The Foundation does short and long term studies focusing on conservation, management, and sustainability of wildlife populations and their habitats. The Director and staff biologist are certified wildlife biologists and have over 30 years of experience in planning and conducting research studies in wildlife conservation. The Director currently holds Adjunct Faculty positions in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Clemson University and Warnell School of Forest Resources at the University of Georgia.
We are currently collaborating on these research projects:
- Cory Heaton with Clemson University is evaluating the conservation practices of the USDA Farm Bills’ Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) and its effects on Northern Bobwhite Quail and Grassland Songbirds. Cory’s advisors are Dr's. Greg Yarrow, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources and Ernie P. Wiggers, Nemours Wildlife Foundation.
- Cris Hein with the University of Georgia is studying seasonal changes in activity and roosting ecology of bats in relation to forested corridors. Cris’s advisors are Dr's. Steven Castleberry and Karl V. Miller, Warnell School of Forest Resources.
- Sean McGregor with The University of Georgia, is studying Clapper and King Rail use of managed versus unmanaged (i.e. tidal) wetlands. Sean’s advisors are Dr's. Sara Schweitzer, Warnell School of Forest Resources and Ernie P. Wiggers, Nemours Wildlife Foundation.
- Isaac Park with Clemson University is studying germination rates for different genotypes of the Chinese Tallow tree. Isaac’s advisor is Dr. Sara DeWalt.
- Kelly Blackburn with Clemson University is studying the occurrence and behavior of Painted Buntings (Passerina ciris), Indigo Buntings (Passerina cyanea), and Blue Grosbeaks (Passerina caerulea) in agriculturally maintained habitats. Dr. Drew Landam, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources is her advisor.
- Dr. Jayme Waldron, University of Georgia is studying the effectiveness of translocation for the conservation of eastern diamondback rattlesnakes.
On going research being done by Foundation staff include:
-Restoring Southern Fox Squirrels to sites where populations were extirpated by Hurricane Hugo. (Dr. Ernie Wiggers and Eddie Mills lead scientists.)
-Examine the impacts of silvicultural operations on songbirds. (Eddie Mills lead scientist.)
-Temporal impacts of disturbance (prescribed fire and disking) on early successional plant communities. (Dr. Ernie Wiggers and Eddie Mills lead scientists.)
-Nest success of threatened and endangered species such as the Bald Eagle (Eddie Mills lead scientist.)
-Water chemistry within managed wetlands and tidal marshes. (Eddie Mills lead scientist.)
The Foundation was recently awarded a significant grant from the Fish and Wildlife Foundation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This multi-disciplinary study will examine the ecological value of managed, tidal impoundments by comparing wildlife and fish use, plant community structure, macro-invertebrates, and water quality measurements made inside these wetlands to similar measurements made in adjacent tidal marshes. Collaborating scientists are Dr. Rockie English from Clemson University, Drs. Sara Schweitzer and Cecil Jennings from the University of Georgia, and Dr. Ernie Wiggers and Eddie Mills from the Foundation. This study will begin in the winter of 2006 and we expect to involve several graduate students in this project.
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Biologists evaluate plant composition and structure to assess habitat quality.
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Intern releasing a Southern Fox Squirrel.
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Related Publications.
Myers, P.E. 2002. Impact of Red Imported Fire Ants on Northern Bobwhite populations and Insect Abundance. M.S. Thesis. Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 88p.
Slater, J. T. 2002. Effects of the Red Imported Fire Ant on Herpetofauna populations. M.S. Thesis. Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 145p.
Recent Presentations at Professional Meetings.
Heaton, W.C., E.P. Wiggers, G.R. Yarrow, W.E. Mills. 2005. Evaluation of four conservation management practices for northern bobwhites and grassland birds. Southeastern Quail Study Group meetings, Land Between the Lakes, KY.
McGregor, S.P., S.H. Schweitzer, E.P. Wiggers, and W.E. Mills. 2005. Frequency of occurrence of King and Clapper Rails in managed and unmanaged marshes. Waterbird Society meetings, Jekyll Island, GA.
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Biologists lead students in proper methods for handling young Bald Eagles as biological info is collected.
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Eddie Mills, staff biologist, tracks wildlife movements using telemetry techniques.
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