SALISBURY — Vermont Fish & Wildlife Biologist Josh Blouin will give a PowerPoint presentation on “The Natural History and Challenges for Moose in Vermont” on Thursday, Jan. 9, at 7 p.m. His talk will be at the Salisbury Meeting House at 853 Maple Street in the center of Salisbury village.

Blouin grew up in Berlin, Vt., where he developed a deep connection to the outdoors and a passion for wildlife. He pursued his interest in the natural world at the University of Vermont, earning a Bachelor’s in Wildlife Biology. As an undergraduate, he began exploring wildlife ecology and management, which led him to spend several years out West studying a variety of species in diverse ecosystems.

In 2017, Blouin returned to Vermont to work on the state’s first moose research project, marking the beginning of his career with the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. After working in the field tracking moose for three years, Blouin returned to UVM for a master’s degree, where his research focused on understanding how moose interact with their environment, particularly with heavy parasite loads. Blouin was hired full-time by the department in 2021.

Today, Blouin’s work encompasses many things, including managing Wildlife Management Areas in central Vermont, reviewing Act 250 applications to assess the impacts of development on wildlife habitats, and supporting both the bear and moose projects.

In his talk, Blouin will provide an overview of moose ecology and research in Vermont. He will delve into the state’s moose GPS radio-collar project, highlighting the outcomes of this research. Attendees will learn about one of Vermont’s most charismatic animals, their history here in Vermont, and significant challenges to the population moving forward.

This presentation is part of the Salisbury Conservation Commission’s Thursday Series.  All talks are free and open to the public. Presentations generally last about an hour and questions are encouraged.