Roger Boyd | Curriculum Vitae

Current Position

Emeritus Professor of Biology, Baker University
Director, Baker University Natural Areas
Adjunct Curator, University of Kansas, Museum of Natural History

Education

Doctor of Philosophy 1976 (Zoology); Department of Zoology and Entomology; Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Master of Science 1972 (Biology); Department of Biology; Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas.

Bachelor of Science 1969 (Biology major, Chemistry minor); Department of Biology; Baker University, Baldwin City, Kansas

Teaching Experience at Baker University

Regular Catalog Courses

Human Ecology, Botany, General Biology, Wetland and Prairie Ecology, Wildlife Management, Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy, Dendrology, Vertebrate Natural History, Embryology

Interterm, Special Topics, Independent Study (done more than once)

Tropical Ecology, Taxidermy, Plant Taxonomy, Human Embryology, Basic Hydrology, Small Mammal Populations, Winter and Breeding Bird Population Studies, Marine Biology, Population Ecology of Least Terns, Urban Landscaping, approximately 25 others done singly over the years. Numerous internships throughout year.

Masters of Liberal Arts Program in Kansas City

Biological Man, History of Biology, Animal Behavior (after hours at Kansas City Zoo)

School of Professional & Graduate Studies

Human Ecology

January Interterm Travel Experiences

1978  Coastal Marine Invertebrates. Bolivar Peninsula, Texas.
1981  Tropical Ecology. Colima, Mexico.
1982  Coastal Bird Ecology. 35 Study sites from Texas to Veracruz, Mexico.
1984  Tropical Ecology. Colima, Mexico.
1986  Western Mexico: Its Culture and Ecology. Colima and Jalisco, Mexico.
1988  Western Mexico: Its Culture and Ecology. Colima and Jalisco, Mexico.
1991  Eastern Mexico: Its Culture and Ecology. Tamaulipas, Mexico.
1992  Eastern Mexico: Its Culture and Ecology. Tamaulipas, Mexico.
1995  Costa Rica Tropical Ecology (in conjunction with scuba diving)
1997  Northeastern Mexico: Its Culture and Ecology. 5 states of NE Mexico.
2000  Its Culture and Ecology. 13 states of Central & NE Mexico.

Current Research Interests

Wetland construction, restoration, and enhancement
Avian species diversity and ecology of Central and South American tropics
Native vegetation composition of river floodplain wetlands in eastern Kansas
Habitat management and population ecology of Least Terns and Piping Plovers

Research Experience, Grants & Training

Wetlands Restoration/Mitigation, Phase One of South Lawrence Trafficway. 2008-2010.

Avifauna of Peruvian Cloudforest, Ayacucho, Peru.Museum of Natural History, Univ. of
Kansas. May-July 2008.

Avifauna of Mixed Deciduous Evergreen Forest on Karst in Guizhou, China. Museum of
Natural History, Univ. of Kansas. Spring 2006 and Spring 2007.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Summers 1999-2006. Least Tern and Piping Plover Surveys on the Kansas River.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USFWS, OK Div of Wildlife Conservation, Summer 2005.  Fixed-wing Aerial Survey of Interior Least Terns on Cimarron, Canadian, and Red River Systems in KS, OK, TX, NM.

British Museum of Natural History, Tring, Hertfordshire, UK, prepared study skins for return to Univ. of Kansas. Fall 2002.

Bird Surveys in National Parks in Paraguay, in assoc. with Museum of Natural History, Univ. Of Kansas, Sept.-Oct. 2000. Partial funding by World Bank.

Pilot Class Member of Kansas Environmental Leadership Training Program conducted by K-State and KDHE. Sept. 1999.

EPA Environmental Education Grant. “Baker University Wetlands: Wetlands with a View,” August 1997.

Wetlands Restoration/Improvement Project Grants: Dunbar, Snodgrass, Lawrence Industrial Park,1990; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 1991-3, 1995, 1997; Jayhawk Audubon, 1993, 1998; Western Resources, 1993-4; Merck Co. Trust, 1994; Kansas Biological Survey, 1994-6; Williams Foundation, 1996; KCPL, 2003.

Travel for Learning & Professional Development Grants:  Costa Rica 1988; Western US,
1991; Amazon, Peru 1994; NE Mexico 1995; Peruvian Rain Forest and Andes, 1997; Bolivia 1999; Wetlands Mitigation, Tacoma, WA;  GIS Workshop 2000; Ecuador and Peru 2000;  Bolivia 2001; Wetlands Delineating Training, Puerto Rico, 2002; Ecosystems of Western Spain, 2002; Wetlands Short Course, Ohio St. Univ. 2007.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 1993. Least Tern nesting habitat restorationproject, Meade Co., KS. 

Kansas Non Game Wildlife Program, 1981-1993.  Research contract on "Population Ecology and Habitat Management of Snowy Plover and Least Tern in Kansas." 

Oregon State University Marine Center, Newport, Oregon, October 1980. Invited participant in the "Western Snowy Plover Workshop."

University of Kansas. August 1980. Seminar on "Fundamentals of Remote Sensing."

Oak Ridge Associated Universities, August 1977. Two-week seminar course on "Energy Conservation: Theory and Practice."

Colorado State University, 1973-1976. Research on the Horned Lark consisting of investigation of behavior, reproduction, population dynamics and food utilization for a population on the shortgrass prairie (see Publications); Graduate research assistant (January August 1973), performed data reduction analysis with stomach content data for insectivore granivore grassland birds; co authored technical report for I.B.P. Grassland Biome project of National Science Foundation.

Emporia State University, 1970-1972. Research on the Snowy Plover in central Kansas including behavioral observations of the adults and investigations on growth and dispersal patterns of the young (see Publications).

Baker University, 1969. Senior interim project involved prairie grass seed germination success after various scarification methods were applied.

Membership in Professional Societies

American Ornithologists' Union (Life Member)

Cooper Ornithological Society (Life Member)

Kansas Ornithological Society: (Life Member) Board of Dir. 1981, 1982; Vice President, 1983 1984; President, 1984-1986; Representative to Kansas Non Game Advisory Council, 1985 1987; Bird Records Comm., 1987-99.

Kansas Native Plants Society: Board of Directors, 1990-2007.

National Audubon Society: Fort Collins, Colorado: Vice President, 1974-1976; Lawrence, Kansas: Board of Directors 1980-1981, 1983-1987, 1996-2002; Vice President, 1982-1983, & 1991-1993; Repr. to Kansas Audubon Council, 1984-1987.

Wilson Ornithological Society (Life Member).

Honors & Awards

Ten Most Outstanding Students" Award, Baker University, 1968.

Department of Biology Graduate Research Award, Emporia, 1970 and 1971.

Graduate Research Award, Kansas Academy of Science, 1971.

American Ornithologists' Union Membership Award, 1973.

Robert M. Lechleitner Memorial Award, Department of Zoology, CSU, 1974.

Frank M. Chapman Memorial Fund Research Award, Am.Museum of Natural History, 1975.

Louis Agassiz Fuertes Grant in Aid, Wilson Ornithological Society, 1975.

Elected to Membership of Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, 1977.

Elected Honorary Member of Alpha Delta Sigma, 1977. Secretary-Treasurer 1980-1984.

Co-Sponsor of Blue Key National Honor Society. 1977-1982.

Selected for inclusion in American Men and Women in Science, 1978.

Selected for inclusion in Outstanding Young Men of America, 1980.

Paul A. Stewart Research Award, Wilson Ornithological Society, 1981.

E. Alexander Bergstrom Memorial Research Award, NE Bird Banders Assoc., 1981.

"Mr. Zeta Chi Award" for outstanding help with the Zeta Chi Fraternity, Baker Univ., 1985.

Distinguished Faculty Award, Baker University, 1986.

Selected for inclusion in Who's Who in America, 1986.

Research Associate in Ornithology, Museum of Nat. Hist, Univ. Kansas. Since 1986.

Friends of the Park Citation, Lawrence City Council, 1987.

Fall semester sabbatical, 1988. Studied avian ecology in Costa Rica.

Distinguished Scholarship Award, Baker University, 1989.

Selected for inclusion in Permanent International File of Naturalists, 1989.

Featured Scientist on 30-min. program on Least Tern research which aired on TV stations around the state. Filmed by KS. Dept. Wildlife & Parks.

Environmental Educator of the Year, 1990-1991. Burroughs Audubon of K.C.

Distinguished Service Award for 15 Years of Service, 1991. Science Pioneers.

Featured in chapter of "Feather Quest" a book written by Peter Dunn of NJ.

Selected for inclusion in Who's Who in Science and Engineering, 1992.

Award of Merit. Pelathe District, Boy Scouts of America. 1993.

Selected for inclusion Dictionary of International Biography, 23rd ed. 1993.

Partnership Award. Baker University & Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. Apr. 1993.

National Wetlands Conservation Award, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Apr. 1993.

Selected for inclusion in Who's Who in American Education, 1993.

Featured on Sunflower Journeys TV program. Topic: Kansas Wetlands Successes.

Environmental Service Award, Jayhawk Audubon Soc., Lawrence. Oct. 1995.

Outstanding Faculty Award, Baker University Alumni Association. May 1996.

Alumnus of the Year, Zeta Chi Fraternity. May 1996.

Featured in “Wetland Roadblock.” Article in Jan-Feb 1998 Audubon Magazine.

Water Conservationist of the Year, KS Wildlife Federation, April 1998.

Featured on “Young America Outdoors” program on Least Tern work at Jeffrey Energy Center. Aired on several PBS stations beginning July 1998.

Featured in “Nightjars.”  Article in Summer 2000 Smithsonian Magazine.

Achievement Award, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, USGS, Award for conducting Breeding Bird Surveys for USFW Service for 20 years. December 2001.

Service Award Citation, 25 Years. Baker University. Sept. 2001.

Selected for inclusion in Who's Who in America’s Teachers, 2002.

Guest Lectureship at Harlaxton College, England, Aug.-Dec. 2002. Courses taught: Field Botany, Environmental Science, and Human Genetics and Society.

Exemplary Teaching Award, General Board of Higher Education and the Ministry of the United Methodist Church, 2004-05.

Wildcat Extreme Professor, Baker University, 23 Feb. 2005.

Service Award, Kansas Water Authority, 1997-2005.

Committees Served on at Baker University

Teacher Education: 1976-1983, 1987-1988, 2003-2005

Educational Programs: 1982-1985, 1987-1996

Faculty Advisory to Pres.: 1982-1983

Computer Program: 1979-1980

Task Force, NCATE Self Study: 1978-1979

Univ. Energy Conservation: 1980-1982

Facility Utilization (Chrmn): 1985-1986

Promotion and Compensation (Chrmn): 1985-1987

Fringe Benefits (Chrmn): 1986-1988

Chairman, Science Division: 1987-1996

Trustee, Kansas Educational Assoc. of the Methodist Episcopal Church: 1987-1988

Faculty Enrollment Management: 1987-1996

Commission on Gen. Ed. & Lib. Arts: 1990-1994

University Academic Council: 1996-1998

Nursing Program Committee: 1990-2005

Faculty Senate, College Arts & Sc.: 1996-2002

Faculty Development & Evaluation: 2001-2004

Various Searches for Faculty, President, Admissions Director etc.

Reunion Co-Chair with Jan Boyd for the 30-yr. Baker Class Reunion: 1998-1999

Heart of the University Campaign, Internal Campaign Co-Chair: 1999-2001

Successful at receiving 100% support from CAS Faculty and Staff.

Strategic Planning Leadership Team: 2003-2004

Honorary Degree Selection Committee: 2004-present

Faculty Hall of Fame Selection Committee: 2003-2007

Resource Conservation Committee: 2007-present

Scientific Consultation

Black & Veatch and City of Lawrence, Site Determination for Wakarusa Waste Water Treatment Plan.

US Fish & Wildlife Service and USACE, Population Management of Least Terns at Quivira NWR and along the Kansas River.

Western Resources, Population Management of Least Terns at Jeffrey Energy Center.

Environmental Solutions, Inc., Mitigation for the South Lawrence Trafficway.

Douglas County Public Works for Ivan Boyd Prairie preserve and South Lawrence Trafficway Mitigation.

City of Lawrence Parks and Recreation for the Mary’s Lake Prairie Park.

Kansas Biological Survey, various ornithology and wetlands issues.

KSU Geographic Analysis Project, expertise in ornithology.

Assessment Team for Biology, Chemistry, Math at Ottawa Univ., May 1997.

Consultant on innumerable natural history and landscaping questions for the Baker and Baldwin communities.

Community Service

Baldwin City Tree Board, Founding member and President 2003-present

Baldwin Bird Club, Pres. and V. Pres. ongoing

Baldwin City Cemetery Board, V. Pres.

Jayhawk Audubon Chapter (numerous events and offices)

Webelos Den Leader 1986-1988

Cubmaster, Baldwin Cub Scouts 1988-1994

Baldwin Boy Scouts, Asst. Scoutmaster 1992-2006

Committee Chair 2007-present

Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor

Board of Directors for Baldwin City Cemetery Co. 1990 present (V. Pres.)

United Methodist Church, various events

Tauy Creek Watershed Water Quality Task Force. 1992-1993

Kansas Water Authority member, Appointed by Gov. Graves July 1997 thru Apr 2005

Educ. Chair, 1999; Planning Chair, 2000, Research & Dev. Chair, 2001

ECO2 – City/County appointment 2007-present

Recent Presentations, Workshops & Seminars

Coordinate the Annual Baker Wetlands Field Day 1992-2002.

“Update on the Breeding Status of the Least Tern in Kansas,” KOS Fall Meeting, Oct. 1998.

“Peru: From the Amazon to the Andes.” KU Univ. Forum Feb.1997;  Audubon Chapters: KC - Sept., KSU - Oct., Wichita - Nov. 1997, Lawrence - Oct. 1998, Salina - March, 1999.

“Using Wetlands to Teach Environmental Education.” Presented to USD 348, May 1998.

Inter-Tribal Wetlands Workshop for Prairie Band of Pottawatomie Tribe, Sept. 1998.

“Expedition to Paraguay,” Dept. Ecology and Evolution, Univ. KS, Dec 2000.

“Natural History of South America,”  Baldwin Bird Club, Jan 2001, Earth We Are, Feb 2001, KS Ornithological Soc. Banquet, Oct. 2001.

“Birdwatching in Bolivia,” KU Museum of Natural History, July 2001, Baldwin Bird Club, Feb 2002, Jayhawk Aud., March 2002, Burroughs Audubon of Greater K.C. Feb 2003.

“Birding in England” Baldwin Bird Club & Jayhawk Audubon, April 2003, AAUW, Baldwin Chapter, Sept 2003; Burroughs Audubon of Greater K.C. Oct 2003, Wichita Audubon, Feb 2004.

“Wildflowers of Prairie and Garden,” Leavenworth Co. on Aging & Senior Services, June 2003.

“Birding in Spain,” Baldwin Bird Club, Nov 2003.

“Endangered Bird Research along the Kansas River,” Baker Univ. Faculty Forum, Feb 2004 and ESU graduate seminar, Aug. 2007.

“Birds of the Ecuador Highlands,” Baldwin Bird Club, March 2005.

“Birds of the Galapagos Islands,” Baldwin Bird Club, April 2005.

“Birds of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands,” Jayhawk Audubon Soc. April 2005 and Salina Audubon May 2007.

“Expedition to China,” Burroughs Audubon, Feb. 2007, Salina Audubon Nov. 2007, Topeka Audubon, Jan 2008.

“Birds of Southern Ecuador,” Baldwin Bird Club, February 2007.

“Kansas Birds:Flint Hills in Flight,” KS Mission Historical Museum, Council Groves, Feb. 2007, Baldwin Bird Club Sept. 2007, ESU Elderhostel Program, April 2008.

“Birds of Northern Peru,” Baldwin Bird Club, April 2008, KU Ornithology Forum, May 2008.

Scientific Publications

More than 80 articles and notes have been published since 1971. Only those published since 2000 are listed here.

Boyd, R.L. and Norma Gallegos.  2000.  Final Report on Least Tern (Sterna antillarum) and Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) Surveys Along the Kansas River – 2000.”  Technical Report for U. S. Army Corps of Engineers

Boyd, R.L. 2001. New distributional records of two tanagers in Mexico. Cotinga. 15:58-59

Boyd, R.L. and Julie Vosilus. 2001. Least Tern and Piping Plover Surveys On the Kansas River: 2001 Breeding Season.” Technical Report for U. S. Army Corps of Engineers

Cink, C.L. and R.L. Boyd. 2002. The Winter Bird Count for 2001. KS Ornith. Soc. Bulletin 53:1-20.

Boyd, R.L., and Natasha Thomas. 2002. Least Tern and Piping Plover Surveys On the Kansas River: 2002 Breeding Season.”  Technical Report for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Highfill, K.M. and R.L. Boyd. 2002. Successful Nesting by Barn Owls in a Nesting Box in the  Baker Wetlands, Lawrence, Kansas. KS Ornith. Soc. Bulletin 53:33-36.

Cink, C.L. and R.L. Boyd. 2003. The Winter Bird Count for 2002.  KS Ornith. Soc. Bulletin 54:1-20.

Boyd, R.L., and Mathew Sexson. 2003. Least Tern and Piping Plover Surveys On the Kansas River: 2003 Breeding Season.” Technical Report for U. S. Army Corps of Engineers

Cink, C.L. and R.L. Boyd. 2004. The Winter Bird Count for 2003. KS Ornith. Soc. Bulletin 55:1-20.

Boyd, R.L., and Jason Patty. 2004. Least Tern and Piping Plover Surveys On the Kansas River: 2004 Breeding Season.” Technical Report for U. S. Army Corps of Engineers

Boyd, R.L., and Mathew Sexson. 2004. Reproductive Success of Least Terns and Piping Plovers on the Kansas River. In press. Proceedings: The Missouri River and its tributaries: piping plover and least tern symposium. Higgins, K.F., C. Fischer, and C. Kruse ed. South Dakota State Univ., Brookings. 

Boyd, R.L., 2004. Twenty-five Year Index. KS Ornith. Soc. Bulletin  55:30-55

Cink, C.L. and R.L. Boyd. 2005. The Winter Bird Count for 2004. KS Ornith. Soc. Bulletin 56:1-20.

Boyd, R.L. 2005. Interior Least Tern Aerial Survey On the Cimarron, South Canadian, and Upper Red River Drainages in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas.”  Technical Report for U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Oklahoma Division of Wildlife Conservation. 31 pp.

Cink, C.L. and R.L. Boyd. 2006. The Winter Bird Count for 2005.  KS Ornith. Soc. Bulletin 57:1-20.

Boyd, R.L., and Jordan Olsen. 2006. Least Tern and Piping Plover Surveys On the Kansas River: 2005 Breeding Season.”  Technical Report for U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. 32 pp.

Cink, C.L. and R.L. Boyd. 2007. The Winter Bird Count for 2006.  KS Ornith. Soc. Bulletin 58:1-20.

Boyd, R.L.; Á.S. Nyári; B.W. Benz; G. Chen. 2008. Aves, province of Guizhou, China. Check List 4(2):107-114. http://www.checklist.org.br/toc