Rosalind Renfrew obtained an MS and PhD in Wildlife Ecology at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, finishing in 2002. In her graduate research, she was able to combine her passion for birds and interest in agricultural issues by evaluating the influence of patch and landscape characteristics on nesting grassland birds and nest predators in pastures, and working with a multidisciplinary group to determine research priorities in agricultural landscapes. Prior to graduate school she obtained a B.S. in Wildlife Biology the University of Vermont in 1989, followed by six years of carrying out bird research and monitoring from Minnesota to Mexico. The projects ranged from the wintering ecology of Hooded Warblers to the breeding ecology of the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow.

Rosalind was thrilled to return to Vermont in 2002 to direct the Breeding Bird Atlas and initiate research on the wintering ecology of Bobolinks. Long-distance migrants provide opportunities to connect cultures, economies, and perceptions; a critical component to tackling environmental challenges that threaten birds and humans alike.

Rosalind enjoys outdoor activities whenever she gets the chance, although her adventurous side has been curtailed lately while she raises her 4-year-old, Jackson. She is currently working on the atlas publication and website, and continues her Bobolink research on this side of the hemisphere.

Current Projects

Vermont Breeding Bird Atlas
Bobolink Wintering Ecology

Publications

Renfrew, R. B., S. J. K. Frey, and J. Klavins. 2011. Phenology and sequence of the complete prealternate molt of Bobolinks in South America. Journal of Field Ornithology 82:101-113.

K. C. Parsons, P. Mineau, and R. B. Renfrew. 2010. Effects of pesticide use in rice fields on birds. Waterbirds 33(sp1):193-218.

Ribic, C. A., R. R. Koford, J. R. Herkert, D. H. Johnson, N. D. Niemuth, D. E. Naugle, K. K. Bakker, D. W. Sample, and R. B. Renfrew. 2009. Area sensitivity in North American grassland birds: patterns and processes. Auk 126:233-244.

Renfrew, R. B., D. H. Johnson, G. Lingle, and D. Robinson. 2008. Avian response to meadow restoration in the central Great Plains. Proc. North American Prairie Conference 20:313-324.

Renfrew, R. and C.A. Ribic. 2008. Multi-scale models of grassland passerine density in a fragmented system in Wisconsin. Landscape Ecology 23:181-193. Table 3 (omitted in published article)

Renfrew, R., and A. M. Saavedra 2007. Ecology and conservation of Bobolinks in rice production regions of Bolivia. Ornitologia Neotropical 18:61-73.

Renfrew, R. 2007. An interspecific foraging association between Nearctic-Neotropical Migrant Passerines in Bolivia. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 119:124-126.

Renfrew, R., C.A. Ribic, and J.L. Nack. 2005. Edge avoidance by nesting grassland birds: a futile strategy in a fragmented landscape. Auk 122:618-636.

Renfrew, R. and C.A. Ribic. 2003. Grassland passerine nest predators near edges based on video footage. Auk 120:371-383.

Renfrew, R. and C.A. Ribic. 2002. Influence of topography on density of grassland passerines in Wisconsin pastures. American Midland Naturalist 147:315-325.

Ribic, C.A., D.W. Sample, and R. Renfrew. 2002. Linking landscape management with the conservation of grassland birds in Wisconsin. In: Bissonette, J.A. And I. Storch, eds. Landscape ecology and resource management: linking theory with practice. Island Press, Washington, D.C.

Renfrew, R. and C.A. Ribic. 2001. Grassland birds associated with agricultural riparian areas in southwestern Wisconsin. Journal of Range Management 54:546-552.

Renfrew, R. 2002. Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis). In: Cutright, N., B. Harriman, and R. Howe, eds., Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison.

Renfrew, R. 2002. Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna). In: Cutright, N., B. Harriman, and R. Howe, eds., Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison.

Renfrew, R. and D.W. Sample. 2002. Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus). In: Cutright, N., B. Harriman, and R. Howe, eds., Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison.

Sample, D.W. and R. Renfrew. 2002. Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum). In: Cutright, N., B. Harriman, and R. Howe, eds., Wisconsin Breeding Bird Atlas. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison.

Recent reports

Rimmer, C.C., K.P. McFarland, J.D. Lambert, R.B.Renfrew. 2004. Evaluating the use of Vermont ski areas by Bicknell's Thrush: applications for Whiteface Mountain, New York. Vermont Institute of Natural Science. Woodstock, VT.

e-mail: rrenfrew AT vtecostudies.org