Wildlife Exposure to Heavy Metals and Disease in the Adirondacks, NY

Project Partner: Adirondack Wildlife Refuge, Summer 2019

Project Summary: The Adirondacks, a region usually perceived as pristine, is experiencing threats to wildlife as urbanization accelerates. Working with the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge, Tara compiled wildlife rehab health records to study whether rates of heavy metal contamination and diseases are increasing in animal populations. The findings of Tara’s work will be applicable to the greater mission of the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge and inform the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation on the impacts of urbanization on wildlife populations. Through this project, Tara gained experiences and connections relevant for working in science policy in the future. She also gained insight into regulatory structures that influence how management and policy decisions are made at the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

Project Deliverables: Policy brief on Loon mortality from lead fishing gear.