Tyler Muhley: Past President, Secretary, Treasurer & Conservation Affairs Chair
Tyler has over 15 years of experience as a wildlife biologist. He grew up in Hinton, Alberta where he spent a lot of time outdoors and developed a passion for wildlife. He has a PhD and Masters degree in wildlife ecology and management from the University of Calgary. For the last two years he has been working for the provincial government in the Forest Analysis and Inventory Branch. He spent one year as a Director of the Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society before he moved to British Columbia. He is excited about the opportunity to grow the British Columbia Chapter of the Wildlife Society and to continue to get to know members of British Columbia’s community of wildlife professionals.
Tyler has over 15 years of experience as a wildlife biologist. He grew up in Hinton, Alberta where he spent a lot of time outdoors and developed a passion for wildlife. He has a PhD and Masters degree in wildlife ecology and management from the University of Calgary. For the last two years he has been working for the provincial government in the Forest Analysis and Inventory Branch. He spent one year as a Director of the Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society before he moved to British Columbia. He is excited about the opportunity to grow the British Columbia Chapter of the Wildlife Society and to continue to get to know members of British Columbia’s community of wildlife professionals.
Larry Davis - past Secretary-Treasurer
Larry joined the BC-TWS in 2019 and has been our Treasurer-Secretary since January 2020. He completed his BSc in 1994 and a MSc in 2009, both at Simon Fraser University. Over the last 25 years, he has worked for the Research section in the Cariboo Region, followed by 8 years employed in a consulting company working primarily for the forest industry. Since 2004, he has been self employed with a diverse portfolio that includes wildlife research, fish inventory, environmental monitoring, environmental impact assessment, and remediation prescriptions. His clients include industry, government, NGOs, and First Nations.
Over the last 15 years, improving habitat management for moose and research on fishers (Pekania pennanti) has dominated his interests. Moose populations have generally been declining across North America, and Larry has developed forest retention standards to improve moose habitat that have been incorporated into Forest Stewardship Plans in the Cariboo Region. Fishers are among the largest obligate cavity users in North America, and his most recent project has focussed on designing an artificial reproductive den box for this red-listed species. Videos on the fisher denbox project can be found on his Youtube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSCwl2j1AJxbzMbD7-6XJHQ
Larry joined the BC-TWS in 2019 and has been our Treasurer-Secretary since January 2020. He completed his BSc in 1994 and a MSc in 2009, both at Simon Fraser University. Over the last 25 years, he has worked for the Research section in the Cariboo Region, followed by 8 years employed in a consulting company working primarily for the forest industry. Since 2004, he has been self employed with a diverse portfolio that includes wildlife research, fish inventory, environmental monitoring, environmental impact assessment, and remediation prescriptions. His clients include industry, government, NGOs, and First Nations.
Over the last 15 years, improving habitat management for moose and research on fishers (Pekania pennanti) has dominated his interests. Moose populations have generally been declining across North America, and Larry has developed forest retention standards to improve moose habitat that have been incorporated into Forest Stewardship Plans in the Cariboo Region. Fishers are among the largest obligate cavity users in North America, and his most recent project has focussed on designing an artificial reproductive den box for this red-listed species. Videos on the fisher denbox project can be found on his Youtube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSCwl2j1AJxbzMbD7-6XJHQ
Scott Yaeger
Past President 2019
Scott Yaeger has been a professional wildlife biologist for more than 25 years, with wildlife research and environmental consulting experiences spanning North America. He holds a B.S. degree in Wildlife Management and an M.S. in Natural Resources from Humboldt State University in California, and secured his R.P.Bio. after moving to British Columbia in 2014. Since relocating to British Columbia, Scott has focused on monitoring, restoration, and reclamation programs associated with energy infrastructure programs and the development of furbearer habitat conservation approaches. After 25 years in our profession, Scott still feels fortunate to have made this his career choice indicating that his satisfaction is in no small part due to his enjoyment of his fellow colleagues. As a long-term member of the Western Section of The Wildlife Society, Scott looks forward to the challenge of launching the British Columbia Chapter and helping it to grow and thrive as an entity where members can find the support, energy, and learning resources they need in pursuit of a rewarding career. Equally important to Scott is to help make the B.C. Chapter fun.
Past President 2019
Scott Yaeger has been a professional wildlife biologist for more than 25 years, with wildlife research and environmental consulting experiences spanning North America. He holds a B.S. degree in Wildlife Management and an M.S. in Natural Resources from Humboldt State University in California, and secured his R.P.Bio. after moving to British Columbia in 2014. Since relocating to British Columbia, Scott has focused on monitoring, restoration, and reclamation programs associated with energy infrastructure programs and the development of furbearer habitat conservation approaches. After 25 years in our profession, Scott still feels fortunate to have made this his career choice indicating that his satisfaction is in no small part due to his enjoyment of his fellow colleagues. As a long-term member of the Western Section of The Wildlife Society, Scott looks forward to the challenge of launching the British Columbia Chapter and helping it to grow and thrive as an entity where members can find the support, energy, and learning resources they need in pursuit of a rewarding career. Equally important to Scott is to help make the B.C. Chapter fun.
Pat Baird
Past Director & Newsletter Editor
Pat joined The Wildlife Society in 2012 because it enabled her to connect with a broader group of scientists than ornithological or plankton groups, and she liked the integration of so many different fields and the broad and diverse expertise of the members. She is currently a Research Associate at Simon Fraser University and director of Kahiltna Research Group. She has conducted research on seabird ecology and food web structure throughout the world, from Alaska to Argentina and Hawaii to France on species such as tufted puffins, kittiwakes 4 species of gulls, 3 species of terns, Magellanic penguins, to western sandpipers and the anchovies, sandlance, and herring and diatom species they consume.
Pat was a professor in the Biology Department at California State University before she moved to Canada, and she and her students focused on many aspects of ecology, especially foraging dynamics and the food web of seabirds, and also on habitat assessment and long-range planning for nonprofits and governmental groups. Pat has been an officer on the board of the Pacific Seabird and The Waterbird Groups, and organized science workshops for the Society for Women in Science & Technology. In her spare time she backpacks and cross-country skis, and enjoys exploring countries all over the planet with or without her family.
Past Director & Newsletter Editor
Pat joined The Wildlife Society in 2012 because it enabled her to connect with a broader group of scientists than ornithological or plankton groups, and she liked the integration of so many different fields and the broad and diverse expertise of the members. She is currently a Research Associate at Simon Fraser University and director of Kahiltna Research Group. She has conducted research on seabird ecology and food web structure throughout the world, from Alaska to Argentina and Hawaii to France on species such as tufted puffins, kittiwakes 4 species of gulls, 3 species of terns, Magellanic penguins, to western sandpipers and the anchovies, sandlance, and herring and diatom species they consume.
Pat was a professor in the Biology Department at California State University before she moved to Canada, and she and her students focused on many aspects of ecology, especially foraging dynamics and the food web of seabirds, and also on habitat assessment and long-range planning for nonprofits and governmental groups. Pat has been an officer on the board of the Pacific Seabird and The Waterbird Groups, and organized science workshops for the Society for Women in Science & Technology. In her spare time she backpacks and cross-country skis, and enjoys exploring countries all over the planet with or without her family.
Ashley Kerik
Past Director
As the Student Director for the BC chapter of TWS, Ashley links university students with working wildlife biologists. She was also the outreach coordinator and secretary for the UBCO TWS Chapter for the last two years. Ashley recently completed a BSc (Hons) in Zoology at UBCO. Her undergraduate honours thesis project focuses on the distribution of freshwater sponges in the Okanagan area. Ashley also spent last summer at Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre studying marine behavioural ecology and survey methods of coastal wildlife. Prior to starting her undergraduate degree, Ashley spent 7 years traveling and working abroad. She has lived in over 8 countries and traveled to many more. She loves to be outdoors, especially when it involves diving. Ashley plans to obtain a graduate degree focusing on marine conservation. She is interested in understanding trophic cascades and is fascinated with sharks. Ashley is determined to be a major part of the ocean conservancy community and plans to spend her life researching, understanding, and educating others on the issues our oceans are facing.
Past Director
As the Student Director for the BC chapter of TWS, Ashley links university students with working wildlife biologists. She was also the outreach coordinator and secretary for the UBCO TWS Chapter for the last two years. Ashley recently completed a BSc (Hons) in Zoology at UBCO. Her undergraduate honours thesis project focuses on the distribution of freshwater sponges in the Okanagan area. Ashley also spent last summer at Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre studying marine behavioural ecology and survey methods of coastal wildlife. Prior to starting her undergraduate degree, Ashley spent 7 years traveling and working abroad. She has lived in over 8 countries and traveled to many more. She loves to be outdoors, especially when it involves diving. Ashley plans to obtain a graduate degree focusing on marine conservation. She is interested in understanding trophic cascades and is fascinated with sharks. Ashley is determined to be a major part of the ocean conservancy community and plans to spend her life researching, understanding, and educating others on the issues our oceans are facing.
Rod Davis
Past President
Rod Davis is the Chair of the Managed Forest Council, an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the School of Environmental Studies at UVic, and the President of the BC Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Prior experience includes a 35-year career with the provincial government working on fish and wildlife conservation, forest and range practices, land use planning, and environmental protection. Rod was presented the Bill Young Award for Excellence in Integrated Forest Management by the Association of Professional Biologists of BC and the Association of BC Forest Professionals in 2006. He has a PhD from the University of Victoria focused on wildlife conservation and is a Registered Professional Agrologist. His interests relate to implications of resource development and climate change on wildlife and ecosystem conservation.
Past President
Rod Davis is the Chair of the Managed Forest Council, an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the School of Environmental Studies at UVic, and the President of the BC Chapter of The Wildlife Society. Prior experience includes a 35-year career with the provincial government working on fish and wildlife conservation, forest and range practices, land use planning, and environmental protection. Rod was presented the Bill Young Award for Excellence in Integrated Forest Management by the Association of Professional Biologists of BC and the Association of BC Forest Professionals in 2006. He has a PhD from the University of Victoria focused on wildlife conservation and is a Registered Professional Agrologist. His interests relate to implications of resource development and climate change on wildlife and ecosystem conservation.