Welcome to the Wildlife Habitat Ecology Lab at Montana State University. We conduct applied research to improve ecological understanding and conservation of wildlife. Our study systems are diverse and include animals with a wide range of life histories and ecosystems that differ in seasonality and patterns of resource availability. We use both experimental and observational approaches and employ a variety of techniques including mark-recapture, radio-telemetry, surveys, stable isotopes, and quantitative modeling to answer questions about wildlife-habitat relationships.
A major focus of our research and teaching programs is working with animal and range scientists to develop novel management strategies that benefit both wildlife and producers. Much of our research addresses questions regarding space use and demography of free-ranging animals in response to habitat manipulation and human land use.
WHEL is located within the Department of Animal and Range Sciences at Montana State University. Our partners include state and federal widlife agencies.
Program in Ecology and Environmental Sciences (http://www.montana.edu/ees/) The program in Ecology and Environmental Sciences was developed jointly by the Departments of Ecology and Land Resources & Environmental Sciences as a broad interdisciplinary Ph.D. program open to graduate students in several departments in the Colleges of Letters & Science and Agriculture.
Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow (CLfT) is a professional development program designed for student and professional leaders within the natural resource sciences. CLfT focuses on hunting awareness and conservation education among academic programs and government agencies.
The WHC was created in 1991 to address wildlife issues on rangelands and provide a forum for SRM members interested in the subject. Its mission is to make known the ecology and management behind wildlife habitat issues, to foster relationships with wildlife interests and to provide vision and solutions for wildlife habitat challenges.
