What is it?
The Houston Urban Wildlife Project (HUWP) is a program that was born around 2000 when collaborating on a project with colleagues from Rice University regarding the effect of bayou channelization upon urban avian diversity. What has taken place since is a diverse array of urban wildlife projects, primarily research. Coordinated by Daniel Brooks, Ph.D. the bulk of these studies focuses upon: invasive and aquatic birds, as well as Free-tailed bats (Tadarida mexicanus) and carnivores (see below).
Why is this important?
There are many species of animals that we share our neighborhoods with. Not only is documentation of urban wildlife interesting, but their interactions with urban environments, as well as other species within those environments, is compelling. Publishing articles about urban wildlife here in the Bayou city divulges the manner in which certain species are able to adapt and thrive despite their strange new habitat (considering deep time). Simply put – urban wildlife research promotes keeping biodiversity and ecosystem function intact, while fomenting positive associations between people and wildlife.
