MS Assistantship, Human Dimensions of Grizzly Bears

The Montana Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit (MTCWRU, https://www.umt.edu/coop-unit/) and the Human Dimensions Lab (HDL, https://www.umt.edu/human-dimensions-lab/) at the University of Montana seek applications for a Teaching Assistant to join our investigations of the human dimensions of grizzly bear recovery. Grizzly bears were formerly numerous and widespread in North America but have been extirpated across 98% of their former range in the conterminous US. Today, four populations occur in the US Northern Rocky Mountains, and an additional recovery zone exists nearby in the Bitterroot Ecosystem of west-central Montana and east-central Idaho. The MTCWRU recently published studies of habitat use and connectivity pathways for grizzly bears, and the HDL recently published results of an intensive survey effort about attitudes of Montanans towards grizzlies. Efforts are ongoing by various agencies, non-profits, and private citizens to help enhance the odds that grizzlies can naturally recolonize their former range in the Bitterroot Mountains. However, much remains unknown about how to successfully influence human actions to achieve better conservation outcomes for grizzly bears and people. The master’s student for this project will thus conduct research on the human dimensions of grizzly bear recovery in the US Northern Rockies, with a focus on communities near the Bitterroot Ecosystem. Full description here:  https://www.umt.edu/coop-unit/sellslab/opportunities/human-dimensions-grizzlies.php