ENST Brown Bag: Movement of Life - Science and Conservation in Motion

The Environmental Studies Program welcomes research ecologist Jared Stabach to explore movement ecology as it relates to wildlife conservation.

A world leader in the field of movement ecology, Smithsonian’s Movement of Life initiative aims to understand the full life cycle of species globally, connecting researchers to identify the ecological conditions necessary for species survival and persistence. Jared will share practical case studies, from the reintroduction of scimitar-horned oryx in Chad to assessing the movements of giraffe, wildebeest, and elephants, to demonstrate the important role that animal movement data plays in assessing conservation challenges and developing effective, evidence‑based solutions.

Bio
Jared Stabach is a research ecologist and head of the Center for Conservation Technology & Innovation at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. He also leads the terrestrial program for the Smithsonian’s Movement of Life Initiative. His research explores the ecological drivers of abundance, distribution, and movement in large terrestrial mammals, integrating machine learning methods to reveal how wildlife populations are changing across ecosystems globally. Since joining the Smithsonian in 2015 as a postdoctoral fellow, Jared has contributed to major conservation efforts, including the reintroduction of scimitar-horned oryx, assessing the factors influencing the occurrence of critically endangered addax, and publishing applied solutions to pressing conservation challenges. Jared serves as a scientific advisor to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Giraffe and Okapi Specialist Group. He earned his B.S. in biology from Providence College, his M.S. in environmental science from the University of Rhode Island, and his Ph.D. in ecology from Colorado State University.

Hamilton Whole Foods will cater vegetarian wraps. Please bring your own reusable water bottle.