National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC)

Field Station Leader: Dr. George M. Linz,
(george.m.linz@aphis.usda.gov)
Research Wildlife Biologist

USDA/APHIS/WS
National Wildlife Research Center
2110 Miriam Circle, Suite B
Bismarck, ND 58501
Phone: 701-250-4469
FAX: 701-250-4408

The National Wildlife Research Center Bismarck, ND, field station is primarily responsible for developing new methods and refining current techniques of reducing blackbird damage to sunflower. Current research efforts include developing environmentally safe techniques for managing dense wetland vegetation used by crop-depredating blackbirds as night roosts and studying the efficacy and environmental effects of using avicides to reduce populations of blackbirds.

The National Blackbird Research Management Plan is directed by the field station Project Leader who coordinates all research under the auspices of this approved plan. Research currently underway includes testing of bird repellents to protect various agricultural crops and development of population models that can be used to predict effects of various population control techniques on blackbird numbers.

The field station was originally established in 1989 on the campus of North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND, and relocated to 2301 University in Bismarck, ND, in May 1996. Current permanent staff includes 2 wildlife biologists and a program assistant. The field station relies heavily on temporary seasonal employees and graduate students hired through a long-standing cooperative agreement between the National Wildlife Research Center and North Dakota State University to conduct experimental research. Seven graduate students have completed M.S. and Ph.D. degrees since the inception of the field station. Students are currently working for various wildlife resource agencies.

Blackbird Damage to Ripening Sunflower Crops and to Feedlots Research Project*

*the official "Research Project" that describes the primary focus of research performed at this NWRC field station. The Project Web pages, in turn, describe goals, objectives and accomplishments of the research.