Susan Townsend, Ph.D.
Senior Associate Conservation Biologist

Dr. Townsend is a wildlife ecologist whose training and experience has focused on conducting surveys for special status wildlife, writing biological assessments, evaluating environmental impact reports and coordinating projects. Her area of expertise include the following:

Special status Species Surveys. Dr. Townsend has several years of experience conducting San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) surveys using spotlighting, camera and track stations as detection tools. She conducted surveys in Hollister, Dublin, Livermore, and at the Lemoore Naval Air Station. She completed a geographical range assessment for the San Joaquin kit fox in the north part of its range as well as assisting Dr. Jennings with projects concerning the California red-legged frog in Santa Clara County. Her research experience includes an ecology study on Adelie penguins in the Antarctic, a behavioral study on wolves (Canis lupus ssp.) in Colorado and a chemosensory behavior study of hermit crabs at the Marine Biological Laboratories in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. She has assisted on a project involving hyenas at a captive facility at the University of Berkeley, studied squirrels in montane habitat in Colorado and American kestrels in foothill habitats of Colorado.

Preparation of CEQA/NEPA Documents. Dr. Townsend has designed mitigation measures and biological monitoring plans. She has reviewed and assisted in completing biological sections of NEPA and CEQA documents. She has experience working with various government agencies including the California Department of Fish and Game and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.