People

Brian Tavernia

Brian Tavernia was the Saline Lakes Ecologist (2019-2021) and a member of the National Audubon Society’s Western Water Initiative team. Brian guides the science efforts to drive conservation outcomes for the network of saline lakes across the West and the birds that depend on them.

Prior to joining Audubon in Jan 2019, Brian spent 8 years working for federal agencies and The Nature Conservancy. During this time, he assessed the impacts of climate and land-use change scenarios on habitat and water resources as part of the U.S. Forest Service’s Northern Forest Futures Project. He also acted as a Science Coordinator for the Integrated Waterbird Management and Monitoring program, a regional-scale adaptive habitat management program for waterfowl, waders, and shorebirds. Most recently, he was a Spatial Ecologist for The Nature Conservancy and guided conservation and management of Colorado’s forest, wetlands, rivers, and cities.

Brian holds a Ph.D. in Biology from Tufts University where he researched the effects of urbanization on wetland bird communities.

Articles by Brian Tavernia

Science Partners Demonstrate Importance of Adequate Water Levels for Birds at Great Salt Lake
December 22, 2021 — Analysis highlights the need to maintain and increase surface flows for birds.
Western Water News
White-faced Ibis. Craig Goettsch/Audubon Photography Awards
New Insights on Phenomenal Bird Numbers at Great Salt Lake
May 27, 2021 — Analysis reveals continued importance of the lake and need to understand factors affecting bird populations
Western Water News
Many Partners Aim to Protect Nevada Wetlands for Shorebirds
May 18, 2021 — Analysis at Lahontan Valley Wetlands identifies bird species for habitat management.
Western Water News
Marbled Godwits. Peter Brannon/Audubon Photography Awards
New Grant Enables Partners to Advance Shorebird Planning at Nevada Wetlands
May 06, 2021 — National Fish and Wildlife Foundation supports collaborative efforts to enhance habitat and monitor shorebirds
Western Water News
Grazing Provides Western Sandpipers with Important Source of Energy for Migration
September 22, 2020 — A relatively unassuming shorebird challenges birders’ notions of “normal” sandpiper behavior.
Western Water News
Observing Heron Nesting a Welcome Distraction
April 23, 2020 — Keeping an eye on a nest during this pandemic.
Western Water News
Dependence on Threatened Saline Lakes Leaves Eared Grebes at Risk
October 07, 2019 — Nearly all Eared Grebes spend part of their flightless lives at Great Salt Lake or Mono Lake.
Western Water News
Potential New Ways to Determine the Movement of Phalaropes
July 12, 2019 — Budding technology creates networks that would inform the conservation and management of Phalaropes.
Western Water News
Climate Change and Water Use Will Determine the Future of Great Basin Waterbirds
April 11, 2019 — Science and planning can help ensure their continued existence.
Western Water News