John Eadie

John Eadie is a Professor and the Dennis G. Raveling Endowed Chair in Waterfowl Biology at the University of California, Davis, affiliated with the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. He has been at UC Davis since 1995, progressing from Assistant Professor to Distinguished Professor in 2022. Colleagues praise his humility, clarity in teaching, and dedication to supporting underrepresented students through initiatives like the Wood Duck Internship Program, which he founded in 2003 and has engaged over 500 students.

Eadie’s research integrates behavioral ecology, population dynamics, and conservation strategies for waterfowl and wetlands. He emphasizes the importance of preserving wetlands and addressing climate change, drought, and urbanization impacts. His work includes agent-based modeling for habitat and harvest management and studies on conspecific brood parasitism, nest survival, and migratory patterns. Recent articles highlight innovative approaches to understanding stress responses in captive birds and ecological effects of agricultural practices.

In 2023, he received the UC Davis Teaching Prize, donating the $60,000 award to establish a scholarship promoting diversity in wildlife biology. He also contributed to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, serving as a leader in its Continental Assessment Team. Eadie’s advising and mentorship are pivotal in shaping the next generation of conservationists, while his participation in the Avian Sciences and Animal Behavior Graduate Groups expands his academic impact. His advocacy for diversity in conservation professions underscores his commitment to equitable representation.

Eadie collaborates on projects such as the SWAMP agent-based model for wetland management and explores genetic admixture in endangered species like the Hawaiian duck. His legacy combines rigorous scholarship with a passion for education, reflecting his belief that conservation requires both scientific insight and inclusive mentorship.