Center for Sonoran Desert Studies

CURRICULUM VITAE

Karen Krebbs, B.Sc. Wildlife Biology & Management
 Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 2021 N. Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ 85743-9719, kkrebbs@desertmuseum.org, 520-883-3067.

EXPERTISE

Wildlife surveys and monitoring; Natural resource education; Sonoran Desert natural history & southwest ecosystems knowledge; Bird and mammal expertise; Detail oriented leader; Ability to plan, coordinate, and implement priority projects; Grant writing, reporting, and budget administration; Public speaking; Writing.

ACADEMIC BACKGROUND

B.Sc. in Wildlife Biology & Management, 1986, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona.
Graduate Studies in Wildlife Ecology, 1991-1993, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

EXPERIENCE

Has experience in surveying birds and mammals of the Sonoran Desert with an emphasis on birds and bats. Supervisory experience for employees, contractors, and volunteers. Conducted education workshops and seminars on birds & mammals for the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (ASDM), local schools (AZ. & Mexico), Tucson Audubon Society, Pima County Parks & Recreation, University of Arizona Elderhostel, National Park Service, AZ. Game & Fish Department, U.S Fish & Wildlife Service, yearly bird festivals (Wings Over Willcox, S.W. Wings, etc.), University of Arizona Extended University, Tucson Unified School District, and local bird groups (Tucson & Phoenix Aviculture Society, etc.). Has led natural history trips in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Mexico, Baja, Costa Rica, and Africa. Initiated and maintained strong working relationships with state and federal partner agencies (AZ. Game & Fish Dept., U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, AZ. State Parks, Department of Defense, City of Tucson, Pima County, etc.), University of Arizona researchers, private contractors, and land owners during field projects and grant work. Has obtained over $500,000 in grants for bird and bat research in Arizona and northern Mexico. Completed progress and yearly reports and maintained budgets for grants. Presented research results at conferences, meetings, and seminars.

Wildlife Surveys, Monitoring, Research, and Education Projects

  • Bat Houses at the Agua Caliente Park, Tucson, Arizona (2009). Worked closely with Pima County Natural Resource staff to install bat houses at the Agua Caliente Park.
  • Identifying, Monitoring, and Managing Bat Species at Tumacacori National Historical Park, Arizona (2009). This project identifies bat species and develops and implements management practices that promote local bat populations at the Tumacacori National Historic Park.
  • Migratory Pollinators, Alamos, Sonora, Mexico (2009). Conduct baseline bird surveys on bird presence and abundance in ecological important habitats near Alamos, Sonora, Mexico.
  • Bat Houses at the Sweetwater Wetlands, Tucson, Arizona (2008). Worked closely with the City of Tucson to install 13 bat houses at the Sweetwater Wetlands and develop bat education interpretive signs.
  • Bat Inventory & Monitoring at The Muleshoe Ranch Cooperative Management Area and Aravaipa Canyon Preserve, southeastern Arizona, (2007-2009). Conducted bat inventories, trained staff, and made presentations on bat natural history and study results.
  • Bat Inventory, Monitoring, and Education in Alamos, Sonora, Mexico (2007-2008). Conducted bat surveys and carried out educational workshops and presentations in Alamos, Sonora, Mexico. Trained local biologists and worked with officials to initiate protection of an important lesser long-nosed bat roost in this area. Collected cheek DNA from lesser long-nosed bats for a research project at the University of AZ. (Dr. Melanie Culver & Judith Ramirez).
  • Sonoran Desert Network Inventory & Monitoring Program, NPSpecies Database (2006-2007). Hired by the National Park Service to review all bird and mammal records for nine parks in Arizona.
  • Understanding the Fall Migration of the Endangered Lesser Long-Nosed Bat (Leptonycteris curasoae) An Extension of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's Migratory Pollinator Program (Two-Year Project, 2004-2005). We marked 106 lesser long-nosed bats with PIT Tags and radio transmitters in southwestern Arizona and followed three of the bats to roosts and foraging grounds in southeastern Arizona. This is the first evidence that suggests that some of the bats are moving across the state in late summer to utilize the agaves before moving into Mexico for the winter (in prep). We also collected cheek DNA (a new method) from 141 bats for analysis at the University of AZ. We tested a customized fly-through antenna to detect the bats at a maternity roost.
  • Habitat Use by the Endangered Lesser Long-Nosed Bat (Leptonycteris curasoae) Along Military Routes in Southern Arizona (2002-2004). Worked in seven mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona for the Department of Defense (Luke Air Force Base) to determine the effects of military aircraft training on lesser long-nosed bat foraging and activity.
  • Bat House Use at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ (2002-on going). Designed, built, and installed 33 bat houses (with the help of volunteers and staff) on the grounds of the Desert Museum to test the preference of bat utilization. Organized and supervised volunteers, schools, and organizations that participated in the project.
  • Hummingbird Nectar Corridors and Educational Outreach in the Southern Arizona Border Region: An Extension of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum's Migratory Pollinator Program. (2002). We established protocols for and collected data on nectar production, nectar availability, and distribution of hummingbirds in areas with flowering ocotillos along identified hummingbird migratory corridors in Arizona. We also conducted educational workshops on hummingbird natural history and movements to local groups and schools.
  • Biological Survey of Ironwood Forest National Monument (2001-2003). Carried out surveys for the endangered lesser long-nosed bat in the Ironwood Forest National Monument for the Bureau of Land Management.
  • Pollinator Monitoring & Education in Mexico (2001-2002). Participated in a large project that included an international team of biologists and educators working together through northern Sonora and southern Arizona. We identified migratory routes of several species of hummingbirds, located flower resources important to the birds, identified crucial bat roosting sites for the endangered lesser long-nosed bat in Sonora, and carried out numerous educational workshops and presentations in both Sonora and southern Arizona.
  • Chiricahua National Monument and Fort Bowie National Historic Site Bat Surveys and Monitoring (2000-2009, 10-year project, on-going). Carried out yearly bat surveys and monitoring at the Chiricahua National Monument and Fort Bowie National Historic Site. Also trained and gave presentations to National Park Service staff, volunteers, and the public.
  • Migratory Pollinators and Their Nectar Corridors in the Southwestern U.S. and Northern Mexico (1999-2002). Participated in a large-scale study on migratory pollinators for lesser long-nosed bats, rufous hummingbirds, white-winged doves, and monarch butterflies. We identified corridors and habitat essential for migratory animals. We conducted surveys and carried out educational workshops in Arizona and northern Mexico.

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

Conservation Biologist, Center for Sonoran Desert Studies, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona, 1999 to current date.

Collection Manager (Curator), Mammalogy and Ornithology, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona, 1996 to 1999.

Assistant Curator, Mammalogy and Ornithology, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona, 1995-1996.

Head Keeper, Mammalogy and Ornithology, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona, 1993-1995.

Lead Keeper, Mammalogy and Ornithology, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona, 1988-1993.

Bird and Mammal Keeper, Mammalogy and Ornithology, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona, 1987-1995.

Dog Trainer, Veterinarian Technician, and Lab Assistant, Adobe Dog Training and Kennel, Blue Cross Coronado Heights Animal Hospital, Tucson, Arizona, 1987.

Student Farm and Ranch Assistant, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 1984-1987.

Magazine Representative, Select Magazines, Inc., Tucson, Arizona, 1978-1984.

Warehouse Worker, Tucson News Agency, Tucson, Arizona, 1973-1978

Student Biology Lab Assistant, Pima Community College, Tucson, Arizona, 1971-1973.

AWARDS

1992, 1997, 2002, 2007 - Five, ten, fifteen and twenty year service award for loyalty, dedication, and commitment to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

1997 - American Zoological Association Honors and Awards Program, Edward H. Bean Award Significant Achievement: The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum "Hummingbird Propagation Program".

1993 - Excellence in Journalism Award from the Animal Keepers' Forum and the American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. for the article "Four Years of Hummingbird Breeding at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

1993 - American Association of Zoo Keepers Jean C. Hromadka Excellence in Zookeeping Award for outstanding work with hummingbirds and work in educational outreach and staff training.

1990 - Honorable Mention in the Exhibit Design Category of articles published in 1989. "The Creation and Operation of a Native Hummingbird Exhibit". The American Association of Zookeepers. Animal Keepers' Forum.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

2007 - Conversational Spanish, ASDM Language Speaking Courses, Tucson, AZ.
2003 - WORD 2000, Element K Courseware, Tucson, AZ.
2002 - EXCEL Workshop, Fred Pryor Seminars, Tucson, AZ.
2001 - Grant Proposal Writing, AZ. State Library & Public Records & Amigos Library Services, Inc., Kingman, AZ.
2000 - AZA Population Management Course, Wheeling, W. Virginia.
1999 - Microsoft Power Point Presentations, Continuing Education Center, Tucson, AZ.
1999 - Chemical Immobilization of Animals, Safe Capture International, Phoenix, AZ.
1998 - AZA Studbook Course, Wheeling, W. Virginia.
1997 - AZA Professional Management Development for Zoo & Aquarium Personnel, Yr. 2, Wheeling, W. Virginia.
1996 - AZA Professional Management Development for Zoo & Aquarium Personnel, Yr. 1, Wheeling, W. Virginia.
1993 - Tucson Audubon Institute of Desert Ecology, Catalina State Park, AZ.
1993 - Bat Conservation International 7-day Bat Workshop, S.W. Research Station, AZ.

PUBLICATIONS

Krebbs, K. 2009. New Distribution and Movements for the Lesser Long-Nosed Bat (Leptonycteris curasoae yerbabuenae) in Southern Arizona. The Southwestern Naturalist. In prep.

Krebbs, K. 2007. Hummingbirds. In G. Holland (ed.), Encyclopedia of Aviculture, Hancock House Publishers, Blaine, WA.

Krebbs, K., T.R.Van Devender, and F. Molina-Freaner. Conservación en Movimiento, La Migración. Nuestra Tierra. Numero 8, 2007.

Krebbs, K. The Gambel's Quail: A Darling of the Desert. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Newsletter. Vol. 8, Issue 3, 2007.

Krebbs, K, and A. McIntire. Making Room for Urban Bats. Sonorensis, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Winter 2006.

Krebbs, K., T.R.Van Devender, F. Molina-Freaner, and E. Gomez-Limon. Conservation in Motion: Hummingbird Migration in Sonora. Sonorensis, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Winter 2005.

Krebbs, K., R.A. Medellin, Y. Petryszyn, A. McIntire, L. Lewis, and D. Dalton. Lesser Long-Nosed Bat: Conservation, Research, and Education. Sonorensis, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Winter 2005.

Krebbs, K. Anatomy of an Exhibit: The Hummingbird Aviary. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Newsletter. Vol. 6, Issue 2, 2005.

Van Devender, T.R., K. Krebbs, J-L. Cartron, A.L. Reina, and W.A. Calder. 2005. Hummingbird Communities Along an Elevational Gradient in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Eastern Sonora, Mexico. In J-L. Cartron and G. Ceballos (eds.), BIODIVERSITY, ECOSYSTEMS, AND CONSERVATION IN NORTHERN MEXICO, Oxford University Press, New York, New York.

Krebbs, K., D. Rimlinger, and M. Mace. 2004. Hummingbird Husbandry Manual. American Zoological Association Taxon Advisory Group Publication. pp. 1-32.

Van Devender, T.R., W.A. Calder, K. Krebbs, A L. Reina G., S.M. Russell, and R.O. Russell. 2004. Hummingbird Plants and Potential Nectar Corridors for the Rufous Hummingbird in Sonora, Mexico. In G.P. Nabhan (ed.), Conserving Migratory Pollinators and Nectar Corridors in Western North America, University of Arizona Press, Tucson, AZ. pp. 96-121.

Krebbs, K. and Y. Petryszyn. 2003. Lesser Long-Nosed Bat (Leptonycteris curasoae) Study in The Ironwood Forest National Monument for 2001-2003 for the Bureau of Land Management. In M.A. Dimmitt and T.R. Van Devender (PI's), Biological Survey of Ironwood Forest National Monument, Bureau of Land Management Publication, Tucson Field Office.

Krebbs, K. 2003. Bat Species Accounts and resources for Bats. In T. Snow and K Hinman (eds.), The Arizona Bat Conservation Strategic Plan, The Arizona Game & Fish Department, Tucson, AZ. pp. 1-173.

Krebbs, K. 2002. Hummingbirds: Beauty in Flight. Publications International, Ldt., Lincolnwood, IL. Pp. 1-128.

Van Devender, T.R., K. Krebbs, A.L. Reina-Guerrero, S.M. Russell, S.O. Russell, and W.A. Calder. 2001. Hummingbird and Plants in East-Central Sonora, Mexico. II Simposium Internacional Sobre La Utilizacion Y Aprovechamiento De La Flora Silvestre De Zonas Aridas.

Krebbs, K., T.R. Van Devender, A.L. Reina, S.M. Russell, R. Russell, and W.A. Calder. 2000. Hummingbirds and Plants in East-Central Sonora, Mexico. In D. Vasquez del Castillo, M. Ortega N., R.A. Corella B., and R.A. Castillo G. (eds.), Simposium Internacional sobre la Utilizacion y Aprovechamiento de la Flora Silvestre de Zonas Arida, Departmento de Investigaciones Cientificas y Technologicas de la Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo. Pp. 203-208.

Krebbs, K., K. Kaufman, and Desert Museum Staff. 2000. Birds. In S.J. Phillips and P. Wentworth Comus (eds.), A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert, ASDM Press, Tucson, AZ. pp. 373-458.

Krebbs, K. 1999. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museums Hummingbird Propagation Program. 22nd Annual International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Conference Proceedings. Tucson, AZ. pp. 46-52.

Krebbs, K. Hummingbird Breeding Success (with some help from spiders). Sonorensis, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Winter, 1998.

Krebbs, K. 1997. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Reports Significant Hatching. Communiqué, American Zoo & Aquarium Association. Bethesda, MD. Sept. pp. 6.

Krebbs, K. 1997. The Hummingbirds of the Sonoran Desert Region Exhibit. The Journal of the American Association of Botanical Gardens & Arboreta - Public Garden. 12 (4) Oct. pp. 20-22.

Krebbs, K. 1992. Hummingbird Breeding and Nesting Success at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Proc. AAZPA Western Regional Conference in Tucson, AZ. pp. 410-417.

Krebbs, K. 1992. Four Years of Hummingbird Breeding at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Animal Keepers Forum. Dec. pp. 430-436.

Krebbs, K. and B. Palmer. 1989. Creation and Operation of a Native Hummingbird Exhibit. Proc. AAZK National Conference in Syracuse, N.Y. pp. 22-28.