Joshua Stafford

Joshua Stafford is an Associate Professor in the Department of Natural Resource Management at South Dakota State University (SDSU) and serves as Assistant Unit Leader for the U.S. Geological Survey South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. He holds a B.S. in Wildlife Science from Oregon State University (1997), an M.S. in Wildlife from SDSU (2000), and a Ph.D. in Forest Resources and Wildlife from Mississippi State University (2004). Previously, he directed the Steven Forbes Biological Station and Frank C. Bellrose Waterfowl Research Center at the Illinois Natural History Survey for seven years before returning to SDSU.

His research focuses on the ecology and management of North American waterfowl, particularly their foraging, breeding, and migratory behaviors. Key interests include annual-cycle dynamics, wetland management, and the integration of ecological data into practical conservation strategies. He has contributed to understanding waterfowl habitat use, migration patterns, and the impacts of agricultural practices and climate change on avian populations.

Stafford is an associate editor for the Journal of Wildlife Management and Wildlife Society Bulletin, and served as President of the South Dakota Chapter of The Wildlife Society (2017–2018). His work emphasizes translating scientific findings into actionable management recommendations for state and regional agencies. He is based at the McFadden Biostress Laboratory in Brookings, South Dakota, where he continues to mentor graduate students and advance waterfowl conservation efforts.