Meet the 2025 FIRST Team
This summer marks our second season working with the Fishers Island Research and Survey Team FIRST from Tarleton State University. We are excited to welcome returning and new students who will support the Conservancy’s ecological monitoring efforts across the island. Under the guidance of Dr Adam Mitchell the team will assist with vegetation surveys bird and insect monitoring and invasive species management. Others will contribute through data analysis and specimen digitization.
Each student brings a unique perspective and strong interest in conservation and we are looking forward to another season of collaboration and learning!
Tyler McMahon 
Tyler is a first year PhD student in the Department of Wildlife and Natural Resources. His previous research focused on how bison reintroduction in Illinois tallgrass prairies affected moth diversity. On Fishers Island, Tyler will lead field surveys and invasive species management while expanding the nocturnal insect sampling program. He is especially enthusiastic about moths and butterflies and looks forward to sharing their ecological importance.
Jose Alvarez
Jose is a junior majoring in Wildlife Ecology and Management. He is interested in habitat management and conservation outreach. While on Fishers Island, Jose hopes to build skills in field research and is especially curious about local carnivores such as the American marten.
Walker Barak
Walker is a junior studying Wildlife Ecology and Management. He hopes to become a wildlife biologist focused on carnivores and has long term goals of working in wolf conservation or rangeland management in Texas. On Fishers Island, he is looking forward to learning more about species interactions and how ecosystems are managed for wildlife.
Emma Clarke
Emma is a senior majoring in Zoo and Confined Wildlife Biology and Management. She plans to work in wildlife conservation planning with a focus on endangered species. Her favorite regional bird is the peregrine falcon and she is inspired by its recovery. Emma hopes her time on Fishers Island will strengthen her outreach and management skills.
Francisco Salgado
Francisco is a sophomore in Zoo and Confined Wildlife Biology and Management and is returning for a second summer with FIRST. He is focused on both resident and migratory bird species and is excited to continue building field experience as he pursues a career in wildlife biology.
Naomi Zahn
Naomi is a junior studying Wildlife Ecology and Management and is also returning for a second season. She is passionate about insect plant interactions and especially interested in beetles. Last year she collected the American carrion beetle on Fishers Island which remains a favorite. Naomi hopes to use her time here to promote awareness of insects in conservation and prepare for graduate studies.
Catalina Berry
Catalina is a graduate student focused on the ecology and conservation of grassland birds. A former FIRST team lead Catalina now supports the project from Tarleton. She will assist in data analysis and species distribution modeling using information collected on Fishers Island.
Jake Davis
Jake is a senior majoring in entomology with a focus on invasive species management. This summer he will be digitizing insect specimens from past field seasons and helping assess biodiversity from Tarleton. One of his favorite finds on the island is the striped sweat bee.
Carter Perez
Carter is a sophomore in Agricultural Education and previously helped build baseline data on vegetation insects and birds. This year he will support the team by managing and analyzing data from past surveys from Tarleton.
Stay tuned to learn more about what the team will be working on throughout the summer. If you see them around the island don’t forget to say hi and welcome them. We will continue to keep the community updated on everything we do together.