Staff
Tricia Blake
Executive Director
Raised in the deciduous forests and salt marshes of New England, Tricia grew up exploring the outdoors. Her undergraduate studies in ecology included field work on everything from turtles and coyotes to bats and birds–from Cape Cod to Queensland, Australia. She moved west and north, looking for wild places to work and play, and discovered a love of teaching along the way. She eventually ventured north to Alaska where she led the Alaska Bird Observatory’s education & outreach program for a decade. Tricia has been with the Alaska Songbird Institute since its inception in 2013 and has been banding birds on ASI’s core projects for over two decades. She is continually inspired by ASI’s work–bringing together ecological research, education, and community to conserve Alaska’s birds. Tricia earned a B.S. in Biology from Boston College and an M.S. in Ecological Education from Lesley University.
Robert Snowden
Creamer’s Field Migration Station Project Manager
Hailing from western Oregon, Robert’s passion for birds was sparked as an undergraduate student, after a study abroad program in Costa Rica and subsequent ornithology class. Since then, he has worked on avian monitoring projects across the U.S., spanning from California to North Carolina. While Robert’s primary research background is with seabirds–he studied the effects of environmental temperature and human disturbance on Least Tern incubation behavior in graduate school–he has become increasingly engaged with songbird banding and environmental education of late. Recently, he managed seasonal banding stations in southern California, Colorado and Nebraska, and he now looks forward to bringing this experience to his new role at the Creamer’s Field Migration Station. Robert earned a B.S. in Biology from the University of Puget Sound, and an M.S. in Biology from University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Carol Scott
North for Science Founder and Program Coordinator
Originally from Great Britain, Carol Scott now calls Alaska home. Carol has always loved learning about the natural world, and is passionate about sharing knowledge and finding ways to engage students in relevant, active learning. Although Carol has worked as a high school and junior high school classroom science teacher for 20 years (the past 17 in Fairbanks), she came to teaching through her work with students in field science and trail construction programs. When not working with students, Carol spends as much time as she can hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, skiing or floating. Carol has earned two bachelor of science degrees in Hydrology and Environmental Conservation, and an M.S. in Natural Resources Management.
April Harding-Scurr
Research Associate
April grew up in the Pacific Northwest of Oregon in a very small town. From an early age she mainly just wanted to spend as much time as possible outside. In high school she discovered a love of science and birds and has been hooked ever since. After spending a couple years working in Oregon and California studying songbirds, she decided she should move to Alaska in 2005. Her research in Alaska has mainly been focused on breeding and migrating songbirds. During her free hours April spends time playing with her kids, collecting too many animals, gardening, camping, reading, canoeing, and walking around collecting edible wild foods. She helped found the Alaska Songbird Institute in 2013 and has happily been involved in various capacities ever since. April obtained a B.S. in Zoology from Oregon State University and a M.S. from Humboldt State University in Northern California.
Laurel Devaney
Bander/Youth Mentor
Laurel is a retired Education Specialist with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service where she developed a number of programs connecting youth to science and conservation. Since retiring, Laurel has continued her work volunteering throughout her community in support of kids, education, and birds, including with the Alaska Songbird Institute. Laurel was trained as a banding apprentice at the Creamer’s Field Migration Station and she is now an essential part of our banding crew! She is also an active member of ASI’s Events Committee and a bander and mentor on our Tree Swallow Nest Box Project.
Shelby Morgan
Education Director
Originally from Morgantown, West Virginia, Shelby brings a passion for the outdoors and environmental education to her role at the Alaska Songbird Institute. With a degree in Environmental and Sustainability Studies and a certificate in Outdoor Education and Leadership from Northern Arizona University, she is dedicated to facilitating connection to nature and conservation through hands-on learning experiences. Shelby spent two years working in a fire ecology lab at NAU before contributing to research at the Bonanza Creek Long Term Ecological Research site. She also spent a semester abroad teaching environmental programs in Chile, engaging students with the natural world. Outside of work, Shelby enjoys hiking, running, and backpacking. Her love for adventure continues to drive her dedication to environmental education and outreach.
Spencer Zeitoune
Banding Technician
Born and raised in Florida, Spencer has been traveling the country doing seasonal work after graduating from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. He’s worked all over the west coast and New Mexico, and is very excited to be living in Alaska for the season. An avian field course in undergrad sparked his interest in birds and he’s since focused on avian conservation. He is also very passionate about educating others and strives to engage members of the public with conservation efforts. Spencer is working to build a long term career combining his love of wildlife conservation and outreach work! In his free time, he enjoys recreationally birding and herping, playing guitar, and hanging out with friends.
Annika Merkel
Science Communication and Marketing Intern
Annika was born and raised in Fairbanks, and practically raised with songbirds. She loves nature, and has worked with tree swallows for more than half of her life. In addition to working with birds, she is very involved in environmental work in Fairbanks, and is the president of her high school’s climate club. She plans to major in environmental science in college, and keep tight connections with the ecosystems around her as best she can. In her free time, she loves being outside, reading, and playing the violin.
Alexander LenaghanScience Communication and Marketing Intern
Molly Cable