Male Grouping Behavior in Giant Chacoan peccary

Finley Gralian, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

A behavioral observation of captive male Chacoan peccaries at Sequoia Park Zoo to identify whether the males group by age, genetic relatedness, or personality.

Map of Low and No-Cost Outdoor Recreation Near Cal Poly Humboldt

Teddy Goyette, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Professional Studies

This project was part of a senior seminar course credit in pursuit of a Recreation Administration degree, and stemmed from a deep devotion and love of outdoor recreation. With a core focus around financial accessiblity and engagement with local outdoor recreation, I wanted to create a visually appealing and readily available map displaying these locations in relativity to the Cal Poly Humboldt campus. All locations allow students, visitors, and community members to engage with nature-based activities without the burden of high costs or extensive travel. This project not only reflects my passion for equitable outdoor access but also represents a personal and professional growth experience.

Measuring Success of Adaptive Management of European Soaring Birds

Nick Salgado-Stanley, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

While there has been an expansion of investment into renewable energy sources, less research has emerged concerning how to balance the economic benefit and conservation costs of new developments. One of the most economically productive wind developments in Europe rests to the north of the Strait of Gibraltar, in Tarifa, Spain. This is also one of the largest annual migration points for migratory birds traveling between Africa and Europe. Using historical data of bird collisions and employee reports of turbine stops, this study investigates the success of human observers protocol in preventing avian fatalities across a decade of migration seasons.

Modeling Peak Photosynthesis in The Great Smoky Mountains

Crystal Diaz, Environmental Science & Management Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This study examines how climate change is affecting plant phenology—the timing of seasonal growth—in the Great Smoky Mountains (GSM), a deciduous forest located between North Carolina and Tennessee. The research focuses on how variations in spring temperature and winter precipitation influence the timing of peak vegetation growth, measured using the Green Chromatic Coordinate (GCC). GCC is a spectral index that tracks the greenness of vegetation from RGB images, indicating leaf development and peak photosynthesis. Using data from the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), the project aims to predict when peak GCC occurs each year.

Moonlights Effect on Mesopredators Use of Trails in the Arcata Community Forest

Miranda Jones, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

A camera trap study of mesopredator trail use in relation to moonlight in the Arcata Community Forest.

Morning Fuel: How Breakfast Timing and Composition Influence Cognitive Performance and Critical Thinking in College Students

Tyler Ruys, School of Applied Health Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

This project explores how the timing and nutritional content of breakfast impacts cognitive performance in college students, with a focus on critical thinking and memory. Findings suggest that eating a balanced, protein-rich breakfast within 1–2 hours of waking significantly enhances mental clarity and task performance.

Native Bee Diversity and Floral Host Preferences

Annette Moulay, Environmental Studies Undergraduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Native bees provide crucial and efficient pollination services (Kremin, 2002). However, habitat fragmentation due to urban sprawl can contribute to native bee biodiversity loss (Hung, 2017). The College of the Canyons Buzz team used native bee diversity as a proxy for biodiversity and conducted research on native bee diversity on both of our college facilities and at nearby locations from April 2022 through July 2024. 213 bees across 5 families and 18 genera were collected from the Valencia campus, and floral hosts were documented. The goal was to attain an initial Shannon’s H diversity Index for the Valencia campus with a plan to enrich the campus habitat to attract more diversity.

Nectar Sweetness Preference in Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte Anna)

Jeff Gartner, Wildlife Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

An investigation into the foraging preferences in Anna's Hummingbird

Nourishing Communities, One Meal at a Time

Petrita Rodriguez, College Corp Undergraduate Student

College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Food banks around the country are working to alleviate hunger and improve food security for low-income families, seniors, and children through distribution programs and nutrition education. This poster explores the vital role that food banks play in our community and examines how federal budget cuts - especially to SNAP and TEFAP - threaten its ability to serve those in need. By highlighting both research and community data, this project underscores the urgent need to support local food systems and advocate for sustainable food assistance programs.

Nourishing Community Health

Levit Cantu, Biological Sciences Undergraduate Student

College of Natural Resources & Sciences

Open Door Health Centers is a nonprofit community clinic that provides affordable, accessible healthcare to underserved populations. As a College Corps Fellow, I work with the Member Services department, specifically supporting gardens and food resources. My role focuses on increasing access to fresh, healthy food through community garden initiatives and resource navigation. This experience has allowed me to support food security efforts while gaining insight into the intersection of health, nutrition, and community service.