One of Black River Falls’ own will share her work and life as a wildlife researcher in Alaska at the February meeting of the Friends of the Black River.
Hometown girl, Sadie Ulman, will present a program about her work as a research associate with the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC) in Seward, Alaska, Wednesday, Feb. 10, in the Jackson County Bank community room. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Ulman’s program will cover the goals, logistics and adventures associated with various avian research projects taking place across remote areas of Alaska. These projects include conservation ecology and habitat associations of sea ducks, seabirds and shorebirds.
The daughter of Tom and Denise Gearing, Ulman grew up in rural Black River Falls. She earned a bachelor’s degree in zoology from UW-Madison and a master’s degree in wildlife ecology from the University of Delaware.
She has worked with many Arctic species over the past 15 years, ranging from least sandpipers to Steller’s eiders to Sandhill cranes.
“I help to organize and execute several projects under the principal investigator for the Eider Breeding Program at ASLC,” said Ulman. “My main project is helping with Steller’s eider reintroduction on Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, a collaborative project with USFWS. Other ASLC projects include breeding productivity of common murre, seabird presence and habitat associations in Resurrection Bay and growth monitoring of Steller’s eider and spectacled eider ducklings.
One of Ulman’s favorite places to visit is the productive arctic breeding ground, where singing birds can lull visitors to sleep after a tundra-tromping-filled day.
The ASLC is Alaska’s only public aquarium and ocean wildlife rescue center. Serving wildlife and visitors for 10 years, the center has become a “window on the sea.” It offers wildlife enthusiasts and researchers close encounters with puffins, octopus, sea lions and other sea life.
Along with Ulman, more than 100 full-time employees assisted by volunteers and interns work at the private corporation, conducting research projects. The research helps scientists discover why marine animal populations are declining and the causes for changes in the environment.
The center provides rehabilitation for sick and injured marine animals, and with its many exhibits, the center also provides educational opportunities to all ages, from early childhood to Elderhostel.
Ulman’s presentation is part of FBR’s ongoing educational mission to bring information and awareness of environmental issues to the community. The public is encouraged to attend the free program.
For more information, contact FBR by emailing info_fbr@yahoo.com.