Mission
The Bishop Lab is dedicated to developing the next generation of wildlife professionals equipped with the knowledge and experience to be effective collaborators and leaders in the fields of wildlife research, management, and conservation. Our lab fosters a collaborative literacy and adaptive leadership mindset. Lab members are then able to directly apply and develop these skills in their research with partner agencies and NGOs.
Our lab operates at the nexus of state, tribal, and federal wildlife agencies to conduct applied research that has direct relevance for the biologists and administrators responsible for conserving and managing wildlife populations. The lab emphasizes the dual importance of strong science and effective communication in advancing conservation. We believe that the future of wildlife management and conservation lies in the inclusion of all wildlife management entities, especially those whose voices have historically been marginalized.
Our Research
Our research is guided by a passion for understanding and conserving terrestrial wildlife and ecosystems in western North America and beyond. We recognize that wildlife conservation depends not only on strong science but on socio-political pathways that allow for implementation of viable conservation strategies. Our research projects commonly arise from collaborations with state and federal wildlife resource agencies and tribal wildlife departments. We are especially proud of our partnerships with tribal communities, with several of our graduate students conducting research on tribal lands. As a lab team, we work to bridge the gap between rigorous scientific inquiry and practical wildlife management. We make a point to understand the adaptive challenges underlying the conservation issues we address, improving our roles as scientific collaborators. We further strive for a culturally sensitive and holistic approach to wildlife conservation, reflecting our commitment to sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife. In sum, our lab focuses on the convergence of high-quality ecological science, leadership, and adaptation to change in addressing pressing challenges in wildlife conservation.
Our specific research projects span ruminant nutrition, habitat ecology, demography, and cause-specific mortality. Our core focus is ungulate ecology, yet we engage in a diverse range of projects in addressing our mission. We also conduct research on technique innovation as part of enhancing research methodologies used in our projects. You can learn more about our specific research projects by exploring our site.