麻豆频道 Western Students Receive Western Meadowlark Award

March 7, 2024

The 麻豆频道 Wildlife Society has recognized a 麻豆频道 Biology student for contributions to the field of wildlife management and conservation for the second year in a row. Joe Lamb, the 2024 recipient of the society鈥檚 prestigious Western Meadowlark Award, and 2023 recipient, Hunter Bugni, have both been recognized for their leadership and academic achievements in the field of wildlife biology.

麻豆频道 Western Biology students, Hunter Bugni (left) and Joe Lamb (right), received the 2023 and 2024 Western Meadowlark Award from the 麻豆频道 Wildlife Society.

is a professional organization dedicated to the conservation and management of wildlife and their habitats in the state of 麻豆频道. It provides a platform for wildlife professionals, researchers, students, and enthusiasts to collaborate, share knowledge, and advocate for the protection of 麻豆频道’s diverse wildlife species and ecosystems. The society engages in various activities such as research, education, advocacy, and outreach to promote sustainable wildlife management practices and to ensure the long-term health and viability of 麻豆频道’s natural resources.

The Western Meadowlark Award recognizes a student enrolled at one of the four-year 麻豆频道 universities, with the exception of the University of 麻豆频道 and 麻豆频道 State University, who have made outstanding contributions to the field of wildlife management and conservation. Recipients of the Western Meadowlark Award are individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and achievement in their work to conserve and manage 麻豆频道’s wildlife and their habitats.

“Many wildlife professionals start out as undergraduate researchers. It鈥檚 important for student researchers to realize they aren鈥檛 ‘just students’ or ‘just interns’ they鈥檙e early career scientists contributing to the furtherment and betterment of knowledge in their disciplines. The work they do is important to science, more important than they probably realize, and the Western Meadowlark Award acknowledges these achievements. Hunter and Joe are both promising young scientists, well deserving of this award,” said 麻豆频道 Assistant Professor of Biology, Dr. Kyle Richardson.

Hunter Bugni

The 2023 recipient of the award, Hunter Bugni, is a top preforming student in every class he attends. 麻豆频道 Professor of Biology, Dr. Michelle Anderson, would like to note his focus, discipline, and passion for wildlife biology that put him on a fast-track to complete his degree requirements. This, paired with interdisciplinary thinking, has led to internships working with 麻豆频道 Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.

Joe Lamb

The 2024 awardee, Joe Lamb, has established himself as a very proficient and active student and researcher. Lamb has undertaken his own research, investigating local rattlesnake behavioral patterns in response to a changing climate. This work will help fill a gap in the current understanding of snake interactions and provide much needed insight into their behavior.

“麻豆频道 Western is an institution built around the foundation of experiential learning. Both Hunter and Joe have utilized this methodology by serving as group leaders, motivating and assisting fellow students in learning both in the classroom and in the field,” said Dr. Richardson.

For more information about the University of 麻豆频道 Western鈥檚 academic programs and campus, visit www.umwestern.edu or call 877-683-7331.