Janet Haslerig
Avian Ecologist
As an avian ecologist with MDC, Janet Haslerig is the recovery leader for bald eagles and interior least terns. She serves as the state coordinator for the North American Breeding Bird Survey and Eagle Watch Program. She is the principal investigator for a long-term songbird research project in the Ozarks and a bald eagle monitoring study at the Atchison Renewable Energy Center. She also serves as the agency’s reviewer for all wind and solar projects as they pertain to raptors and birds.
A Typical Day
“No two days are the same,” Haslerig said. “As much as I like to plan my day, my days are often filled with challenging, unexpected, exciting, and difficult tasks. My day may start with checking emails and end with attending a symposium or exploring a trail, looking and listening for birds.”
Notable Projects
Currently, there is a bald eagle monitoring project in northwest Atchison County where a team of world-renown researchers trap adult and immature eagles and put GPS transmitters on them to track their movements through several wind farms in northwest Missouri.
“I have the rare opportunity and pleasure of lending assistance with this work, including holding the eagles,” Haslerig said.
In addition, the Eagle Watch Program, which started in 2018, is a citizen science program where individuals volunteer to monitor activity of nesting bald eagles during breeding season.
“Volunteers spend countless hours across the state monitoring one, five, or 20 nests,” Haslerig said. “The excitement and joy of watching an eaglet learn to fly and leave the nest is exhilarating.”
The volunteer-led ground observations are supplemented by an annual aerial survey conducted by Haslerig each spring.
How You Can Help
Volunteer for the Eagle Watch Program and the Breeding Bird Survey, report injured or dead raptors, advocate for proper placement of wind and solar facilities, consider using non-lead ammunition, reduce bird collisions at your home and office, brake for wildlife, and be aware of the impacts — both positive and negative — we have on our natural resources.
- Bachelor’s degree, Middle Tennessee State University: animal science
- Master’s degree, University of Missouri-Columbia: wildlife management
(population ecology of giant Canada geese) - Doctoral degree, University of Florida: wildlife ecology (human and wildlife conflicts in Tanzania)
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This Issue's Staff
Editor – Angie Daly Morfeld
Associate Editor – Larry Archer
Photography Editor – Ben Nickelson
Staff Writer – Kristie Hilgedick
Staff Writer – Joe Jerek
Staff Writer – Dianne Van Dien
Designer – Marci Porter
Designer – Kate Morrow
Photographer – Noppadol Paothong
Photographer – David Stonner
Circulation – Marcia Hale