Dare to Imagine: Erin Stahler

Women Lifting Other Women

Erin is the linchpin of the daily work of the Yellowstone Wolf Project. She manages the database, equipment, and is an integral member of the capture team each winter. Her enthusiasm for the work she does and they way she made me feel welcome when I first started working for the project are only a couple examples of why Erin inspires me.

One of the most important aspects of wolf research in Yellowstone is wolf capture. Erin is responsible for preparing the team and equipment for capture each winter. Her involvement ensures the safety of the biologists and the animals involved.
-Maddy Jackson, Wildlife Research Technician for the Yellowstone Wolf Project

Erin in the field collecting a wolf radio collar and skull from a natural mortality.

Erin, what project would you like to highlight?

I am part of the Yellowstone Wolf Project, which is one of the most successful large carnivore restoration projects in the world. Part of this work involves long-term monitoring of the Yellowstone wolf population through capture, radio-collaring, and tracking individuals throughout their lives. In addition to my work on wolves, I also assist with the capture and collaring of bison, mule deer, bighorn sheep, elk, pronghorn, and cougars for other research.

Will you tell us a little about that project?

Since wolf reintroduction in 1995, long-term ecological studies and monitoring have been in place to understand wolves’ demographics, life history, social behavior, genetics, disease ecology, impacts on their prey, and interactions with other carnivores and scavengers. There is a lot of misinformation about wolves, so our project uses hard earned data to understand the role wolves play in the ecosystem. For example, we often hear from the general public that wolves have "decimated" the Yellowstone elk herds. Our research demostrates that while elk numbers have declined, there are still abundant elk in the park. And importantly, elk numbers are influenced by the combined effects of wolves, cougar, bears, human hunters outside the park, and seasonal environmental changes like winter severity and drought.

What was the hardest part about getting to where you are now? How did you overcome it?

I had to volunteer for little to no money before I could find a permanent job. It's a highly competitive field so being persistent and getting my foot in the door through initially volunteering is what helped me the most.

Erin transporting an anesthetized wolf during helicopter capture as part of the Yellowstone Wolf Project's annual radio collaring efforts.

What was your path like? How did you get to where you are now?

I wanted to become a veterinarian but I realized in college that not only did I not have the GPA, but that I was much more interested in wildlife behavior. I grew up and went to college in Minnesota and I volunteered tracking wolves in the Superior National Forest in northern Minnesota after I graduated from college in 2000. I traveled to Yellowstone in 2005 to work for a study on survival and mortality causes for neonatal (baby) elk calves. This lead me to volunteering with the Yellowstone Wolf Project, which then led to a paid position in 2006. In 2008, I was hired as a National Park Service (NPS) Career Seasonal for the Yellowstone Wolf Project as a Biological Science Technician. I have been in this position since 2008 and plan to continue working here for the rest of my career. While my primary duties are with wolves, I also work with other species like elk and cougars, as well as serve as a natural resources helicopter manager for Yellowstone National Park.

What are you most proud of?

I have a gained a lot of wildlife capture experience over the years and am proud that I can apply safe and effective techniques for this important aspect of wildlife conservation. I can comfortably handle most wildlife animals that are native to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and often we are asked to help wild animals in need. For example, this past fall we rescued a cow elk that fell into a basement of a house that was under construction just outside of Yellowstone. A small group of us immobilized her safely, then used a fork lift and ropes to pull her out . She is still alive today and gave birth to a calf this summer. But something I am most proud of is my knack of finding dropped elk antlers outside of Yellowstone (collecting is prohibited inside the park). This is a grueling hobby in which I hike and search miles of rough mountain terrain during the spring months. It is very competitive and most of my competitors are men.

Favorite Quote?

The Dare to Imagine Project is funded by an Innovation and Impact Grant provided by the National Park Foundation. This grant supports projects and programs that help the National Park Service share a more comprehensive American narrative that includes the voices of women whose vision, tenacity, and resilience moved them to climb mountains, take down barriers, shape history, protect the environment, and lead social movements. Read more of these women's stories on the Dare to Imagine page.