David conducted the first ever assessment of bird species composition in the National Wildlife Refuge System. He was able to identify a number of protected species in the refuge system. That information has been used nationally by the refuge system to identify potential new refuges and by Region Three of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to craft a vision for the National Wildlife Refuge System in 2103, their 200th anniversary. Also, his findings and those of Anna Pidgorna, a Ph.D. alumna of Environmental Science, have prompted the National Park Service to join forces with the University of Idaho and USFWS to identify gaps in refuge system coverage within national parks. This partnership has huge implications for how these new conservation systems move forward to meet the challenge of climate change. Congratulations David!