Virginia Tech Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation

09/30/2026

Study Emerging Diseases in the Chilean Andes

A recent Virginia Tech News article highlights a spring study abroad course led by GCC affiliate Dr. Luis Escobar, Fish and Wildlife Conservation, that will take students from the classroom to the field to explore how infectious diseases emerge across changing landscapes.

Combining coursework with a research expedition in Chile, students investigate the roles of climate, biodiversity, land use, and human activity in disease dynamics. The hands-on experience offers opportunities to develop field research skills, engage with local communities, and contribute to ongoing research on emerging infectious diseases.

More: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2026/09/study-abroad-chile.html

Virginia Tech College of Natural Resources and Environment

06/29/2026

In case you missed it, our own Bill Hopkins was the Man of the Hour as the Salem RidgeYaks had Hellbender Night on Friday. He spent a few minutes in the broadcast booth discussing hellbenders. When the Red Sox decided to rebrand the team, Hellbenders was a finalist for the new team name. Thanks to the RidgeYaks for providing this clip. The RidgeYaks and MiLB retain ownership.

04/15/2026

02/10/2026

Giving Day is right around the corner!

We’re looking for Giving Day Ambassadors to help spread the word and amplify the impact of Giving Day across our community.

Interested in signing up? Learn more and join us at givingday.vt.edu

02/03/2026

We know her as one of the rock stars of CNRE and the Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation. But did you know she's a California native who was in elementary school when she set herself on a course for a career helping big cats? Read more about the inestimable Marcella Kelly.

A professor for more than two decades, Kelly struggled to find her calling in college, but a course in wildlife, fish and conservation biology has ultimately led to her becoming one of the world’s top experts in conservation efforts for jaguars, pumas, ocelots, and other big cats.

11/14/2025

10/09/2025

Whatever you did this summer, it's a safe bet FWC student Olivia Bledsoe had a wilder time. She was one of four women who spent 80 days paddling from Lake Superior to Hudson Bay.
https://brnw.ch/21wWss6

This Virginia Tech student embarked on a 1,300-mile journey from Lake Superior to the Hudson Bay to bring awareness to proposed harmful mining operations in wilderness areas along the U.S.-Canada border and to encourage females to participate in paddle sports.

🔗: https://brnw.ch/21wWss6

09/10/2025

Assistant Professor Beth Nyboer and students have been working with indigenous people around the Great Lakes to learn about their communication and management of sea lamprey eels.

Assistant Professor Beth Nyboer was awarded a grant to study how communication around sea lamprey management and control takes place between state authorities and Indigenous communities to identify communication practices and support systems.