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Wildlife, B.S. | Class of
Phil Johnston
Mountain Lion Biologist
Employer: Hoopa Tribal Forestry
Job description: I conduct field research and manage the Hoopa Valley Tribe's Mountain Lion Project, examining interactions between mountain lions, black bears, and deer. My job includes tracking, locating, and capturing mountain lions to fit them with GPS collars so we can closely monitor their movements and identify places where they have made a kill. I will then hike to the kill-site and investigate what the lion killed and which scavengers have been present at the kill-site. I cover roughly 1,200 square miles of National Forest, Wilderness Area, and Tribal lands in Humboldt, Trinity, and Siskiyou counties and go where the lions go.
About Phil
Why did you choose this program?
I chose HSU Wildlife because I heard it was the best and it's located in one of the most beautiful and wild places in the Pacific Northwest.
How did this program prepare you for your job?
As a simple woodsman and wildlife tracker, HSU's Wildlife Program gave me a solid foundation in scientific research and management techniques that allowed me to seamlessly enter the world of wildlife professionals and interface with scientists, wildlife managers, and conservationists.
What did you enjoy most about the program?
My favorite part of the wildlife program was getting to interact with extremely knowledgeable professors who are real experts in the local ecology and have played major roles in global conservation efforts.
What would you say to prospective students who are thinking about applying to this program?
Young adults looking to experience wilderness, learn about wildlife, and contribute to conserving the ecosystems of this planet will not find a better path forward than HSU's Wildlife program.