Friends of the Island Fox Welcomes Mike Watling as President

Meet Mike Watling. On July 1, 2021 he became FIF's new President. 

Dear Fox Friends,

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the incoming president of Friends of the Island Fox.

I have been a member of the FIF advisory committee for the past five years and a member of the Board for the past year, helping to shape the future of FIF following the delisting of the island fox. My background is in the biomedical field where for the past 23 years I have been working on diagnostic test kits for human cancer. I am also trained as a California naturalist through the University of California, certified as a wildlife tracker through CyberTracker North America, and a volunteer naturalist with Channel Islands National Park and Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. (He's also a great wildlife photographer.)

I am very passionate about the wildlife of California and especially the wildlife that inhabits the Channel Islands. I am very fortunate to be able to serve an organization such as Friends of the Island Fox. 

I'm also married with two daughters: one a wildlife biologist in northern California and the other a pre-veterinary student at California State University Channel Islands.

The global pandemic and worsening drought in California, and throughout the west, have strengthened FIF's commitment to provide grant funding for researchers seeking more knowledge about fox diet, microbiome, range size, interactions with the island spotted skunk, as well as our continued support for radio collars and vaccines. 

Your generous contributions have made these things possible. The mission of FIF is to work together to protect the island fox and their island home and that focus will remain as strong going forward as it has in the past. Its Science, for Fox Sake!

Best,

Mike Watling

President, Friends of the Island Fox

Mike@islandfox.org

 

Meet the entire FIF Board of Directors 2021

See Mike's posts on Identifying the Foxes of North America

Apply for the FIF 2021 Research Grant (now through Aug. 31)

Friends of the Island Fox Welcomes New Board Member: Lara Brenner

Friends of the Island Fox is thrilled to welcome Lara Brenner to its Board of Directors.

Lara is a wildlife biologist and scientific writer who has been working with island foxes on Santa Catalina and Santa Cruz Island since 2017. She has a degree in Environmental Studies from Carleton College and a Master of Science in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana.

FIF worked with Lara on the testing of ticks on Catalina Island and efforts to slow down traffic to save island foxes from being hit by vehicles.

She brings the unique experience of working with island foxes in the field.

Lara says: Compared to most mesocarnivores, island foxes are a joy to work with. Their relative docility takes a lot of the uncertainty out of catching and handling them, while their curiosity and fearlessness inspire some truly cheeky behaviors (like trying to steal a bag of bait right out of your hand!).

First-time observers are often amazed to see an island fox sitting calmly on a biologist's lap with few restraints, and I've often heard the comment that they must know we're trying to help them. 

I think it's more an artifact of evolution - after around 10,000 years as the apex land predator, they have no concept that they could be in any danger from a larger mammal! Of course, island foxes are still wild animals and it doesn't pay to let your guard down. I wouldn't want to reach into a cage without my trusty leather gloves - a bite from an island fox is no joke!

FIF Welcomes Lara Brenner.

[What's a mesocarnivore? A medium-sized carnivore. (Think raccoon, bobcat, gray fox or feral cat.) Most medium-sized predators have to be feisty in order to catch their prey and also defend themselves from larger predators.]

About Friends of the Island Fox

Friends of the Island Fox is a program of the Channel Islands Park Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) charitable and educational corporation as designated by the Internal Revenue Service. FIF is a joint effort of conservation professionals and concerned private citizens striving to create public awareness about the endangered island fox and to raise funds to support education, research and conservation measures to ensure the island fox’s survival.

Friends of the Island Fox (FIF) was founded as a non-profit 501 (c) (3) charitable and educational corporation in March, 2005. On January 1, 2011, FIF joined with the Channel Islands Park Foundation (www.ciparkfoundation.org) for the joint benefit of both organizations.

 FIF provides presentations to community groups and schools (K-college) regarding the island fox and its important relationship with the Channel Island ecosystem. School programs meet CA State Science Standards and address the Environmental Education Initiative (EEI). FIF also offers professional development workshops for educators on using a local endangered species and the Channel Islands to teach math, science, language skills and conservation issue resolution.

To reach us:

Friends of the Island Fox
c/o Channel Islands Park Foundation
1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001

by phone: (805) 228-4123

e-mail: admin@islandfox.org

Program Administrators

Patricia M. Meyer, Island Fox Program Director
Born and educated in England, Pat immigrated to Canada, and then to the United States, settling in Los Angeles where she completed her MBA through the University of Redlands, California. Following employment in advertising and marketing, the remainder of her career was spent as Vice-President of Personnel and Administration for a nationwide property-casualty insurance company, handling all aspects of human resource management and the administration of the company’s five corporate offices. Pat founded Friends of the Island Fox in 2005 and served as its President until December 31, 2010. She continues to guide FIF’s activities and currently holds a position on the Channel Islands Park Foundation Board of Directors.

To Reach Pat Meyer regarding the Friends of the Island Fox Program school visits or community programs:
(805) 228-4123 or pat@islandfox.org


Keri F. Dearborn, Education Director
Keri is a California native. She earned her BA from the University of California, Los Angeles and received her MA in Environmental Education from CA State University San Bernardino in 2009. As well as developing conservation and educational materials and programs for a variety of non-profit organizations and private companies, she is a nonfiction writer and a contributing author for a number of textbooks, teachers’ guides, and state literacy tests. Keri served as V.P. of Education on the Friends of the Island Fox Board of Directors from 2005-2010 and continues to direct FIF’s educational programs.

To Reach Keri Dearborn regarding Friends of the Island Fox educational materials or programs:
(805) 228-4123 or islandfoxnews@gmail.com

Updated 1/10/11