Erin Baerwald

Erin Baerwald is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), Faculty of Environment. She specializes in bat ecology, conservation biology, and the impacts of wind energy on wildlife. Her research focuses on migratory bat behavior, population viability, and mitigation strategies for wind energy development. She holds a PhD in Ecology from the University of Calgary (2015) and has held academic and postdoctoral positions including an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship (2018–2020) and a WAWI Postdoctoral Fellowship (2015–2017).

• Education: PhD, Ecology (University of Calgary, 2015); MSc, Conservation Biology (2008); BSc, Conservation Biology (2005)
• Key Research: Bat migration patterns, wind turbine fatalities, and conservation policy
• Notable Awards: William T. Hornaday Award (2014)
• Policy Engagement: Contributed to bat conservation protocols for wind energy in Alberta and global CMS initiatives

Her research interests span bat behavior, migratory ecology, and applied conservation solutions. Her work integrates field studies, stable isotope analysis, and population modeling to address threats to migratory bats. Recent studies explore homing mechanisms, fur cortisol levels as stress indicators, and turbine design impacts.

Her articles highlight global wind energy impacts, migration ecology, and mitigation strategies. Awards and grants total over $411,000, including NSERC and industry funding.

In advising, she co-supervises PhD and MSc students focusing on bat migration and wind energy interactions. She teaches courses in conservation biology and has given over 30 invited lectures globally on bats and renewable energy.

She is actively involved in professional organizations like the American Society of Mammalogists and the IUCN Bat Specialist Group, contributing to conservation policy and peer review.