2 billion days
February 27, 2025 at 2:39 AM
U.S. Birders, By the Numbers
• At-home birders: 91 million people
• Away-from-home birders: 43 million people
• Time spent birding in 2022: 7.2 billion days
• At-home birders: 91 million people
• Away-from-home birders: 43 million people
• Time spent birding in 2022: 7.2 billion days
Great to see the new BBS trends out!
Our analysis of BBS data (through 2023) just came out!
doi.org/10.5066/P1F2...
doi.org/10.5066/P1F2...
The North American Breeding Bird Survey, Analysis Results 1966 - 2023
This data product consists of a database of population change and abundance estimates for North American birds, estimated from North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data. Data are presented for 54...
doi.org
February 26, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Great to see the new BBS trends out!
The Institute for Bird Populations is a small but mighty bird conservation organization that is close to my heart (I worked with them for 8 years). They run the MAPS & MoSI programs that provide the demographic data essential for understanding the causes of bird population declines. (1/2)
🪶 Today, more than 1/3 of the federal grant $$ we were relying on to finance our science & conservation work in 2025 is paused w/ no indication of when, or if, we will be able to access it again. Your tax-deductible donation helps us weather this period of uncertainty. birdpop.org/pages/do... 1/2
February 24, 2025 at 11:26 PM
The Institute for Bird Populations is a small but mighty bird conservation organization that is close to my heart (I worked with them for 8 years). They run the MAPS & MoSI programs that provide the demographic data essential for understanding the causes of bird population declines. (1/2)
Come work with us! We're hiring a Senior Manager, Quantitative Science on National Audubon Society's Science Team (1/2)
audubon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Audubo...
audubon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Audubo...
Senior Manager, Quantitative Science
Position Summary: The Senior Manager, Quantitative Science will be responsible for leading and executing analyses that measure the biological impacts of Audubon's initiatives. This will include develo...
audubon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
February 18, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Come work with us! We're hiring a Senior Manager, Quantitative Science on National Audubon Society's Science Team (1/2)
audubon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Audubo...
audubon.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Audubo...
Reposted by Nicole Michel
Like birds and models? Dr. Erin Bayne and I are currently recruiting a 2 year postdoc to come work with us at the Boreal Avian Modelling project on boreal bird models and applications of those models. Full details are here tinyurl.com/4yxju63k. Feel free to get in touch with qs!
February 10, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Like birds and models? Dr. Erin Bayne and I are currently recruiting a 2 year postdoc to come work with us at the Boreal Avian Modelling project on boreal bird models and applications of those models. Full details are here tinyurl.com/4yxju63k. Feel free to get in touch with qs!
Reposted by Nicole Michel
🚨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.