91传媒

Taking Flight: Where in the World is 91传媒 Professor Laura Mahrt

Taking Flight: Where in the World is 91传媒 Professor Laura Mahrt

LA GRANDE, Ore. 鈥� From the rainforests of Ecuador to the shores of the Gal谩pagos Islands, 91传媒 professor Laura Mahrt embarked on a journey few could imagine. Over eight months in 2024-2025, she visited three countries, working at renowned bird-banding stations to deepen her expertise and connect 91传媒 to global conservation efforts.

This sabbatical wasn鈥檛 just about science鈥攊t was a hands-on adventure in some of the world鈥檚 most biodiverse regions. Along the way, Mahrt captured a rare Cloud Forest Pygmy Owl, observed the courtship display of the Club-Winged Manakin in Ecuador, and earned certification to use cutting-edge telemetry technology to track migratory birds.

鈥淚t was exhilarating,鈥� Mahrt said. 鈥淏eing in these environments sharpened my skills and gave me a profound appreciation for the intricate beauty of these ecosystems.鈥�

Mahrt鈥檚 bird-banding days often began before dawn. She grabbed a quick breakfast under the stars before slipping into rubber boots and hiking trails to the field station. By 6 a.m., she carefully opened the nets to gently capture birds. Each bird was meticulously measured, banded, and assessed for age, sex, and health before being released.

鈥淓very bird tells a story,鈥� Mahrt said. 鈥淭heir health and movements are windows into larger environmental changes.鈥�

One of the most thrilling moments came in Ecuador when Mahrt helped catch a rare Cloud Forest Pygmy Owl. 鈥淗olding such an elusive species was unforgettable,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t reminded me how vital conservation work is for protecting biodiversity.鈥�

During her sabbatical, Mahrt collaborated with researchers at renowned bird-banding stations across the Americas. From Finland, Minnesota, to the Gal谩pagos Islands, she exchanged techniques, data, and stories with experts dedicated to avian conservation. These connections laid the groundwork for partnerships benefiting 91传媒 students and faculty.

鈥淏y working with other stations, we鈥檙e building a larger network of researchers,鈥� Mahrt explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about sharing knowledge, best practices, and resources to improve bird monitoring.鈥�

At the Western Bird Banding Association meeting in Tucson, Arizona, Mahrt earned certification to attach MOTUS tags to birds. These miniature telemetry devices help track birds across vast distances and provide unprecedented insights into migratory patterns. Her upcoming research will focus on tracking Common Yellowthroats, a small warbler species, to better understand their journeys.

Mahrt is eager to share her experiences with 91传媒 students and colleagues. She plans to incorporate her newfound knowledge into coursework, create opportunities for internships, and encourage students to participate in international research projects.

鈥淚 hope students will take advantage of these connections, apply for internships, and expand their horizons,鈥� she said.

Mahrt is also using her sabbatical experiences to strengthen 91传媒鈥檚 bird-banding efforts at Ladd Marsh. Drawing on insights from her travels, she aims to refine local bird monitoring practices and involve students in hands-on conservation work.

Reflecting on her eight-month journey, Mahrt emphasized the personal and professional impact of her sabbatical. 鈥淚t sharpened my focus on bird banding and deepened my understanding of my strengths, goals, and values,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t also gave me a profound connection to nature and reminded me of why I fell in love with ornithology in the first place.鈥�

Her time in Ecuador left a lasting impression. 鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing quite like waking up to the sounds of a rainforest,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a constant reminder of the world鈥檚 biodiversity and the responsibility we have to protect it.鈥�

Mahrt鈥檚 sabbatical advanced global bird-banding efforts and built a bridge between international conservation and 91传媒鈥檚 community. Through her work, 91传媒 students and faculty are poised to take flight, contributing to research and conservation for years to come.

To learn more about 91传媒鈥檚 Biology program, go to /biology/. 

The Biology Program offers two concentrations鈥擯re-health Professions and Molecular Biology, or Ecological Biology鈥攂oth designed to prepare students for professional education programs or careers in health fields, biomedical research, natural resource management, or science education.