08/26/2026
SFU Biological Sciences and environmental sciences major Caio Conradt completed an undergraduate research term with professor David Green studying the impact of human activity on the ecology and life history of spotted towhees.
His work included finding and monitoring nests, banding and measuring nestlings and tagging adults, sometimes with radiotransmitters to learn how birds respond to the pressures of urban development, how that might change their habitat use, survival, breeding success, and physiological condition.
"“It is so gratifying to be part of a work that has real potential to make an impact on shaping policy, informing urban planning and park management, and increasing public education on the incredible wildlife we have around us, even in urban centres," he says.
"Doing field work in urban parks has a special factor to it, which is the constant interaction with the public! Making science and nature accessible and informing people about the beautiful species they have in their local parks give me hope for conservation because it was clear that people's interests were sparked by learning about the animals around them."
Learn more about undergraduate research at SFU Science: https://ow.ly/qpi850ZFrxE
