Appleton-Whittell Research Fellows Webinar Series
September 11, 18 & 25, 2026
12:00–1:00 PM MST
Virtual
Join the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch and Audubon Southwest for the 2026 Appleton-Whittell Research Fellows Webinar Series!
Hear from research fellows who spent their summer at the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch in southeastern Arizona and learn about their research on fire and Emory oak dynamics, Chiricahua leopard frog conservation, and grassland bird responses to mesquite management.
September 11
Flame to Sprout: Understanding Fire and Emory Oak Dynamics in Madrean Oak Woodlands
Presented by Alexia Markoutsis
Emory oak (Quercus emoryi) is a culturally important and ecologically significant tree of the Madrean oak woodlands of Mexico and the southwestern United States. Alexia will discuss her research using prescribed burns to better understand how management history, fire, and a fungal pathogen interact to affect the health of Emory oak.
September 18
The Biology and Conservation of the Chiricahua Leopard Frog in the Madrean Sky Islands of Southeast Arizona
Presented by Max Roberts
The threatened Chiricahua leopard frog (Lithobates chiricahuensis) faces challenges from habitat loss, invasive species, and disease. Max will discuss the species’ biology, ongoing collaborative conservation efforts, and his research gathering information to help advance recovery efforts in southeastern Arizona.
September 25
Grassland Birds and Mesquite Encroachment: Literature Review and Avian Response to Mesquite Removal in the Santa Rita Experimental Range
Presented by Cameron Tescher
Grassland birds are among the fastest-declining bird groups in North America, with woody plant encroachment contributing to habitat changes across grassland ecosystems. Cameron will discuss what is known about the effects of woody species removal and share findings from breeding and wintering bird surveys conducted before and after mesquite (Neltuma spp.) removal at the Santa Rita Experimental Range.
When: Fridays, September 11, 18 & 25, 2026
Time: 12:00–1:00 PM MST
Where: Virtual – join from anywhere
For questions about the webinar series, contact Steve Prager at steven.prager@audubon.org.
Visit the event page to learn more and register for the webinar series here