CLaWS

The CLaWS project at LaMotte School was established by David Christianson and uses remotely placed motion sensitive cameras to take pictures of wildlife.  Click the CLaWS image gallery link to see all images from this project.

Click the following links to a listing of images by Specific Project and Team combinations.

• Study 1 - Team A
• Study 1 - Team B
• Study 1 - Team C
• Study 1 - Team D
• Study 1 - Team E
• Study 1 - Team F 

• Study 2 - Team A
• Study 2 - Team B
• Study 2 - Team C
• Study 2 - Team D
• Study 2 - Team E
• Study 2 - Team F
  

• Study 3 - Team A
• Study 3 - Team B
• Study 3 - Team C
• Study 3 - Team D
• Study 3 - Team E
• Study 3 - Team F
  

David Christianson Bio

I was born and raised in Glasgow, Montana, a small farming and ranching community in the northeastern, flat part of the state. In a world facing rapid development and exponential population growth, my appreciation for this humble background. The wide open spaces, unique blend of ecosystems, and large tracts of public land instilled in me early on a sense of place and appreciation for the natural world.

This interest in the natural world continues to this day. I appreciate all forms of outdoor recreation though some of these may seem at odds with one another, for example, I appreciate bird-watching yet I readily anticipate the beginning of the bird-hunting season. Hiking, boating, fishing, hunting, and camping all allow me opportunities to appreciate nature in diverse ways. By far, my most coveted past-time is sitting on some desolate ridge top with a spotting scope and binoculars, watching nature pass another day away.

This passion and interest on many different levels of the natural world is largely responsible for my current position as a GK-12 fellow. No animal typifies the feeling of wild nature (stochastic, unpredictable, dependent on large areas and many trophic levels, raw and unforgiving) like the wolf. I am fortunate to be able to spend several years of my life uncovering just some of nuances within wolf ecology. Specifically, I am currently studying how wolves may affect the behavior and nutrition of their primary prey, the elk. This special opportunity highlights for me the importance of sharing my experiences with society. Interacting with small rural schools is a great way to capitalize on my experiences studying wolves and elk so that students and teachers may enjoy an enhanced learning experience.