The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation recently presented Joshua Millspaugh with its Excellence in Elk Country Award. It happened at the 13th Western States and Provinces Deer and Elk Workshop in Marfa, Texas.
The award recognizes an individual scientist or wildlife biologist whose career demonstrated desire and dedication to benefit the scientific management of elk or elk habitat, in addition to a desire and dedication to go above and beyond the normal course of duty as demonstrated by publications, participation in professional organizations and symposiums, recognitions and awards and other activities.
Millspaugh began his wildlife career in earnest while pursuing a graduate degree in Wildlife Science at South Dakota State University in the 1990s. It was there he produced research over a four-year period focusing on elk in the Black Hills. His PhD at the University of Washington further focused on the Black Hills herd.
As an assistant professor at the University of Missouri, he received accolades for teaching while also heading up the University of Missouri Elk Restoration Team by providing expertise in elk handling and providing numerous graduate students an opportunity to participate in elk research.
While currently working at the University of Montana, Millspaugh now leads RMEF-sponsored research looking at RMEF habitat enhancement treatments projects and their effect on vegetation, elk use, resident bird use and pollinator prevalence.
(Photo source: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)