Janet Rachlow

Janet Rachlow is a Professor of Wildlife Ecology at the University of Idaho's College of Natural Resources, Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences. She holds a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology from the University of Nevada Reno and an M.S. in Wildlife Management from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Her research focuses on behavioral ecology and conservation of mammals, particularly examining habitat relationships, viewshed estimation, and sagebrush ecosystem dynamics. She leads the Rachlow Lab and has published extensively on topics such as pygmy rabbit conservation, thermal refuge mapping, and 3D visibility analysis using LiDAR technology.

Rachlow has received numerous awards, including the 2022 Outstanding Instructor Award and the 2008 Ted Trueblood Communications Award. Her work integrates field studies, remote sensing, and genetic tools to address conservation challenges in sagebrush ecosystems.

Current research includes understanding pygmy rabbit habitat needs, evaluating functional properties of cover for prey species, and linking forest management practices to moose population trends. She collaborates on projects funded by grants and partnerships, emphasizing applied ecological solutions.

Her lab (Rachlow Lab) supports graduate and undergraduate students in interdisciplinary research, with a focus on bridging ecological theory and conservation practice. She advises on curriculum development and experiential learning, as seen in her integration of LiDAR into field courses.