David Kern - Weeks 1 & 2 at DNREC in Delaware!

I finished my first two weeks at the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC)! I started the summer off strong with a lot of field work across the state of Delaware. Every two weeks, we rotate parks and drag for ticks for one kilometer, and then take the ticks back to the office for identification and data collection. We do this to monitor tick populations, their behavior, and their ecology across different areas as the year goes by. On top of tick dragging, we also work with many different wildlife biologists to collect ticks from different animals such as birds, foxes, and squirrels. 

When I'm not in the field or lab, I am constantly learning from other experts and how we all work together. A great example of this was the Delaware One Health Conference, where I had the opportunity to listen to presentations on new research, technology, and public health topics. This conference really highlighted how interconnected we are and the importance of effective communication and teamwork, even though we may not see our team members frequently.

On top of all the tick research, once a week I get to work with the Mosquito Control Section to help with larvae surveillance and calls for mosquito control. 

This opportunity has not only allowed me to dive into the world of medical entomology but also to explore different branches of wildlife studies, such as ornithology, mammalogy, and environmental education. I am so excited for the rest of the summer and what I will learn!


Tick Identification!

Warbler Caught by a Professional Ornithologist for Banding!

Helping out with Mosquito Surveillance!




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