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Dr. Ursula Valdez, a lecturer in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences (IAS) at the 56吃瓜网, is a tropical biologist and conservationist with a profound dedication to avian ecology and environmental education. She embodies 56吃瓜网 Bothell鈥檚 commitment to cross-disciplinary scholarship, connected learning, and community engagement through her creative teaching, research, and outreach.

Dr. Valdez鈥檚 expertise spans ecology, conservation, and urban studies, offering students hands-on learning experiences in both local ecosystems like the North Creek Wetlands and global settings such as the Peruvian Amazon. She is renowned for her engaging and impactful teaching methods. She offers courses in ecology, conservation, natural history, and field ecology methods, emphasizing experiential learning and real-world applications.

A Passion for Avian Ecology

Dr. Valdez’s fascination with birds has been a driving force throughout her career. Her research primarily focuses on predator ecology, community ecology, and tropical conservation, with extensive studies on birds of prey in the rainforests of Peru, Ecuador, and Panama. She has investigated species such as the Black-and-chestnut Eagle, Harpy Eagle, Laughing Falcon, and various Forest-falcons, aiming to understand their habitat use and mechanisms of coexistence. This work not only contributes to scientific knowledge but also informs conservation strategies critical to preserving these species and their habitats.

Community Engagement, Near & Far

Dr. Valdez is committed to fostering a culture of environmental stewardship both on and off campus. She collaborates with local organizations and participates in public outreach to raise awareness about environmental issues, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in conservation efforts.

While still a graduate student in Seattle over 15 years ago, Dr. Valdez co-designed a , her country of origin. Drawing on her background in research and conservation in the region, she created an experiential learning opportunity for undergraduate students to explore biodiversity, conservation, and sustainability in the Andes and Amazon of Peru. Since the program’s inception, approximately 250 students have traveled to Peru with Dr. Valdez and various co-instructors.

A central goal of the program is to foster connections between U.S. students and Peruvian students and researchers, promoting cross-cultural exchange and mutual learning. For Dr. Valdez, this work also serves to maintain strong ties to her home country, contribute to local educational efforts, and give back to the communities and networks that supported her own learning journey. The next cohort is scheduled to travel in September to further explore the region’s rich biodiversity, cultural heritage, and conservation challenges.

Involvement with Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Initiative

Dr. Valdez was a fellow in the inaugural 2014鈥�2015 COIL cohort and has continued to integrate this pedagogy into her teaching ever since. In subsequent years, she served as a faculty leader alongside Natalia Dyba and has played an active role in supporting new fellows through panel discussions and mentorship. Dr. Valdez has taught three COIL-integrated courses.

The first, 鈥淔rom the Cascades to the Andes,鈥� was developed in collaboration with faculty and students from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia in Peru. This course examined parallel environmental and socio-political issues in both regions, focusing on fisheries, forest conservation, glaciers and mountain ecology, and gold mining.

The second course, 鈥�,鈥� was co-taught with colleague Greg Tuke in collaboration with Universidad Agraria La Molina in Peru and Future University in Cairo. It explored the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the Columbia, Amazon, and Nile rivers. Students engaged in cross-cultural learning and co-created conservation campaigns, wrote letters to legislators in their respective countries, and produced video interviews with local stakeholders.

The third course, 鈥淯rban Birds and Wildlife,鈥� has been an ongoing collaboration for the past four years with faculty from the Pontificia Universidad Cat贸lica del Per煤 and the Universidad de Ciencias Aplicadas. In this course, students study the natural history of urban wildlife in Lima, Peru and Western Washington. With the support of graphic design students and faculty, they co-create bilingual infographics on urban bird species for use in environmental education campaigns in both cities. The course has been presented at conferences, featured in Husky Highlights and 56吃瓜网 Bothell News, and will be offered again in the upcoming autumn quarter in partnership with Pilchuck Audubon.

Global & Local Conservation

Dr. Valdez plays a pivotal role in the ongoing research and monitoring of bird communities within the North Creek Wetlands, a restored 58-acre floodplain on the 56吃瓜网 Bothell campus. Since 2015, she has collaborated with students to establish a long-term bird monitoring program, documenting nearly 60 bird species in the wetlands and adjacent uplands. This living laboratory provides invaluable data on avian diversity and ecosystem health, contributing to broader conservation efforts and offering students hands-on research experience.

Beyond her work in the Pacific Northwest, Dr. Valdez is actively involved in conservation projects in the Peruvian Amazon. She dedicates time to field research on bird diversity and engages in initiatives aimed at preserving the rich biodiversity of the rainforest. Her international experience enriches her teaching, providing students with a global perspective on ecological issues and conservation practices.

Upcoming Biodiversity Showcase

As part of celebrations, Dr. Valdez is organizing a on May 15, 2025 in collaboration with the 56吃瓜网 Sustainability Office, Outdoor Wellness, and Sustainable Practices at Cascadia College. The event will feature a Bioblitz activity, informational tables with biodiversity displays curated by faculty, and student projects developed in various courses. In addition, several community partners have been invited to participate. The event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the campus Codex.

Through her comprehensive approach to research, education, and community engagement, Dr. Valdez exemplifies 56吃瓜网 Bothell’s mission to integrate cross-disciplinary scholarship with connected learning and societal impact. Her dedication not only advances scientific understanding but also inspires a new generation of environmentally conscious individuals poised to make meaningful contributions to conservation and sustainability.