Our Staff

Julie Craves, Supervisor of Avian Research

Since its inception in 1992, Julie Craves of Dearborn, a UM-D alumnus, has been the supervisor of the Rouge River Bird Observatory. Julie is interested in the resilience of urban ecosystems, how species adapt to these simplified systems with their unique stressors, and the interactions of native and invasive species.

Julie has also done substantial work on the distribution of Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) and the use of these insects as bioindicators, especially in urban systems; she and her husband write about this work at Urban Dragon Hunters blog. Julie is also keenly interested in migratory bird use of shade coffee farms worldwide, but especially in Central America where she has also done bird monitoring. More information on the connection between coffee and biodiversity can be found at her website, Coffee & Conservation. For over 15 years, Julie has been a Contributing Editor to BirdWatching Magazine.

Staff of the Environmental Interpretive Center

RRBO is housed in the University of Michigan-Dearborn’s Environmental Interpretive Center (EIC). Read about the staff members at the EIC web site.

Our Volunteers and Research Associates

Dana Wloch, Undergraduate Research Associate

Dana Wloch of Southgate is a senior at UM-D majoring in Environmental Studies with a minor in Biology. She started at RRBO in 2009 as a bander. In fall 2009, Dana began her independent research project examining the fall diets of American Robins and Gray Catbirds, which she is continuing in fall 2011.

Darrin O’Brien, Volunteer (bird banding, surveys, special projects)

Darrin O’Brien, husband of Julie Craves, is a licensed bird bander and has volunteered with the RRBO since 1996.  He has served in various capacities for the Detroit River Hawk Watch (formerly Southeast Michigan Raptor Research), and has run at least one Breeding Bird Survey route for over a decade. He is founder and compiler of the Clinton Christmas Bird Count, compiler of the North American Migration Count for Wayne County, and a past member of the Kentucky Bird Records Committee.

Sally Petrella, Volunteer (bird banding)

Sally Petrella of Detroit has been an RRBO bander since 1996. Sally received her degree in biology the University of Michigan, and has been the Volunteer Monitoring Program Manager at Friends of the Rouge since 2000. She’s active in community groups including Friends of Rouge Park and Friends of Eliza Howell Park.

Mike O’Leary, Volunteer (bird surveys)

Mike O’Leary is a lifelong Dearborn resident and retired City of Dearborn police officer. He has done bird surveys for RRBO since 1997. His prowess with a chain saw and weed whip in the net lanes have also been greatly appreciated!

Sara Cole, Volunteer (bird banding)

Sara is a senior at Wayne State University majoring in elementary science education. She has worked as a program leader at the Environmental Interpretive Center for several years, and has also interned at Michigan State’s Kellogg Biological Station. Sara lives in Detroit, and her first banding season was fall 2010.

Carmen Volante, Volunteer (bird banding)

Carmen is a senior at UM-Dearborn majoring in biology and lives in Allen Park. Fall 2010 was Carmen’s rookie season, and she’s also worked for three years in the bird section of the Toledo Zoo. Carmen was also a program leader at the Environmental Interpretive Center for three years.

 

Natalie Ray, Volunteer (bird banding)

Natalie has worked as an interpretive naturalist at Lake Erie Metropark since 2007 and has volunteered for many local conservation organizations over the years, including Ducks Unlimited and the Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy. She is a UM-Dearborn graduate and lives in Grosse Ile. Fall 2011 is Natalie’s rookie banding season.

More RRBO people on the next page!