Research and Conservation

The Research and Conservation Department of Liberty Wildlife is dedicated to solving human/wildlife conflicts, conducting scientific research as well as providing specialized services involving native wildlife. The department has dedicated staff members along with contracted biologists with varying specialized area of expertise in order to respond to any challenge pertaining to native wildlife. An inter-departmental internship program is available each semester for aspiring students for educational credit. A volunteer program is also available with volunteers being utilized on a case by case basis, based on project availability and need as well as the skill level of the volunteer.

• All Human/Wildlife Conflicts
• Utility Issues
• Raptor Nest Removals/Relocations
• Wildlife Monitoring/Surveying/Habitat Assessments
• Field Investigations regarding electrocution/orphaned animals/concerned citizens
• Habitat Restoration
• Wildlife Habitat Enhancement
• Wildlife/Conservation Education
• Artificial Burrow Systems (ABS) for Western Burrowing Owls
• Artificial/Supplemental Habitat for Desert Tortoises
• Wildlife Mortality Investigation: necropsy/gross medical exams
• Development Wildlife Protection Programs for companies and other organizations

Past/Present/Future Projects:
*Currently assist APS and SRP with their internal Avian Protection Plans; servicing both companies throughout the state with all human/wildlife conflicts, specifically avian electrocution and species identification through quality education.

*Assisted AZGFD and the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society in the fall of 2007 with their 100th Desert Bighorn Sheep Translocation Project, assisting with the processing following capture and providing wildlife medical care.

*Received an AZGFD Wildlife Conservation Fund (WCF) grant in 2007 to provide trail guide features and public education detailing the B&M Nature Site, an AZGFD managed public site in the city of Avondale.

*Provided guided nature hikes and interpretations detailing native wildlife and vegetation for the 2007 Tres Rios Nature Festival. Will be providing this service for the 2008 festival as well.

*Provided public education courses scheduled through the Avondale Parks and Recreation Department for the fall of 2007.

*Will be working with San Tan Regional Park as well as Estrella Mountain Park and Maricopa County Parks 2008 regarding a joint grant request for park funding allocated for providing a public display of native wildlife for education purposes. If grant funding is awarded enclosures housing native birds of prey will be built onsite and care provided by park employees and volunteers under the direction and training of LWRF.

*Staff, interns and volunteers will be assisting AZGFD with a black-footed ferret project in March of 2008. LWRF will assist in the capturing and processing, including medical care, of native endangered ferrets.

*Staff and certified volunteers will be assisting Transwestern Pipeline (and affiliated companies) with any wildlife issues during the upcoming Phoenix Expansion Project (installation of a natural gas pipeline), scheduled to start in early 2008.

*R&C Department has been involved with the local college conservation group, CACSCB, for the past 6 years, supporting the group by participating in wildlife and conservation education presentations at ASU and affiliated sites.

*Currently working with Southwest Behavioral in providing education and special request presentations to the staff, volunteers and clients.

*Assisted Davis Montham Air Force Base with the removal of a Swainson’s hawk nest located adjacent to the base runway in 2005.

*Services available to AZGFD and USFWS for any wildlife issues. During fire season LWRF is able to be dispatched for the retrieval and care of all orphaned and/or injured wildlife during crisis situations.

*Consulted with many developers and construction companies regarding burrowing owls since 2005.

*Installed a successful ABS (Artificial Burrow System) for SRP at their West Valley Service Center in 2005.

*Assisted with the installation of an ABS for APS outside the Redhawk Power Plant in 2003. LWRF solely monitored the success of this colony for 4 years.