Imagine. It’s a 0 degree F day in Northern Washington state. You are tasked with following lynx tracks through deep snow on foot for several miles, collecting habitat data along the way. The place where you’ll do this is 50 miles away from town, only accessible by snowmobile. Do you know what clothes and footwear you’ll need? Do you know how to read the map? Do you know how to tell a pine from a spruce tree? Have you ever snowmobiled before? Can you identify lynx tracks?
The Crucial Role of Field Skills in Conservation
Anna Machowicz • May 31, 2025
The Crucial Role of Field Skills in Conservation
The outcome of your day will have a significant impact on the research you’re performing, and having the proper field skills directly contributes to the success of conservation efforts that rely on that research. Poorly executed fieldwork can lead to unreliable data, mismanagement of resources, and even harm to wildlife and personnel. In contrast, when biologists are confident and competent in the field, they contribute to meaningful, science-based conservation strategies that protect species and habitats effectively.
Why is it so Difficult to Obtain Field Skills?
Imagine. You are a woman from Chicago on your first-ever wildlife field job. You need to drive 4x4 trucks on rough roads, but you’ve never done this before. Everyone else on your crew are men who learned this skill in their childhood. Do you feel safe and comfortable asking for help? Is this the best learning environment for you? Can you perform your job safely and efficiently?
Gaining field skills can be a significant hurdle for aspiring wildlife biologists due to a combination of systemic and logistical barriers. Many universities and continuing education opportunities focus on theoretical instruction, with limited opportunities for hands-on training in real-world settings. Meanwhile, entry-level conservation jobs and internships require fundamental skills such as driving trucks and trailers, using snowmobiles and other machinery, navigating difficult terrain, troubleshooting mechanical problems on-site, and being physically prepared for a wide variety of circumstances; all of this in addition to being literate in the specific ecology of a landscape or species. For some, these skills are cultivated from a young age and do not present a challenge. For others, the lack of accessibility to proper training, supportive networks, and valuable outdoor experiences presents substantial obstacles to entering the field of wildlife biology from the start. This means wildlife research and the scientific community as a whole is missing out on some of the best and brightest would-be biologists.
The Problem with Volunteering for Expertise
Imagine. You’re a college senior majoring in wildlife biology and searching for your first field job. You’ve been working at a coffee shop to make ends meet while taking classes, so you don’t have any field experience and are struggling to land an interview. Your roommate, in the same program, gets a job offer right away. They don’t need an income and instead volunteered their time on wildlife projects every summer throughout college. You become the manager of the coffee shop after graduation but never pursue your goal of working in wildlife conservation.
Chronic underfunding for wildlife research, conservation, and management creates a demand for low-cost labor. One common but problematic approach for employers to balance a limited budget with the need for a workforce is to offer volunteer positions in exchange for experience. While this might seem like a logical way for young or aspiring biologists to break into the field, it ultimately reinforces inequity and undervalues the true cost of conservation work. Expecting early-career biologists to work for free creates a financial barrier that excludes those who cannot afford unpaid labor. Furthermore, relying on unpaid labor devalues the profession as a whole, making it harder to advocate for fair wages and sustainable career paths in conservation. Accessible, structured field training programs ensure that skill-building opportunities are available to all aspiring biologists, regardless of financial circumstances.
Field Skills as a Trade School for Biologists
Field skills training should not be seen as an optional experience but rather as an essential component of every biologist’s education, akin to a trade school for wildlife professionals. Just as electricians, mechanics, and other tradespeople continuously refine their craft through hands-on training, biologists benefit from ongoing field education to stay proficient and adaptable. Whether you are an undergraduate student, a recent graduate, or a seasoned biologist, investing in field skills is a lifelong endeavor that enhances career opportunities and ensures high-quality, reliable research. Continued education in field techniques keeps professionals current with new technology, methodologies, and best practices in conservation science.
Join Us Making the Difference
Attend: Participants in our programs gain practical experience, expand their professional networks, and develop both existing and new competencies, enriching their careers and the broader scientific community.
Volunteer: we invite experienced professionals to volunteer their expertise, share ideas for lessons, or assist in other capacities. Additionally, if you have facilities and equipment suitable for training courses, consider partnering with us to host future programs.
Donate or sponsor: by investing in field skills training, we lay the groundwork for a more inclusive and effective approach to wildlife research and conservation. Together, we can ensure that the next generation of biologists is well-prepared to tackle the pressing environmental challenges of our time.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anna Machowicz is a wildlife biologist and co-founder of Home Range Wildlife Research, based in Winthrop, WA. She leads immersive field courses that equip emerging scientists with hands-on training in widlife research techniques. Passionate about inclusive conservation, Anna blends research, education, and community engagement to help foster the next generation of skilled field biologists.
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