Excellence in undergraduate and graduate education in wildlife ecology since 1935.The University of Maine’s close proximity to a diverse array of ecosystems and wildlife provides an outstanding setting for our wildlife ecology program, and the many other programs in ecology, biology, and natural resources in the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences provide a diverse array of courses for wildlife ecology majors, and opportunities to engage with faculty-lead research.


Two scholarships established in memory of Erin Peterson and Joan Trial.

Erin petersonThe Erin Peterson Memorial Award was established in memory of Dr. Erin Peterson, a graduate of the University of Maine and a fisheries biologist with the State of Washington.  Erin lost her life at the age of 31 doing what she loved.
The award is a collaboration with the Penobscot County Conservation Association (PCCA) and Erin’s family and friends. Beginning in 2024, the award will be made annually to an individual who is pursuing an advanced degree focused on conservation and management.

joan trialThe Joan Trial Graduate Travel Award was established at the University of Maine Foundation with gifts from family, colleagues, and friends.
Of particular interest to Joan were the students she taught and mentored.  Establishment of this award will continue to support  student’s professional development in her memory.

To learn more about these two new awards or to make a donation to either of them, please visit – https://umaine.edu/wle/alums/give-back-department/


Wildlife In the News

See what faculty, students, staff,
and alums are up to


Maine Ice Angler Survey (Alademehin)

Participation would involve answering questions about your observations and experience ice fishing in Maine. The survey primarily consists of multiple-choice questions and should take about 10–15 minutes. The first page of the survey link includes an informed consent form with more information about this research study. If you would be interested in participating, please follow this link to take the survey: https://umaine.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7TIUmhKzW4CLHKu.

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In memory of Douglas Vollmer ’53

January 16, 2025 – Legacy.com
Douglas Albert Vollmer was born in New Rochelle, NY, on September 16, 1930, to Walter E.B. and Amy E. Olive (Griffin) Vollmer. He peacefully passed away from kidney failure on January 16, 2025, under the compassionate care of the Maine Veterans’ Home.

International team studies the migration of the American woodcock (Blomberg, Roth, Brunette, Darling)

November 25, 2024 – Phys.org
The American woodcock, a plump harbinger of spring, is a well known shorebird found across eastern North America. The species is a popular game bird and has earned the admiration of hunters, birders and others through its spring display, whistling wings and unique quirks.

UMaine leads international team to study, conserve woodcock (Clements, Fish)

November 22, 2024 – UMaine News
The American woodcock is a well known shorebird found across eastern North America. Each year, they migrate from overwintering locations in the southeastern U.S. to breeding locations across the northeastern and midwestern U.S. and southeastern Canada.

Another Mural could be coming to Bangor (Fedarick)

November 19, 2024 – by Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News
Bangor could get another mural next summer, this time featuring marine life found in the Penobscot River.

Bangor Beautiful, a local nonprofit organization with the mission of improving the aesthetics of the city, asked city councilors permission to paint a mural on all four sides of the Kenduskeag Pump Station on the corner of Broad and Washington streets.

Record named executive director of UMS TRANSFORMS Student Success and Retention Initiatives

November 1, 2024 – UMaine News
A University of Maine wildlife faculty member will oversee the continued development and implementation of various programs that will help students throughout Maine’s public universities excel during and after their college careers.

UMaine steps up efforts to track ticks (Gordon)

October 18, 2024 – by Vivien Leigh, News Center Maine
ORONO, Maine — Maine could be on pace to set another record-breaking year for cases of Lyme disease. There have been 2,544 in 2024, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The state record of 2,943 cases were reported in all of 2023.

Ece’s (’24) Honors College Journey

August 2024 – University of Maine YouTube channel

Mark McCollough (’81) receives “Ding” Darling Memorial Award

Paying Closer Attention to Nature (Charney)

August 23, 2024 – Maine Calling
This show is a rebroadcast of an earlier show (original air date June 27, 2024); no calls will be taken.
Maine is filled with nature lovers—but it takes an extra level of mindfulness to really pay close attention to nature. We’ll learn how to not only stop to smell the flowers—but to truly study them and focus with all of your senses on the natural world. And we’ll discuss how to capture nature’s wonders through photography, art, writing and other methods.

Watch out for amphibians crossing Acadia Park roads (Monroe/Charney)

August 20, 2024 – Mount Desert Islander
ACADIA NAT’L PARK — Fall can be a rainy time in Acadia, prompting toads, frogs and other amphibians to move about the landscape, including into roadways.

Check out other news articles about research being conducted by students and faculty – here!

Check out news about alums – here!