{"id":930,"date":"2011-02-24T15:31:20","date_gmt":"2011-02-24T20:31:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T11:53:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T15:53:34","slug":"home-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1304\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2023\/11\/Website-Banner-3.png\" alt=\"Excellence in undergraduate and graduate education in wildlife ecology since 1935.The University of Maine\u2019s 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.\" class=\"wp-image-11085\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2023\/11\/Website-Banner-3.png 1304w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2023\/11\/Website-Banner-3-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2023\/11\/Website-Banner-3-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2023\/11\/Website-Banner-3-150x78.png 150w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2023\/11\/Website-Banner-3-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2023\/11\/Website-Banner-3-105x55.png 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2023\/11\/Website-Banner-3-317x166.png 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2023\/11\/Website-Banner-3-423x221.png 423w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2023\/11\/Website-Banner-3-634x331.png 634w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2023\/11\/Website-Banner-3-846x442.png 846w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2023\/11\/Website-Banner-3-951x497.png 951w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2023\/11\/Website-Banner-3-1268x662.png 1268w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,1304px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-930_5ad262-f9 .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-930_5ad262-f9 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-930_5ad262-f9\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Two scholarships established in memory of Erin Peterson and Joan Trial.<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2024\/01\/erin-peterson-2023-150x100.jpg\" alt=\"Portrait of Erin Peterson\" class=\"wp-image-11184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2024\/01\/erin-peterson-2023-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2024\/01\/erin-peterson-2023-105x70.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2024\/01\/erin-peterson-2023.jpg 253w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The <em><strong>Erin Peterson Memorial Award<\/strong> <\/em>was established in memory of Dr. Erin Peterson, a graduate of the University of Maine and a fisheries biologist with the State of Washington.&nbsp; Erin lost her life at the age of 31 doing what she loved.<br>The award is a collaboration with the Penobscot County Conservation Association (PCCA) and Erin\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"100\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2024\/01\/joan-trial-2023-150x100.jpg\" alt=\"Portrait of Joan Trial\" class=\"wp-image-11185\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2024\/01\/joan-trial-2023-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2024\/01\/joan-trial-2023-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2024\/01\/joan-trial-2023-105x70.jpg 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2024\/01\/joan-trial-2023-317x211.jpg 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2024\/01\/joan-trial-2023.jpg 338w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The <strong><em>Joan Trial Graduate Travel Award<\/em><\/strong> was established at the University of Maine Foundation with gifts from family, colleagues, and friends.<br>Of particular interest to Joan were the students she taught and mentored.&nbsp; Establishment of this award will continue to support&nbsp;student\u2019s professional development in her memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about these two new awards or to make a donation to either of them, please visit &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/alums\/give-back-department\/\">https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/alums\/give-back-department\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-930_17d186-ca .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-930_17d186-ca .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:100%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-930_17d186-ca\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"102\" height=\"100\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-8945\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2021\/08\/news-150x148.png\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2021\/08\/news-150x148.png 150w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2021\/08\/news-300x295.png 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2021\/08\/news-105x103.png 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2021\/08\/news-317x312.png 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2021\/08\/news-32x32.png 32w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2021\/08\/news.png 372w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 102px) 100vw, 102px\" \/>Wildlife in the News<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"102\" height=\"100\" class=\"alignright wp-image-8945\" src=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2021\/08\/news-150x148.png\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2021\/08\/news-150x148.png 150w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2021\/08\/news-300x295.png 300w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2021\/08\/news-105x103.png 105w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2021\/08\/news-317x312.png 317w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2021\/08\/news-32x32.png 32w, https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/300\/2021\/08\/news.png 372w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 102px) 100vw, 102px\" \/><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">See what faculty, students, staff, and alums are up to<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/podcasts\/2026\/03\/16\/are-forever-chemicals-really-here-forever\/\">Are \u2018Forever Chemicals\u2019 really here Forever? (Murphy)<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>March 26, 206 &#8211; The Maine Question podcast<br \/>A group of chemicals known as PFAS have become a growing concern for human health, agriculture and the environment. Because they resist breaking down, these \u201cforever chemicals\u201d can accumulate in soil, water and food systems and expose people to a range of adverse health conditions.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.penbaypilot.com\/article\/umaine-researcher-develops-model-protect-freshwater-fish-worldwide-extinction\/267628\">UMaine researcher develops model to protect freshwater fish worldwide from extinction (Murphy)<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>March 1, 2026 &#8211; PenBay Pilot<br \/>ORONO \u2014 Whether it\u2019s redfin pickerel in the Kennebec River or sturgeon in the Great Lakes, nearly one-third of freshwater fish species are facing possible extinction, threatening food supplies, ecosystems and outdoor recreation.<\/p>\n<p>As conservationists work to preserve these species, the University of Maine assistant professor Christina Murphy asked herself if there was an easier way to identify threats to fish before they become endangered.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"has-link-color wp-elements-e1550180c34b533709658b335e19015c wp-block-post-title has-text-color has-brand-1-color has-tertiary-font-family\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth.com\/news\/nearly-one-third-of-freshwater-fish-face-extinction-ai-reveals-how-to-save-them\/\">Nearly one-third of freshwater fish face extinction &#8211; AI reveals how to save them (Murphy)<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>February 2026 &#8211; Earth.com<br \/>Freshwater ecosystems cover less than one percent of Earth\u2019s surface, yet they support an astonishing share of the planet\u2019s biodiversity \u2013 and millions of people depend on them for food, jobs, and cultural traditions.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/wildlife.org\/listen-conserving-wildlife-on-working-landscapes\/\">LISTEN:\u00a0 Conserving Wildlife on Working Landscapes (Roy &#8217;14)<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>February 6, 2026 &#8211; The Wildlife Society Podcast<br \/>With nearly 60% of the United States under private ownership and management, private landscapes are a significant opportunity for large-scale wildlife conservation.<\/p>\n<p>In this episode of \u201cOur Wild Lives,\u201d TWS member Joe Roy, private lands wildlife biologist at Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and Erik Glenn, CEO at Colorado Cattlemen\u2019s Agricultural Land Trust explain how easements, incentives and other science-based management tools keep working lands intact while improving and protecting wildlife habitat.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legacy.com\/us\/obituaries\/name\/albert-bourgeois-obituary?id=60420052\">In Memory of Albert Bourgeois &#8217;72<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>December 31, 2025 &#8211; Legacy.com<br \/>Albert Bourgeois, 75, beloved husband of Deborah Winslow Bourgeois, passed away Saturday, December 27, 2025.\u00a0 Al was born in <a class=\"Box-sc-ucqo0b-0 Link-sc-1u14kdb-0 HtmlContent___StyledLink-sc-ngx07-0 kEMoTa dEdZYg hRYGv\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legacy.com\/us\/obituaries\/local\/massachusetts\/new-bedford\">New Bedford, Massachusetts<\/a> on October 18, 1950 and was a son of the late Albert and Dorothy (Chicoine) Bourgeois. He received a Bachelor&#8217;s of Science degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Maine and a Master&#8217;s Degree in Science from Michigan State University.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wabi.tv\/2025\/09\/05\/author-challenges-readers-connect-with-nature-these-trees-tell-story\/\">Author challenges readers to connect with nature in \u2018These Trees Tell a Story\u2019 (Charney)<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>September 4, 2025 &#8211; By WABI News Desk<br \/>Noah Charney is assistant professor of Conservation Biology at the University of Maine and coauthor of the award-winning \u201cTracks and Sign of Insects and Other Invertebrates: A Guide to North American Species.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bangordailynews.com\/2025\/08\/05\/opinion\/opinion-contributor\/maine-legislature-bucked-national-trends-to-protect-wildlife-joam40zk0w\/\">Maine Legislature bucked national trends to protect wildlife (Gundrum &#8217;19)<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>August 5, 2025 &#8211; by Opinion Contributor, Bangor Daily News<br \/>These are challenging times for conservationists who are dealing with a federal government and Congress emboldened to weaken federal environmental laws and slash funding and staffing levels at natural resource agencies. Thankfully, there remains a strong will to protect Maine\u2019s environment in our state legislature.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nepm.org\/podcast\/the-fabulous-413\/2025-07-22\/author-noah-charney-legal-advocate-crisis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Author Noah Charney<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>July 22, 2025 &#8211; by Monte Belmonte and Kaliis Smith, The Fabulous 413<br \/>We\u2019re heading out into the wilds to a not so clearly marked location in Hampshire County to witness epochs of evolution and change in the hills and dales.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.beenews.com\/east_aurora_bee\/news\/dec-launches-new-citizen-science-wildlife-monitoring-program\/article_3e757652-51c1-4e23-9fa4-d9ae90b89315.html\">DEC launches new citizen science wildlife monitoring program (Fuller &#8217;06, &#8217;99)<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Jul 8, 2025 &#8211; East Aurora Bee<br \/>The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Cornell University recently announced the launch a new citizen science program \u2014 Snapshot NY \u2014 that allows the public to participate in wildlife monitoring through the deployment of trail cameras, while helping improve the way the DEC monitors and manages more than a dozen wildlife species.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/news\/blog\/2025\/07\/11\/maine-sea-grant-helping-state-conserve-atlantic-salmon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Maine Sea Grant helping state conserve Atlantic salmon (Hannon)<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>July 11, 2025 &#8211; UMaine News<br \/>Whether it\u2019s through fish stocking, habitat restoration or research, the University of Maine-led Maine Sea Grant is helping the Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) conserve Atlantic salmon in the Gulf of Maine \u2014 the last wild populations of the species in the U.S.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsweek.com\/map-shows-states-where-wildlife-under-threat-2092365\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Map Shows States Where Wildlife Is Under Threat (Charney)<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Published Jul 04, 2025 at 6:00 AM EDT &#8211; Newsweek<br \/>A number of Western states have vulnerable wildlife that would be threatened by possible land protection rollbacks, according to the conservation group the Wilderness Society.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legacy.com\/us\/obituaries\/name\/richard-smith-obituary?id=58435798#guestbook\">In Memory of Richard Nutter Smith &#8216; 58<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>May 20, 2025 &#8211; Legacy.com<br \/>Richard Nutter Smith of Vienna, Virginia, passed peacefully at home on May 16, 2025. He was the beloved husband of Dorothy Shoemaker Smith for 65 years, and loving father of Gretchen Burke (Paul), Cynthia Loftin (James), Jennifer Smith (Parris), and Hilary Lambrecht (Bruce). Survivors include ten grandchildren, Timothy (Maggie), Kelly, Jack, Steven, Daniel, Haley (Timothy), Anna, Stephanie, Samuel, Isaac and great-granddaughter Penny. Also surviving is sister Marcia Mink (Roy) of Franktown, VA and many nieces, nephews and cousins.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-header__heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2025\/05\/15\/plan-to-loosen-federal-habitat-protection-seen-as-threat-to-iconic-maine-wildlife\/\">Plan to loosen federal habitat protection seen as threat to iconic Maine wildlife (Charney)<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>May 15, 2025 &#8211; by Penelope Overton, Portland Press Herald<br \/>Maine has its own state endangered species law, but environmentalists say a proposed change in federal law could hurt some Maine species the state has worked to protect.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"article-header__heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.centralmaine.com\/2025\/05\/04\/amphibians-on-the-march-for-their-big-night\/\">Amphibians on the march for their Big Night (Charney)<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>May 4, 2025 &#8211; Kennebec Journal<br \/>On warm, rainy spring nights, Maine&#8217;s amphibians are on the move to make their moves, sometimes with human help.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legacy.com\/us\/obituaries\/recorder\/name\/paul-o-neil-obituary?id=58326096\">In Memory of Paul O&#8217;Neil &#8217;74<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>April 23, 2025 &#8211; Legacy.com<br \/>Leyden, MA &#8211; Paul M. O&#8217;Neil died on April 23 at home in Leyden during a short illness. Paul was born in Fall River on February 21, 1949, the son of Paul Francis O&#8217;Neil and Dorothy Muriel (Davis) O&#8217;Neil.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newscentermaine.com\/video\/news\/local\/bangor\/bri-530-pm-pkg-new-bangor-murals\/97-a42c300a-0ba4-471c-a3c7-d45510890269\">Two new murals in Bangor aim to draw attention to local ecosystem and culture (Fedarick)<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>April 25, 2025 &#8211; NewscenterMaine.com<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.seafoodsource.com\/news\/environment-sustainability\/maine-launches-sturgeon-recovery-program\">Maine launches sturgeon recovery program (CRU)<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>April 21, 2025 &#8211; Seafood Source<br \/>The U.S. state of Maine has launched a new program designed to help Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon recover in Maine waters.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis work will develop the research necessary to support recovery of Atlantic and Shortnose sturgeons and will provide an opportunity for community members to be part of that exciting process,\u201d Maine Department of Marine Research (DMR) Scientist Danielle Frechette said in a statement.<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/news\/blog\/2025\/04\/29\/elizabeth-brennan-outstanding-graduating-student\/\">Elizabeth Brennan (&#8217;25): Outstanding Graduating Student<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>April 29, 2025 &#8211; UMaine News<br \/>Elizabeth Brennan of West Chester, Pennsylvania, is the Outstanding Graduating Student in the College of Earth, Life, and Health Sciences. She is a wildlife ecology major and member of the Honors College, through which she wrote a thesis titled \u201cPhenological changes in Arctic and Common Terns across Maine\u2019s coastal islands.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/www.audubon.org\/magazine\/vernal-pools-are-place-be-woodland-critters-long-they-last\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vernal Pools Are the Place to Be for Woodland Critters\u2014as Long as They Last (Calhoun)<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Spring 2025 &#8211; by Alice Sun, Audubon News<br \/>Researchers and community scientists have teamed up to map and protect these ephemeral biodiversity hotspots before they disappear for good.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.centralmaine.com\/2025\/03\/08\/my-whole-life-has-been-tied-up-in-that-piece-of-property\/\">Manchester family donates almost 100 acres to Kennebec Land Trust (Record)<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>March 10, 2025 &#8211; by Ethan Horton, Kennebec Journal<br \/>Matt Sinclair and his grandfather, Robert Hopkins, are hoping their gift of land in Manchester will give future generations an opportunity to be in nature.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nsefp.ca\/farmland-an-unexpected-yet-important-habitat-for-an-elusive-migratory-bird\/\">Farmland- An Unexpected, Yet Important Habitat for an Elusive Migratory Bird (Darling)<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n<p>February 11, 2025 &#8211; Nova Scotia Environmental Farm Plan<br>In an effort to address the decline in American Woodcocks (Figure 1), the Eastern Woodcock Migration Research Cooperative (woodcockmigration.org), an international collaborative project led by the University of Maine, partnered with dairy farm owners James (Sandy) and Emma Cole from Elderbank, Halifax County NS to study their migratory ecology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legacy.com\/us\/obituaries\/missoulian\/name\/douglas-vollmer-obituary?id=57499381\">In memory of Douglas Vollmer &#8217;53<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>January 16, 2025 &#8211; Legacy.com<br>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&#8217; Home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #008000\"><strong>Check out previous news articles about research being conducted by students and faculty &#8211; <a style=\"color: #008000\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/department-news\/\">here!<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"color: #993300\"><strong>Check out previous news about alums &#8211; <\/strong><a style=\"color: #993300\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/alums\/alums-in-the-news\/\"><strong>here!<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Two scholarships established in memory of Erin Peterson and Joan Trial. The 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.&nbsp; Erin lost her life at the age of 31 doing what she loved.The award is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":445,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/page-withsidebar.php","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-930","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology at the University of Maine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/umaine.edu\/wle\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology at the University of Maine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Two scholarships established in memory of Erin Peterson and Joan Trial. 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