2004 Angus Gavin Memorial Migratory Bird Research Grant recipients named

Submitted by Carla Browning
Phone: (907) 474-7778
01/22/04

The University of Alaska Foundation announces the recipients of the 2004 Angus Gavin Memorial Migratory Bird Research Grant.

Cory Williams and Heather Wilson, graduate students attending the University of Alaska Fairbanks are splitting the first place prize. Each will receive $10,437 for their research during the 2004 field season. Laura Sederstrom, undergraduate student attending the University of Alaska Anchorage has been awarded a mini grant of $666.10 for her research during the 2004 field season.

Williams is a Ph.D candidate studying marine biology in UAF’s School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences. His proposal is titled,"Using Tufted Puffins as Biological Indicators of Marine Productivity and Forage Fish Availability in the Western Gulf of Alaska."

Wilson is a Ph.D. candidate working towards a Ph.D. in Biology and Wildlife. Her proposal is titled, " Survival and Reproduction of Pacific Common Eiders on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta.

Sederstrom is an undergraduate student working towards a bachelor of science degree in natural science. Her proposal is titled, "Songbird habitat relationships of Bettles, Alaska."

Grants are to be used for the support of research on bird species found either permanently or seasonally in Alaska or its coastal waters, including their biology, general ecology and habitat relationships.

This grant was established in 1981 with a gift from ARCO to honor the memory of Angus Gavin who served as an environmental advisor to Atlantic Richfield Company. He was hand-picked by ARCO Chairman, Robert O. Anderson to observe, categorize and quantify the little known flora and fauna of Prudhoe Bay in 1969. Gavin was to draw conclusions, pro or con, about the impact of oil field development on the ecology of the North Slope and to recommend operational changes that would minimize or negate any adverse effects on the environment.

For more information contact:
University of Alaska Foundation
Attn: Brandi Berg
910 Yukon Drive, Suite 206
PO Box 755080
Fairbanks, AK 99775-5080

907-474-7687 phone
907-474-7664 fax