Richard D. Crawford Professor of Biology and Interim Director,     Institute for Ecological Studies   B.S.Ed., 1968, M.A., 1969, Northeast Missouri     State University (now Truman State Univ.);     Ph.D., 1975,  Iowa State University  Restoration Ecology (wetlands and prairies),      Conservation Biology, Waterfowl Biology,      Ecology of Wetland and Prairie Birds,      Wildlife Management  Tel. (701) 777-4673 or 777-2621  E-mail: richard_crawford@und.nodak.edu President, North Dakota Chapter, The Wildlife     Society,1981-82.  Associate Editor, Journal of Wildlife      Management, 1980-82.  B.C. Gamble Award for Outstanding Teaching     and Service, 1983.  North Dakota professional award, N.D. Chapter,     The Wildlife Society, 1992.  Thomas J. Clifford Award for Outstanding      Research, 1997  Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor of      Biology, 1997

Because of its strategic location in the Northern Great Plains, North Dakota offers an exciting opportunity to study a variety of wildlife species and their associated habitats.  Vast reaches of native prairie, numerous wetlands, boreal forest, badlands, and disturbed habitats are easily accessible.
 
My research program in the past has dealt mainly with ecology and restoration of wetlands and prairies and their associated avifauna.  I have conducted studies on age-related breeding patterns in blackbirds and American coots, polygyny in sedge wrens, reproductive biology of adelie penguins, asynchronous hatching in rails, and wetland creation and restoration techniques.  Recently, research projects on the ecology of native prairie and prairie passerines have been undertaken as well.
 
Graduate students have worked with me on a wide variety of research projects.  They have addressed questions on (1) use by birds of various natural and disturbed habitats, and (2) reproductive biology, including breeding and postbreeding behavior, resting patterns, brood parasitism, parental investment, and bioenergetics.  Species which have been studied by my students include mallards, lesser scaup, canvasbacks, redheads, three species of grebes, northern shovelers, blue-winged teal, American bitterns, ruffed grouse, gray partridge, and clay-colored sparrows. This work provides basic ecological information and is also of practical importance to the wildlife management of these habitats and species.  

Our research has encompassed a large geographic area, including Manitoba, Nebraska, Louisiana, New Zealand, and Antarctica, in addition to a large number of studies in North Dakota and Minnesota. This work has been supported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Federal Highway Administration, U. S. Bureau of Reclamation, North Dakota Game and Fish Department, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, North Dakota Highway Department, Delta Waterfowl and Wetland Research Station, the University of North Dakota, and several other agencies.

Currently,  I teach courses in Wildlife Conservation, Wildlife Management, Ornithology, Waterfowl Biology, and Environmental Science.  Recent graduate seminars in Ecosystem Management and Restoration Ecology have been offered.  In the future, I hope to teach a graduate-level course in Restoration Ecology as well.