Dr. John R. Squires is a research wildlife biologist with the Rocky Mountain Research Station, Wildlife and Terrestrial Ecosystem Program, located in Missoula, Montana. I lead a research team that is responsible for discovering and synthesizing information that is needed to conserve threatened, endangered, and sensitive forest carnivores throughout the Rocky Mountains. My research program focuses primarily on the management and conservation of Canada lynx and wolverines. I enjoy the challenge of studying species like lynx and wolverines that are rare, secretive and that have important conservation needs. Lynx and wolverine are highly mobile and depend on broad landscapes to meet their resource needs. Thus, I study a diversity of ecological issues that requires collaborations with individuals from many different agencies and organizations. The topics that we research include: multi-scale evaluations of resource selection; forest carnivore movements and connectivity across broad landscapes; factors affecting population viability; the effects of forest management, recreation and other human-induced impacts on species persistence; developing detection and monitoring methods for forest carnivores; and determining the effects of climate change on lynx and wolverine. We have researched lynx ecology in western Montana since 1998 and the Northern Rockies Lynx Study has been on-going for over a decade. The new understandings that we develop are based primarily on research conducted in the field. We use state-of-the-art methods when researching forest carnivores that include: GPS telemetry, conservation genetics, and rigorous field sampling and monitoring. I also maintain a life-long interest in raptor management and conservation, especially in regards to northern goshawks. The research topics that I currently study include: 1) Seasonal changes in resource use of Canada lynx; 2) Canada lynx movements and connectivity in the north-central Rockies; 3) Canada lynx population viability in the northern Rockies; 4) Determining Canada lynx response to winter recreation in Colorado; 5) Determining the response of wolverines to winter recreation in Idaho; and 6) Determining how oil and gas development affects ferruginous hawks in Wyoming based on GPS telemetry and conservation genetics.

Contact: jsquires@fs.fed.us

Education

• 1991, Ph. D., University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY; Department of Zoology
• 1986, M. S., University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY; Department of Zoology
• 1979, B.S., Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO; School of Forestry - Wildlife Biology