Dakota Vaccaro
- Wildlife biologist and photographer with over 9 years of experience. Emphasis on international research, habitat conservation of threatened and endangered species, and education outreach.
Contact Information
- Please direct all business and personal communications to the following email address: [email protected]- All pictures are available for sale as prints. Custom sizes available. Email for more information and specific prices.- Common Print Sizes & Prices (Including Shipping)
- 6 x 4in = $4.00
- 9 x 6in = $12.00
- 12 x 8in = $26.00
- 15 x 10in = $35.00
- 18 x 12in = $46.00
- 24 x 16in = $72.00
- 30 x 20in = $82.00
Dakota Vaccaro
- Wildlife biologist and photographer with over 9 years of experience. Emphasis on international research, habitat conservation of threatened and endangered species, and educational outreach.
- I'm a 26 year old wildlife biologist who's worked on various research projects throughout the United States and internationally in Kenya. I've always had a passion for studying wildlife! I mainly work with mammals and bird, and like to create social media content that promotes environmental education.- In 2019, I graduated dean's list from the University of Montana with a bachelors in wildlife biology. In 2023, I received my Masters of Science in biology from Western Kentucky University. My thesis focused on the impacts of elephant habitat disturbance on other bird and mammal species in Kenya.- In my spare time, you can find me outdoors, camera in hand. I'm a self taught wildlife/nature photographer and aspiring drone cinematographer. When I'm not taking pictures I enjoy paddleboarding, cooking/baking, hiking, and exploring national parks.
Featured Pictures
- All pictures are available for sale as prints. Custom sizes available. Email for more information and specific prices.
Dakota Vaccaro
- Wildlife biologist and photographer with over 9 years of experience. Emphasis on international research, habitat conservation of threatened and endangered species, and education outreach.
Education
o MSc Biology 2023 - Western Kentucky University - 4.0 GPA
o BS Wildlife Biology 2019 - The University of Montana - 3.93 GPA
Research/Field Experience
o Mammalogy
- Camera trapping
- Distance sampling driving transects
- VHF radio telemetry
- Wildlife rehabilitation - administering medications, handling, captureo Ornithology
- Passerine bird banding: mist nets, color banding, extracted 2200 birds, banded 2000 birds
- Morphological data collection: wing chord, sex, age, other physical characteristics
- Biological sample collection: feathers, blood, feces
- Point-count and visual surveys: nest searching, re-sighting color banded birds, breeding bird surveys
- Transmitter attachmento Botany
- Elephant vegetation damage assessments
- Vegetation strip + plot sampling
- Daubenmire frame
- Densiometer canopy sampling
- Robel pole visual obstruction sampling
- Plant identification
Other Skills
o ArcGIS + qGIS
o R
o Adobe Photoshop + Lightroom
o eMammal
o Basecamp
o Web design + social media
Awards, Grants and Scholarship
o International Comedy Wildlife Photography - Highly Commended Award - 2023
o WKU Quick-time-turn-around Grant - 2022
o Raptor Research Foundation Research Grant - 2022
o American Society of Mammologists Research Grant - 2022
o Outstanding First Year Graduate Student Awards – 2022
o Animal Behavior Society Research Grant – 2022
o WKU Graduate Research Fellowship – 2021
o University of Montana Conference for Undergraduate Research - Best Life Science Poster Presentation - 2019
o Irene Evers Research Scholarship – 2018
o Phillip L. Wright Memorial Research Award – 2018
o ASUM Research Scholarship – 2018
o GLI Research Scholarship – 2018
o DHC Undergraduate Research Scholarship – 2018
o Wesley M. Dixon Memorial Scholarship – 2015, 2017, 2018
o Burchenal Leadership Scholarship – 2016
o MUS Honors Scholarship – 2015 – 2019
Research Presentations
o Western Kentucky University Scholar Showcase - Poster Presentation
o University of Montana Conference for Undergraduate Research - Poster Presentation
o National Elk Refuge – Mountain bluebird research talk
o Grand Teton National Park – Public mountain bluebird color banding demonstration
o The Bitterroot Audubon Society – Presented on undergraduate research
o Global Leadership Initiative – Presented on senior capstone project