Autumn Iverson, Ph.D.

Senior Avian Ecologist

As a Senior Avian Ecologist with the Pacific Coast and Central Valley Group, I lead research and collaborative efforts for the ecology and conservation of birds throughout California. I work on diverse projects to inform conservation efforts, including understanding migratory shorebird habitat and food availability in agricultural landscapes, investigating songbird response to fire management and riparian restoration, and developing broad-scale science needs with multiple external partners.

I received a M.S. (2006) from the University of California San Diego, where I studied habitat fragmentation and edge effects on native species, and a Ph.D. in ecology from the University of California Davis (2022) where I focused on songbird migration ecology and became a National Geographic Explorer. I’ve enjoyed working on a variety of wildlife research projects; some highlights include nest-searching in the expanses of sage in Grand Teton National Park, baiting camera traps for spotted-tail quolls in Tasmania, and dip-netting for terrapins in Everglades’ mangroves at night. I also spent nine years researching the migration and movements of sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean while at the US Geological Survey.

In my free time I enjoy writing, reading, traveling, and getting outdoors to play, especially in places with lots of granite. I am based in Sonoma County, California.