Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program: Washington
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

Washington Technical Assistance Activities


Cascades frog, Southern Cascades, Washington

The Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit provides technical assistance to our Cooperators and to management agencies throughout the US and around the world. The Unit staff are also heavily involved in University and Professional service activities.

Description and Agency Provider(s) Date
Washington Department of Ecology – Review of Monitoring Protocol for Use of Imazamox to Control Japanese Eelgrass in Willapa Bay, WA
Washington Department of Ecology
Grue April 2012
USGS Research Grade Evaluation Panel
USGS
Grue April 2013
Technical reviewer, National recovery strategy for the sea otter (Enhydra lutris) in Canada. Requested by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 15 April 2003. Written review provided 7 May 2003.
VanBlaricom April 2003
Technical review of draft Report, Orca Recovery Conference, Seattle, Washington, 31 May through 2 June 2002.
VanBlaricom October 2002
Technical peer review of the October 2005 Draft Recovery Plan for White Abalone (Haliotis sorenseni), pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as amended.
Office of Protected Resources, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
VanBlaricom March 2006
Technical peer review of a draft cooperative research agreement between Region 7, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC). Done at the invitation of ASLC.
VanBlaricom October 2003
Technical guidance provided to Mr. Joel Bourne, National Geographic Society, for an article on wildlife along the coast of Alaska.
VanBlaricom March 2003
Technical guidance on species identifications for images of marine mammals, to be used in instructional resource development for "National Geographic Kids", a program of the National Geographic Society, Washington DC.
"National Geographic Kids", a program of the National Geographic Society
VanBlaricom November 2016
Technical Workgroup for Adaptive Management of the Lake Washington sockeye salmon mitigation hatchery
Seattle Public Utilities
Beauchamp September 2009
Technical Advisory Committee Lead Shot Ingestion of Swans Wintering in Washington State and British Columbia
Trumpeter Swan Society
Grue June 2004
Student award judge, Graduate Student Symposium
School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences, University of Washington
VanBlaricom November 2011
Student Award Judge, 66th Annual Joint Meeting. Tulalip, Washington, USA.
Pacific Coast Section, National Shellfisheries Association, & Pacific Coast Shellfish Growers Association
VanBlaricom September 2012
Serve on technical, research, and oversight committees for the Lake Washington Basin and Cedar River watershed's Habitat Conservation Plan
Seattle Public Utilities
Beauchamp May 2003
SDM Workshop Facilitator. Facilitated workshops to help a citizen working group identify and recommend a population objective for mountain lions in west-central Montana.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Sells, McInturff April 2023
SDM Workshop Facilitator. Facilitated SDM workshops to help a citizen working group identify and recommend a population objective for mountain lions in northwestern Montana.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Sells, McInturff January 2022
Provided time series data on abundance of black abalones at San Nicolas Island, California, to the Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. Data will be used to assess the status of black abalone populations in the context of possible listing pursuant to the Endangered Species Act.
VanBlaricom January 2004
Provided technical review of US Forest Service research report on wolf conflict
US Forest Service
McInturff August 2023
Provided an internal ethics review for WDFW surveys and reports
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
McInturff August 2022
Provided a review and empirical report on bobcat conflict for the California Dept of Fish and Wildlife
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
McInturff March 2022
Provided FSP review of one technical manuscript authored by a USGS scientist and a university cooperating scientist.
Santa Cruz Field Station, Western Ecological Research Center
VanBlaricom May 2017
Provide training and assistance in social science research to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
McInturff June 2023
Organizer, Monthly Olympia Seminar Series, sponsored by the Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, and the Washington (State) Departments of Ecology, Fisheries, Wildlife, and Natural Resources. Seminars presented on the second Wednesday of each month, October 1995 through June 1996 (first year of the series).
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
VanBlaricom October 1995
Member, Research Program Review Panel, Steller Sea Lion Research Program, Alaska SeaLife Center, Seward, Alaska. Panel convened by the American Institute of Biological Sciences, Reston, Virginia.
VanBlaricom November 2005
Member, Pinto Abalone Status Review Team, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as amended.
Office of Protected Resources, West Coast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
VanBlaricom July 2013
Member, FIFRA Science Advisory Panel, Food Quality Protection Act Board, US EPA, Washington, D.C.
Grue January 2003
Member, Black Abalone Critical Habitat Assessment and Review Team, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as amended.
Office of Protected Resources, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
VanBlaricom July 2010
Member, Advisory Panel, development of an implementation plan for the Bering Sea Integrated Ecosystem Research Program (2007-2011). Convened by the North Pacific Research Board.
VanBlaricom April 2006
Member, Advisory Panel, development of a Comprehensive Marine Stewardship Plan, San Juan County, Washington. Convened by the San Juan County Marine Resource Committee.
VanBlaricom June 2006
Member and elected nominal Chair, Black Abalone Recovery Team, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as amended.
Office of Protected Resources, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
VanBlaricom June 2011
Invited to advise the Province of British Columbia on creating a Cooperative Research Unit (CRU) paralleling ours in the US
Province of British Columbia
McInturff August 2023
Invited participant, Workshop on northern abalone and environmental constraints on northwest marine invertebrate species. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Friday Harbor, Washington. 9-11 September 2003
VanBlaricom September 2003
Invited participant, Workshop on Research Priorities, relating to the decline of sea otter populations in southwestern Alaska. Alaska SeaLife Center and US Fish and Wildlife Service. 5-7 April 2004
VanBlaricom April 2004
Invited participant, Workshop on Monitoring of Marine Mammals and Seabirds in the National Marine Sanctuary System, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Santa Cruz, California. 10-11 December 2002.
VanBlaricom December 2002
Independent Science Advisory Board (ISAB) ad hoc member for Food Web Review of the Columbia River Basin
Northwest Power and Conservation Commission
Beauchamp June 2009
I worked with WDFW to facilitate trapping and health assessments of non-native red foxes on San Juan Island, including on UW property, during summer 2023; this involved revising an existing ACUC protocol to cover the work; a graduate student from my lab helped to lead this effort with WDFW personnel, which provided some capture practice ahead of captures of Cascade red fox in alpine areas
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Converse, Redon August 2023
I served on a hiring committee for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Program, Science Division, to hire the east-side science supervisor
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Converse February 2023
I served on a hiring committee for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Wildlife Program, Science Division Chief
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Converse March 2021
I organized an external review of Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's analysis of habitat change for the western gray squirrel (analysis will support the periodic status review for the species in Washington).
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Converse September 2021
I facilitated the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Population Analysis and Monitoring Information Session, Alaska Marine Science Symposium
NOAA
Converse, Warlick January 2020
I facilitated a decision-analytic process for the Oregon Silverspot Butterfly Habitat Management Working Group
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Converse February 2019
I am leading the WDFW Wildlife Program, Diversity Division, through a process to develop a structured approach to species status assessments
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Converse January 2023
Guidance provided to the Orange County (California) Marine Protected Areas Council regarding availability of data on abundance and conservation status of abalone in the County's coastal (Pacific Ocean) marine habitats.
Orange County (California) Marine Protected Areas Council
VanBlaricom September 2016
Facilitating SDM workshops to help a citizen working group identify and recommend a population objective for mountain lions in western Montana.
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks
McInturff August 2023
Consulting and potentially facilitating a structured decision making process for the spring bear hunt for the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission
Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission
McInturff September 2022
Co-led a workshop on structured decision making for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
McInturff November 2023
Co-led a workshop on structured decision making for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
McInturff July 2022
Co-lead for a US-Canadian, multi-agency and tribal technical work-group to examine factors affecting the marine survival of salmon in Puget Sound-Strait of Georgia (Salish Sea). Co-ordinated by NGOs
USGS
Beauchamp, Kemp January 2011
Co-Organizer: Interface between Aquatic Herbicide Use and Salmonids: A Focus on Critical Habitat in the Pacific Northwest Region, 6-7 June 2012, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
US Army Corps of Engineers
Grue January 2012
Chair, Black Abalone Status Review Team, and lead author, Black Abalone Status Review Report to the Secretary of Commerce, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as amended
Office of Protected Resources, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
VanBlaricom June 2007
Cedar River Sockeye Hatchery Management Plan, City of Seattle, WA
Seattle Public Utilities
Beauchamp January 2000
Assisting USFWS with a trend analysis for core areas of conterminous bull trout in MT, ID, WA, and OR as part of an updated status assessment required under ESA.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Scheuerell November 2020
Role - Description Provider         Start Date        End Date       
Strategic Planning Committee - Appointed to serve on the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences strategic planning committee McInturff April 2022 September 2024
Peer Teaching Review - Peer Teaching Review for University of Washington Colleagues, averaging 2/year Converse January 2021 Present
Panel Moderator: College of the Environment Graduate Student Panel Discussion on Navigating Collaborative Research - Moderate panel discussion Converse February 2022 February 2022
Panel Moderator: College of the Environment Graduate Student Orientation - Moderate a panel for the College of the Environment graduate student orientation Converse September 2021 September 2021
Panel Member; Online Hiring: Getting an Academic Job on Zoom; University of Washington - Online panel for College of the Environment Post-docs Converse April 2020 April 2020
Panel Member; Online Hiring: Getting a Government Job on Zoom; University of Washington - Online panel for College of the Environment Post-docs Converse May 2020 May 2020
Member; Top Predator Ecology Faculty Search Committee; School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences; University of Washington - Member of search committee for Without-Tenure faculty position Converse August 2018 April 2019
Member; School Council; School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences; University of Washington - School governmental body; advise the School Director on policy and School direction Converse September 2018 Present
Member; Research Committee; School of Environmental and Forest Sciences; University of Washington - Serve as member of committee that oversees relationship between SEFS faculty and SEFS grants office, and also works toward developing long-term research vision and strategies Converse November 2017 June 2019
Member; Boersma Chair Faculty Search Committee; Department of Biology; University of Washington Converse June 2019 February 2020
Member; Autumn Seminar Committee; School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences; University of Washington - Organize seminars for fall quarter Converse June 2017 December 2018
Member; Advisory Council; Center for Quantitative Science; University of Washington - Serve as member of a council providing leadership for the Center for Quantitative Science, University of Washington. Converse September 2020 June 2021
Member, Recruitment, Admissions, and Scholarship Committee, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington VanBlaricom October 2001 June 2011
Member, Recruitment, Admissions and Scholarships Committee, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences - Committee reviews all graduate applications and determines which high-performing students will receive scholarship offers Scheuerell September 2021 September 2022
Member, Recruitment, Admissions and Scholarships Committee, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences - Committee reviews all graduate applications and determines which high-performing students will receive scholarship offers Scheuerell June 2019 September 2020
Member, Graduation Committee, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences - Organize the annual graduation ceremony for the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences Converse September 2019 Present
Member, Future Rivers Advisory Committee, University of Washington - This program will prepare trainees to become fluent in 21st century data science approaches to understand interactions among and within food, water, and energy sectors in order to expand the options for environmental sustainability. As an EarthLab initiative, students will learn to work in applied ways within career fields outside of academia to create a solid foundation that connects academic, government, industry, and community partners. Scheuerell September 2020 Present
Member, Diving Safety Committee, University of Washington VanBlaricom October 1996 June 2015
Member, DEI committee for the USGS CRU program - Provide DEI resources to the USGS Cooperative Units Program. Scheuerell June 2020 September 2022
Member, Curriculum Committee, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences - Participate in discussions around best practices for teaching and evaluate new course proposals. Scheuerell September 2020 September 2021
Member, All-Hands Planning Committee, SAFS, UW Converse January 2023 April 2023
Member, Academic Grievance Committee, College of the Environment, UW - Oversee fair and open grievance process for students. Scheuerell September 2020 Present
Member Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, University of Washington - Representative for the School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences on the University's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee - project reviews and inspections Grue July 2010 Present
Graduate Recruitment Admissions and Scholarship Committee - Screen and rank graduate admissions applications, select scholarship candidates, rank and evaluate supplemental scholarships for research proposals Beauchamp September 2000 September 2002
Faculty liaison, Students Explore Aquatic Sciences, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences Scheuerell September 2020 Present
Faculty Senate - Attend Monthly Faculty Senate meetings, execise faculty governance of university policies regarding academics, research, operations, etc. Beauchamp September 2007 June 2009
Faculty Search Committees - Search Committees for: Marine ecologist W. Regional Aquaculture Director Large-scale forcing scientist Freshwater ecologist Beauchamp June 2002 June 2006
Faculty Member, Representative for Academic Grievance Panel, Graduate School, UW - Graduate students who believe they have been subjected to unfair treatment in the administration of academic policies may, except as noted below, seek resolution of their complaints under this Academic Grievance Procedure. I served as one of two faculty representatives on a grievance panel. Scheuerell January 2020 March 2020
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee; Center for Quantitative Sciences; University of Washington - Participate as a member of the DEI Committee for the UW Center for Quantitative Sciences. Converse September 2022 Present
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (member) - Contribute to discussions and activities within the committee McInturff September 2023 June 2025
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (co-chair) - Co-chair of the DEIC committee for SEFS at UW McInturff September 2021 September 2023
Curriculum Committee - Serve on the Curriculum Committee for the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences McInturff September 2023 September 2025
Curriculum Committee - Evaluate undergraduate and graduate curricula and recommend modifications to classes orcurricula as needed Beauchamp September 2006 January 2015
College Council, alternate - Vote on college policies, faculty promotions, etc. Beauchamp September 2006 June 2008
Co-chair; WACFWRU Assistant Unit Leader Search Committee; School of Environmental and Forest Sciences; University of Washington - Chair of the search committee for WACFWRU Assistant Unit Leader - Wildlife Converse April 2020 April 2021
Co-chair; WACFWRU Assistant Unit Leader Search Committee; School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences; University of Washington - Organize search for WACFWRU AUL and SAFS faculty member Converse March 2018 March 2019
Co-chair; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee; School of Environmental and Forest Sciences; University of Washington Converse September 2019 June 2021
Chair; Covid-19 Safety for Field Work Committee; School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences; University of Washington - Appointed Chair of ad-hoc Committee in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences to provide review and approvals of field work Covid-19 health and safety plans. Converse April 2020 September 2020
Chair, E&I Committee, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences - Chair our department's DEI committee Scheuerell September 2022 Present
Chair, Big Beef Creek Research Station, Research Committee - Evaluate and coordinate research activities among university and agency users. Promote the utlilty of the facility to potential regional users. Beauchamp March 2000 September 2006
Alternate Member, College Council, College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington VanBlaricom October 2003 August 2006
Role and Organization Individual         Start Date        End Date       
WDFW Social Science Community of Practice McInturff June 2023 January 2030
USGS Research Grade Evaluation Panel Converse September 2023 September 2023
USGS Research Grade Evaluation Panel Converse April 2017 April 2017
USGS Research Grade Evaluation Panel Grue April 2013 April 2013
Scientific Steering Committee Member, International Statistical Ecology Conference Converse April 2021 June 2022
Puget Sound Seabird Survey Advisory Group Converse February 2023 Present
Puget Sound Partnership, Social Science Advisory Committee McInturff January 2022 Present
Member, Western Gray Whale Advisory Panel (and predecessor panels), Global Marine Programme, International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Gland, Switzerland VanBlaricom March 2004 December 2015
Member, Scientific Advisory Committee, Marine Ecosystem Health Program, Wildlife Health Center, University of California, Davis VanBlaricom April 2000 December 2003
Member, Review Committee, Contaminant Biology Program, U.S. Geological Survey Grue January 2004 September 2004
Member, National Expert Monitoring Panel, development of a system-wide monitoring program for the National Marine Sanctuary Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. VanBlaricom April 2002 December 2002
Member, FIFRA Science Advisory Panel, Food Quality Protection Act Board, US EPA, Washington, D.C. Grue March 2004 April 2004
Member, Advisory Committee, The Menzies Project: Marine Research Cruise Program, Port Townsend Marine Science Center, Port Townsend, Washington VanBlaricom February 2002 August 2005
Member, Advisory Committee to the Seattle Aquarium Research Center for Conservation and Husbandry VanBlaricom January 2002 January 2002
EURING Technical Meeting - 2021: Session Chair Converse January 2021 June 2021
Ad hoc group to form CRU Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee Converse February 2020 May 2020
Outreach Activity Provider(s)        Date       
Tough choices: making better decisions for greater conservation success. Zoological Society of London, London, United Kingdom. Converse November 2017
Sequim Gazette article on research at Protection Island. Converse, Pendleton September 2023
School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences Open House - Open House for Seattle K-12 students Converse, Amburgey, Sorel May 2021
School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences Open House - Open House for Seattle K-12 students Converse, Sipe, Bratt, Sorel, Amburgey May 2019
Review comments provided to a private company, Microsoft of Redmond, Washington, on the technical accuracy of instructional software, "Magic School Bus Whales Project", designed for elementary school children. VanBlaricom December 2000
Recorded interview, KUOW radio (NPR affiliate station), Seattle, Washington. Discussion of research on ecological effects of geoduck aquaculture operations, southern Puget Sound, Washington, USA. VanBlaricom March 2012
Poster and equipment presentations relating to marine mammal research activities of the Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. "Washington Weekend" public open house, University of Washington, Seattle. VanBlaricom April 2006
Participation, by invitation, in a meeting with U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell at Friday Harbor, Washington, to discuss the status, trends, and management options for the southern resident population of killer whales (Orcinus orca) off northwestern Washington and southwestern British Columbia. Meeting was attended by scientists, local community leaders, and representatives of conservation organizations and local businesses. Information and opinions provided will be used by the Senator to help guide federal policy and management actions regarding the whale population. VanBlaricom August 2001
Participated in a "Climate Science on Tap" event sponsored by Cascadia Climate Action, where the public gets to ask scientists questions about the environment. Scheuerell August 2019
Organized a field trip for staffers from Washington's Congressional delegation to see firsthand field sampling being done to evaluate the effects of estuarine habitat restoration in the Skagit River delta on ESA-listed juvenile salmon. Scheuerell August 2019
Organize a monthly fish and wildlife seminar for UW, WSU, Washington DFW, Washington DNR, and other state and federal agencies. Ongoing seminar entering year 3 of monthly sessions McInturff January 2022
Nontechnical book: VanBlaricom, G.R. 2001. Sea otters. Colin Baxter Photography, Grantown-on-Spey, Scotland VanBlaricom September 2001
Non-technical presentation on ecological effects of geoduck aquaculture operations on natural ecosystems of southern Puget Sound, Washington. Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence, Communicating Ocean and Marine Science Workshop. University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. VanBlaricom November 2008
Non-technical article on the bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) for the 2010 edition of the World Book Encyclopedia (World Book, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). VanBlaricom September 2008
News article on research McInturff January 2022
Mercer Island Reporter article on carnivores in Mount Rainier National Park Converse December 2022
Meeting of Friends of Burley Lagoon, Port Orchard, Washington, USA. Presentation and group discussion of results to date, research program on ecological effects of geoduck aquaculture operations on intertidal sands flats in southern Puget Sound. VanBlaricom September 2012
Live interview, KMAS radio, Shelton, Washington. Discussion of research on ecological effects of geoduck aquaculture operations, southern Puget Sound, Washington, USA. VanBlaricom March 2012
Labs Unlocked event at University of Washington, featuring UW College of the Environment work in Tetiaroa, French Polynesia. Our team provided a 30-minute talk and activities to approximately 75 attendees Converse, DuVall January 2020
Invited verbal presentation on the biology of sea otters to two classes (one pre-school, one elementary school) at Labyrinth Cooperative Home School, Sammamish, Washington, USA. VanBlaricom May 2006
Invited verbal presentation on telemetric methods for study of the ecology of free-ranging marine mammals. Seattle Chapter of the American Society for Professional Engineers. Seattle, Washington, USA. VanBlaricom May 2006
Invited verbal presentation on sea otters to a membership meeting of the Adopt-a-Stream Foundation, Everett, Washington. VanBlaricom December 2001
Invited verbal presentation on marine mammal science activities at the School of Fisheries, University of Washington, Seattle, to the Student Volunteer Program, Seattle Aquarium, Seattle, Washington. VanBlaricom May 1999
Invited verbal presentation on marine mammal research in the School of Aquatic Fisheries, University of Washington, Teen Naturalist Group, Seattle Aquarium. VanBlaricom May 2001
Invited verbal presentation on Careers in Marine Mammal Research to the Youth at Hope Business Leadership Program, City Hall, Bellevue, Washington. VanBlaricom July 2000
Invited verbal presentation entitled "Marine mammal research", as part of the Program on Careers and Research in Oceanography and Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. Sponsored by the College of Ocean and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle. 4 May 2004. VanBlaricom May 2004
Invited testimony: "Viability models for the conservation status of Steller sea lions." Meeting of the Committee on Alaska Groundfish Fishery and Steller Sea Lions, National Research Council. VanBlaricom December 2001
Invited participant, Washington Department of Ecology, Washington Department of General Administration, Capitol Lake Adaptive Management Plan (CLAMP) Steering Committee public meeting to discuss the use of tricloypr to control Eurasian watermilfoil in Capitol Lake in Olympia, WA Grue April 2004
Interview on research McInturff, Converse July 2022
Discussion of controversies associated with rehabilitation of marine wildlife injured by human activities. Broadcast on KING television (Channel 5, Seattle, NBC affiliate) by tape delay on 7 May 1998. VanBlaricom April 1998
Briefing on WACFWRU Mission and Activities, for Washington State Senator Jesse Salomon, 32nd Legislative District. Converse, Scheuerell, McInturff September 2021