Bryce’s passion for animals and the natural world began in early life during summers spent on his great-grandparents’ ranch. After spending time on the family farm and working at veterinary clinics, Bryce found his way to Texas Tech University where he had countless opportunities to learn more about natural resources management and truly develop career skills through volunteering with vegetation surveys, wildlife projects, and the museum collections. Now that he is a graduate student at Sul Ross State University, Bryce is eager to continue pursuing his passion.

The Chihuahuan Desert is home to many wetlands that provide crucial habitat for migratory birds in North America’s central flyway. Climate change and anthropogenic water use are affecting migratory birds’ wintering and stopover habitats. Therefore, it is imperative to find effective habitat conservation methods to better support populations of these species. Bryce will be quantifying water availability in the Chihuahuan Desert to assess spatiotemporal changes in habitat conditions for migratory birds. The result of his study will provide clear information on the status, trend, and factors affecting wetland habitats across the Chihuahuan Desert to support the prioritization of areas for management and conservation.