Migratory Game Bird Program Coordinator

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Bio:

Blair Stringham has worked for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources since 2004 as a Waterfowl Technician, Sage Grouse Biologist, District Biologist, Migratory Game Bird Program Coordinator, and Assistant Section Chief. He currently oversees the management of waterfowl, cranes, band-tailed pigeons, crows, and doves in Utah, and assists with the management of the Wildlife Section for DWR. He received his BS in Wildlife Sciences and MS in Wildlife Biology from Utah State University. Blair lives in northern Utah—God’s country—with his one wife, three kids, and five dogs. When Blair is not working, he prefers to be camping, hiking, hunting, fishing, or watching football, but not necessarily in that order.

Title: An Oasis in the Desert: The Delicate Relationship Between Waterfowl and Great Salt Lake

Abstract: For thousands of years, waterfowl have visited Great Salt Lake (GSL) for the abundant resources found in and near its waters. This relationship has always been complicated due to rising and falling lake elevations resulting from precipitation, runoff, and drought. In the last two-hundred years, development of water and land resources for agriculture, energy, industry, and municipal needs has resulted in less water reaching GSL, which in turn has reduced the amount of habitat for breeding, migrating, and wintering waterfowl. This presentation will discuss waterfowl use of GSL and how waterfowl use has changed through time. Potential implications to waterfowl populations from reductions in GSL habitats will also be discussed.