Gender, Colonialism, and the Epistemology of Mycology

Toni Sardelis, Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student

Other

This paper critically examines the exclusion of Indigenous women and early women scientists from the field of mycology. It highlights how their ecological, medicinal, and ceremonial knowledge was appropriated by men who received institutional credit, authorship, and economic gain. Case studies include María Sabina, Mary Elizabeth Banning, Mapuche women, and more, whose work has been essential yet erased. It also critiques how contemporary myco-capitalism and tourism commodify their knowledge and cultural practices without consent, often disrupting local economies and ecosystems. The paper calls for accountability in attribution, citation, representation, and benefit-sharing.

Great Blue Herons and feeding ecology (title may change at a later date)

Thalia Contreras, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

How successful great blue herons are with their feeding strategies and how anthropogenic factors may influence behavior in the ardeids.

Habitat Variation and Shorebird Roosting Flocks: Examining Species Composition Across Arcata Marsh

Karl Vanuska, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This research project looks at how species composition in shorebird roosting flocks varies across different locations within Arcata Marsh. This research assess how environmental factors, such as substrate type, vegetation cover, proximity to foraging areas, and tidal conditions, influence species richness and diversity at roosting sites. As well as if behavior may change due to species composition within roosting flocks.

Harmonic Analysis of Currents within Humboldt Bay

Caitlin Williams, Oceanography Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Multiyear time series of current data measured by 2 horizontal SonTek/YSI ADCPs placed mid-depth in the water column at 2 different locations in Humboldt Bay, CA, a shallow, tidally-driven estuary in northern California, were analyzed to determine the contributions of different harmonic frequencies within the bay. Spectral analysis of the time series revealed that the currents are dominated by several tidal harmonics. The 3 dominant frequencies include M2, K1, and O1, but their contribution varies spatially between the two station locations. Additional frequencies in the data indicate overtides, as well as potential interference with topography and the more variable wind-induced currents.

How Do Anthropogenic Disturbances Affect Marbled Godwits in Humboldt Bay

Emma Leininger, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

How Do Anthropogenic Disturbances Affect Marbled Godwits in Humboldt Bay? I looked into how different types of human disturbances effect responses and vigilance in marbled godwits.

How Does Habitat Ecological Resolution Effect Bat Population in Arcata CA and Trinity CA?

Katrina Maynez , Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Bat acoustic survey done in Arcata CA and Trinity CA across 6 different sites. How does habitat ecological resolutions effect bat population in Arcata CA vs Trinity CA?

How Does Restoration Affect Food Web Dynamics Within Quail Populations in the McKinleyville Land Trust Dow’s Prairie Educational Wetland?

Zen Godinez, Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

The McKinleyville Land Trust’s Dow’s Prairie Educational Wetland is a 2.55-acre endangered coastal prairie wetland in California, conserved in 2009. Restoration efforts with the Wiyot Tribe and U.S. Fish & Wildlife removed invasives and reintroduced native plants, but coincided with declining California quail (Callipepla californica) populations. This study establishes the first baseline conditions, using wildlife cameras and botanical surveys to assess quail habitat suitability, examining invasive removal, predation, and fragmentation impacts. Findings will guide adaptive management to balance biodiversity and restoration, while honoring the Baduwa’t Wiyot’s ancestral homeland.

How Ecological Restoration Affects Mammalian Species Diversity and Evenness in Coastal Dune Systems

Samantha Lieburn, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

I tested the effects of differning landscape management practices at two different coastal dune systems in Humboldt County , California. I did this to see how ecological restoration of native plant compositions affected mammalian species richness and evenness.

Human Disturbance and Foraging Behavior of Aleutian Geese

Molly Smialkowski, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Interested in the affect of human presence on foraging behavior of geese, I conducted an observational study of Aleutian geese where I compared their behavior between two sites. Individual geese were chosen at random and observed for 5 minutes as average sound in decibels and human count was recorded. During this period the behaviors displayed were also recorded. The analysis outcome highlights the impact that human presence has on the behavior of Aleutian geese.

Humboldt Forensics: Lumberjack Speech and Debate 1926 - 2025

Aaron Donaldson, Communication Faculty

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

A visual representation of the nearly 100 years of Intercollegiate Speech and Debate at Cal Poly Humboldt.