Christin McDonough

Wildlife Biologist

Summary

Ms. McDonough has over 6 years of professional experience working as a wildlife biologist. At New England Environmental, Inc. (NEE) she is responsible for monitoring rare amphibians and reptiles of New England using multiple methodologies, along with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping. She conducts vernal pool surveys, wildlife habitat evaluations in compliance, and rare species assessments in compliance with state and federal permitting.

Areas of Expertise
  • Expert amphibian and reptile identification (including tadpole/eggmass/egg)
  • Multiple techniques for monitoring amphibians including: pitfall trap, egg mass count, dip-net, transect, plot sample, cover board array, radio telemetry, and surgical implantation of radio tracking device (surgical implantation with spotted salamander, eastern spadefoot toad, and fowler toad)
  • Habitat mapping using GIS
  • Wetland delineation
  • Photo interpretation and wetland classification, using stereoscope, Cowardin et al. 1979, and/or GIS

Education
  • M.S., Environmental Sciences (Amphibian Ecology) - University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, December, 2005.
  • B.S., Wildlife Biology – minors in Environmental Science and Spanish– University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 1998.

Credentials
  • Certified Wildlife Biologist (pending)

Experience

New England Environmental, Inc.

2006-present

Responsibilities include rare species sampling and habitat use; vernal pool identification; GIS mapping; providing scientific data and guidance to assist clients to meet standards for Conservation and Management Permits under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act; developing mitigation plans to minimize impacts to wildlife habitat; wetland classification and delineation; report writing.

University of Rhode Island

June 2005-Oct 2005

Wildlife Biologist, Field Investigator

Monitored amphibian populations throughout Rhode Island using pitfall trap arrays, egg mass counts, dip-net surveys, call surveys and transects; contract GIS mapping.

University of Rhode Island

2003-2005

Graduate Research Assistant

Assessed upland habitat use, resource selection, and migration behavior of 80 adult spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) using radio telemetry; surgical implantation of radio transmitters; field data collection, data entry, data analysis, and manuscript preparation; monitored amphibian populations in southeastern Connecticut using multiple techniques including: pitfall traps, egg mass counts, dip-net surveys, transects, plot samples, cover board arrays, radio telemetry, and surgical implantation of radio tracking devices; contract GIS technician and habitat mapping specialist. Other species sampled included wood frogs (Rana sylvatica), red spotted newts (Notophthalamus viridescens viridescens), four-toed salamanders (Hemidactilium scutatum), eastern spadefoot toads (Scaphiopus holbrookii), American toads (Bufo americanus), marbled salamanders (Ambystoma opacum), and red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus).

University of Rhode Island

March 2003-Sept 2003

Wildlife Biologist

Monitored 30 spotted salamanders using radio telemetry; surgical implantation of radio tracking devices; field data collection, data entry, and report preparation; plot sampling for various amphibian species in Rhode Island.

Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit

April 2001-Nov 2001

Field Biologist

Worked as part of a team of five biologists to gather life history data on Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) using radio telemetry; worked with other state listed species including Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) and Eastern box turtle (Terrepene carolina); conducted habitat evaluations.

University of Massachusetts

1996-1997

Laboratory Technician

Assisted research on amphibian respiration, concentration on eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis); amphibian surgeries, data entry, and video analysis; worked independently on weekends and holidays providing care for various species of amphibians, reptiles, and fish in the laboratory.

Professional Training/Education
  • Wetland Ecology and Field Techniques, URI, 2005
  • Wetland Assessment and Field Techniques, U-Mass Amherst, MA, 2000
  • Wetlands Wildlife Ecology and Management, U-Mass Amherst, 1997
  • Graduate Courses and continuing Education in Wildlife Biology 1997-present

Affiliations/ Memberships
  • Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (SSAR)
  • Partners for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC)
  • The Wildlife Society (TWS)
  • Rhode Island Natural History Survey (RINHS)
  • Association of Massachusetts Wetland Scientists
  • Society for Women Environmental Professionals (SWEP)

Publications

McDonough, C. and P. W. C. Paton. 2007. Spotted salamander dispersal across a forested landscape fragmented by a golf course. Journal of Wildlife Management 71(4) 1163-1169.

Paton, P. W. C., McDonough, C., and K. Montieth. 2007. Migration Ecology of Spotted Salamanders on a Golf Course in Southern New England. Herpetological Conservation. In Press.

Presentations
  • Migratory Behavior of Radio-tagged Adult Spotted Salamanders on a Golf Course, Christin McDonough-Haughey; scientific presentation given at joint meeting for Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, July 10, 2005.
  • Dispersal Ecology of Radio-tagged Adult Spotted Salamanders, Christin McDonough-Haughey; educational poster presented at the Rhode Island Natural History Survey Conference “Rhode Island Forests”, March, 2005.

Languages

Fluent Spanish (speaking, writing, reading)