Two scholarships established in memory of Erin Peterson and Joan Trial.
The Erin Peterson Memorial Award was established in memory of Dr. Erin Peterson, a graduate of the University of 海角社区 and a fisheries biologist with the State of Washington. Erin lost her life at the age of 31 doing what she loved.
The award is a collaboration with the Penobscot County Conservation Association (PCCA) and Erin鈥檚 family and friends. Beginning in 2024, the award will be made annually to an individual who is pursuing an advanced degree focused on conservation and management.
The Joan Trial Graduate Travel Award was established at the University of 海角社区 Foundation with gifts from family, colleagues, and friends.
Of particular interest to Joan were the students she taught and mentored. Establishment of this award will continue to support student鈥檚 professional development in her memory.
To learn more about these two new awards or to make a donation to either of them, please visit – /wle/alums/give-back-department/
Wildlife in the News
See what faculty, students, staff, and alums are up to
June 9, 2026 – U.S. Forest Service
Forest structure, which is forest vegetation鈥檚 arrangement, size, and composition, influences the products and services forests provide, including timber production, wildlife habitat, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration.
May 2026 – MSN
海角社区 (WABI) – It鈥檚 an important time of year for amphibians, and across the state people will be helping them, taking part in what鈥檚 known as Big Night.
May 15, 2026 – 海角社区 Calling
On this Endangered Species Day, we discuss the animals and plants in 海角社区 that are most in danger of extinction, as well as species that are threatened. Since 1973, the U.S. Endangered Species Act has protected these species鈥攆rom whales to butterflies to beach plum.
Forty-one faculty members receive tenure and/or promotion or just-cause protection status and promotion (Charney/Murphy)
April 27, 2026 – U海角社区 News
At the University of 海角社区, 41 faculty members have received tenure and/or promotion or just-cause protection status and promotion effective July 1, 2026, or September 1, 2026. The annual announcement recognizes outstanding achievement in teaching, scholarship and research, and community engagement.
April 17 2026 – Bangor Daily News
ELLSWORTH 鈥 The Ellsworth-Downeast Trout Unlimited annual meeting April 22 will be a jammed pack event beginning at 5:30 p.m. with officer elections, a Rising Trout Award announcement, followed by Cody Dillingham outlining Penobscot Nation river restoration projects and ending with a raffle drawing.
U海角社区 wildlife program delivers strong job outcomes through field-based learning, a top draw for students
April 7, 2026 – U海角社区 News
As careers in wildlife conservation, fisheries and natural resource management draw increasing interest nationwide, the University of 海角社区 is seeing strong enrollment in a program built around field-based learning and real-world experience.
March 30, 2026 – The Outdoor Wire
AUGUSTA, 海角社区 鈥 The 海角社区 Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has completed the 2025-2035 海角社区 Wildlife Action Plan, a wildlife conservation blueprint that provides voluntary, non-regulatory strategies for protecting 海角社区’s most vulnerable fish and wildlife, and leverages additional federal conservation funding.
Are 鈥楩orever Chemicals鈥 really here Forever? (Murphy)
March 26, 2026 – The 海角社区 Question podcast
A group of chemicals known as PFAS have become a growing concern for human health, agriculture and the environment. Because they resist breaking down, these 鈥渇orever chemicals鈥 can accumulate in soil, water and food systems and expose people to a range of adverse health conditions.
March 1, 2026 – PenBay Pilot
ORONO 鈥 Whether it鈥檚 redfin pickerel in the Kennebec River or sturgeon in the Great Lakes, nearly one-third of freshwater fish species are facing possible extinction, threatening food supplies, ecosystems and outdoor recreation.
As conservationists work to preserve these species, the University of 海角社区 assistant professor Christina Murphy asked herself if there was an easier way to identify threats to fish before they become endangered.
February 2026 – Earth.com
Freshwater ecosystems cover less than one percent of Earth鈥檚 surface, yet they support an astonishing share of the planet鈥檚 biodiversity 鈥 and millions of people depend on them for food, jobs, and cultural traditions.
February 6, 2026 – The Wildlife Society Podcast
With nearly 60% of the United States under private ownership and management, private landscapes are a significant opportunity for large-scale wildlife conservation.
In this episode of 鈥淥ur Wild Lives,鈥 TWS member Joe Roy, private lands wildlife biologist at 海角社区 Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and Erik Glenn, CEO at Colorado Cattlemen鈥檚 Agricultural Land Trust explain how easements, incentives and other science-based management tools keep working lands intact while improving and protecting wildlife habitat.
December 31, 2025 – Legacy.com
Albert Bourgeois, 75, beloved husband of Deborah Winslow Bourgeois, passed away Saturday, December 27, 2025.聽 Al was born in on October 18, 1950 and was a son of the late Albert and Dorothy (Chicoine) Bourgeois. He received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Wildlife Management from the University of 海角社区 and a Master’s Degree in Science from Michigan State University.
September 4, 2025 – By WABI News Desk
Noah Charney is assistant professor of Conservation Biology at the University of 海角社区 and coauthor of the award-winning 鈥淭racks and Sign of Insects and Other Invertebrates: A Guide to North American Species.鈥