Erin (Pikcilingis) Arnold (MS, Raptor Biology, ’16) recently updated the Raptor Research Center on her work, and it is evident that she has a deep commitment to raptors, specifically to the recovery of the federally endangered California Condor.
After receiving her MS degree, Arnold worked a few seasonal jobs before landing a wildlife biologist position with the California Condor Recovery Program at the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex, the “home of the California Condor recovery program.” Arnold worked in this position for three and a half years tracking, trapping (for health checks and GPS/VHF deployments), and monitoring California condors of the southern California flock.
For the past two years, Arnold has broadened her scope and now works as a wildlife biologist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service helping protect and recover many endangered species of southern California – including the California condor – through the implementation of the Endangered Species Act.
Arnold enjoys working for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Ventura Field Office where she works recently produced videos about Women in Science including this YouTube video featuring Arnold. The video includes many images of raptors and Arnold engaged in fieldwork, as well as her advice to young women pursuing degrees in biology.