From Rockets to Rattlesnakes, Students are Immersed in Real-World Field Opportunities
Over three exhilarating days, four Blackburn College students, accompanied by Biology and Ecology Professor Dr. Samantha Kahl, immersed themselves in hands-on wildlife activities at the Illinois Chapter of The Wildlife Society Annual Meeting held at Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton, Illinois. Dr. Kahl, who also serves as president of the Illinois Chapter of The Wildlife Society, not only accompanied the students but also led the conference, delivering the opening address and chairing key meetings.
Blackburn students participated in two standout workshops: an in the field Rocket-Netting experience and a Duck Wing ID workshop. Rocket-Netting, led by Therin Bradshaw of Forbes Biological Station, introduced students to a dynamic method for capturing wildlife in groups using explosives-powered nets. They explored net angles, spread techniques, and various rocket net types, gaining insights into a skill critical for wildlife biology. “This skill can aid me in my future career,” said senior Jessica Muckensturm, who was excited to assist in setting up the nets and learning safe deployment methods.
In the Duck Wing ID Workshop, students honed their ability to identify Illinois waterfowl species by wing patterns, distinguishing between males, females, adults, and juveniles. This skill is vital for statewide conservation efforts, offering students a practical tool for future fieldwork. “The conference was an amazing way to make connections and network with professionals in the fields that interest us,” Muckensturm noted, highlighting the event’s value for career exploration.
After the conference, an impromptu adventure took the group to Principia College, where they collaborated with Dr. Scott Eckert and Andrew Jesper on Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) research. Scaling a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, the students assisted in collecting data, handling venomous snakes under strict safety protocols, and releasing the animals back into the wild after implanting PIT tags and recording measurements. “I love seeing our students challenge themselves,” said Dr. Kahl, a certified venomous snake handler. “If we aren’t challenged, we aren’t growing as scientists and human beings.”
For Muckensturm, the rattlesnake research was a highlight: “It sparked my interest in research and made me consider doing something similar for a career.” The experience, coupled with networking opportunities at the conference, left the students inspired and equipped with new skills for their futures in biology. “I am so grateful I was able to attend this conference,” added Andrea Sexton, a sophomore biology major. “As someone who still has a way to go in their degree program, it was encouraging to see so many different career paths and avenues of research within the environmental field being represented. There are a lot of opportunities I had no awareness of and so I not only left the conference more educated but with a newfound excitement for a future based in biology.”
Follow Blackburn College on Instagram @blackburn_college and Facebook @blackburncollegeUSA for more information on the workshops and research. Follow Forbes Biological Station on Instagram at @forbesbiologicalstation and Facebook @ForbesBiologicalStation for more information on their groundbreaking work. You can find The Wildlife Society on Instagram at @thewildlifesociety and on Facebook at @thewildlifesociety.