Dr. Kara Moore-O'Leary

Kara Moore‑O’Leary is an ecologist with the Pacific Southwest Region U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System. Her work focuses on using community and population ecology, species distributions, and data science to support science-based conservation. Recently she has led projects to assess wetland waterbird use and vegetation quality and the health and threats to threatened and endangered species at refuges. Her work helps identify where targeted management actions can enhance habitat and species outcomes. Kara also has worked updates to refuge guiding national conservation policy and has facilitated strategy decision-making approaches to conservation planning and implementation.

 

Kara holds a BS in Biology and an MS in Resource Ecology and Management from the University of Michigan, and a PhD in Ecology and Conservation Biology from the University of California, Davis. Her research background spans rare plant ecology, desert and arid-land systems, and species responses to climate and best practices for utility-scale renewable energy development. She enjoys supporting emerging scientists and strengthening the connection between ecological research and on-the-ground conservation decisions.