Amanda Spears

Background

About Amanda Spears

As a Farallon Island program biologist for Point Blue, my work involves supervising the long-term seabird ecological research performed on Southeast Farallon Island during the spring and summer months. Our continued monitoring of seabird breeding phenology, demographics, and productivity informs smart management of local marine ecosystems in the face of climate change, and provides a valuable experience to early career professionals interested in the ecological and conservation field. I grew up on the eastern shore of Maryland and spent the earliest years of my life exploring the beautiful estuary that is the Chesapeake Bay. This is where I discovered my passion for ecology, conservation, and birds. Longing for the mountains, I pursued my B.S. at the University of Vermont where I studied Wildlife and Fisheries Biology. Since graduating I have participated in and led various avian research projects across the country, including: studying population demographics of Black-throated Blue Warblers in White Mountains of New Hampshire, monitoring spring songbird migration in the bayous of Louisiana, and monitoring avian productivity and survivorship in the Sierra Nevada montane meadows of Yosemite National Park. Away from California, I reside on the island of Kauai, where I spend my days free diving, sailing, and hiking in some of the most beautiful marine and mountain environments this world has to offer.