Avian Researcher, Greater Sage-grouse
Contact Info
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
NW Regional Office
711 Independent Ave.
Grand Junction, CO 81505
Email: brett.walker@state.co.us
Phone: (970) 255-6125
Education
Ph.D., Fish and Wildlife Biology — University of Montana-Missoula, 2008
M.S., Organismal Biology and Ecology — University of Montana-Missoula, 2000
B.A., Environmental Sciences — University of California-Berkeley, 1990
Current or Recent Positions
Avian Researcher— Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 2007-Present
Current or Recent Research Projects
Using GPS satellite transmitters to estimate lek-based population monitoring and habitat use of male greater sage-grouse in northwestern Colorado
Evaluating lek-based monitoring and management strategies for greater sage-grouse in the Parachute-Piceance-Roan population in northwestern Colorado
Evaluation of alternative population monitoring strategies for greater sage-grouse in the Parachute-Piceance-Roan population of northwestern Colorado
Assessment of greater sage-grouse response to pinyon-juniper removal in the Parachute-Piceance-Roan population of northwestern Colorado
Areas of Interest, Expertise
My research interests and areas of expertise include conservation, management, behavioral ecology, and population monitoring of game and non-game birds in terrestrial systems, with a focus on sagebrush-steppe ecosystems, energy development, and effects of West Nile virus.
Selected Publications
Walker, B. L., S. R. Goforth, M. A. Neubaum, and M. M. Flenner. 2020. Quantifying habitat loss and modification from recent expansion of energy infrastructure in an isolated, peripheral greater sage-grouse population. Journal of Environmental Management. 255: 190819.
Shyvers, J. E., B. L. Walker, S. J. Oyler-McCance, J. A. Fike, and B. R. Noon. 2019. Genetic mark-recapture analysis of winter fecal pellets allows estimation of population size in Sage Grouse Centrocercus urophasianus. Ibis. DOI: 10.1111/ibi/12768.
Shyvers, J. E., B. L. Walker, and B. R. Noon. 2018. Dual-frame lek surveys for estimating sage-grouse populations. Journal of Wildlife Management 82:1689-1700. DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.2154.
Walker, B. L., A. D. Apa, and K. Eichhoff. 2016. Mapping and prioritizing seasonal habitats for greater sage-grouse in northwestern Colorado. Journal of Wildlife Management 80:63-77. DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.962
Doherty, K. E., D. E. Naugle, J. D. Tack, B. L. Walker, J. M. Graham, and J. L. Beck. 2014. Linking conservation actions to demography: grass height explains variation in greater sage-grouse nest survival. Wildlife Biology 20:320-325.
Fedy, B. C., K. E. Doherty, C. L. Aldridge, M. O’Donnell, J. L. Beck, B. Bedrosian, D. L. Gummer, M. J. Holloran, G. D. Johnson, N. W. Kaczor, C. P. Kirol, C. A. Mandich, D. Marshall, G. McKee, C. Olson, A. C. Pratt, C. C. Swanson, and B. L. Walker. 2014. Habitat prioritization across large landscapes, multiple seasons, and novel areas: an example using greater sage-grouse in Wyoming. Wildlife Monographs. 190:1-39.
Fedy, B. C., C. L. Aldridge, K. E. Doherty, J. L. Beck, B. Bedrosian, M. J. Holloran, G. D. Johnson, N. W. Kaczor, C. P. Kirol, C. A. Mandich, D. Marshall, G. McKee, C. Olson, C. C. Swanson, and B. L. Walker. 2012. Inter-seasonal movements of greater sage-grouse, migratory behavior, and an assessment of the core regions concept in Wyoming. Journal of Wildlife Management 76:1062-1071.
Taylor, R., B. L. Walker, L. S. Mills, and D. E. Naugle. 2011. Managing multiple vital rates to maximize greater sage-grouse population growth. Journal of Wildlife Management 76:336-347.
Walker, B. L. and D. E. Naugle. 2011. West Nile virus ecology in sagebrush habitat and impacts on Greater Sage-grouse populations. Pp. 127-142 in S. T. Knick and J. W. Connelly (eds.). Greater sage-grouse: ecology and conservation of a landscape species and its habitats. Studies in Avian Biology, Vol. 38, University of California Press, Berkeley, CA, USA.
Schrag, A. M., S. K. Konrad, S. N. Miller, B. L. Walker, and S. Forrest. 2010. Climate-change impacts on sagebrush habitat and West Nile virus transmission risk and conservation implications for greater sage-grouse. Geojournal. Published on-line. DOI 10.1007/s10708-010-9369-3.
Doherty, K. E., D. E. Naugle, and B. L. Walker. 2010. Greater sage-grouse nesting habitat: the importance of managing at multiple scales. Journal of Wildlife Management 74:1544-1553.
Doherty, K. E., D. E. Naugle, and B. L. Walker. 2008. Sage-grouse winter habitat selection and energy development. Journal of Wildlife Management. 72:187-195.
Walker, B. L., D. E. Naugle, and K. E. Doherty. 2007. Greater sage-grouse population response to habitat loss and coal-bed natural gas development. Journal of Wildlife Management 71: 2644-2654.
Walker, B. L., D. E. Naugle, K. E. Doherty, and T. E. Cornish. 2007. West Nile virus and greater sage-grouse: estimating infection rate in a wild bird population. Avian Diseases 51:691-696.
Naugle, D. E., C. L. Aldridge, B. L. Walker, K. E. Doherty, M. R. Matchett, J. McIntosh, T. E. Cornish, and M. S. Boyce. 2005. West Nile virus and sage-grouse: what more have we learned? Wildlife Society Bulletin 33: 616-623.
Walker, B. L., D. E. Naugle, K. E. Doherty, and T. E. Cornish. 2004. Outbreak of West Nile virus in greater sage-grouse and guidelines for monitoring, handling, and submitting dead birds. Wildlife Society Bulletin 32:1-7.
Naugle, D. E., C. L. Aldridge, B. L. Walker, T. E. Cornish, B. J. Moynahan, M. J. Holloran, K. Brown, G. D. Johnson, E. T. Schmidtmann, C. Y. Kato, R. T. Mayer, M. R. Matchett, T. J. Christiansen, W. E. Cook, T. Creekmore, R. D. Falise, E. T. Rinkes, and M. S. Boyce. 2004. West Nile Virus: pending crisis for sage-grouse. Ecology Letters 7(8):704-713.
