Skip to main content
UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences logo
Give      University of Florida
Resources
    Toggle Search Form
    GIVE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
    • HOME
    • About
          • About WEC
          • Message From The Chair
          • Department Overview
          • Seminars
          • WEC for ALL
          • Contact
          • Research
          • Conservation Biology
          • Spatial Ecology
          • Wildlife Conservation and Management
          • Wetland Ecology and Management
          • Human Dimensions In Wildlife Conservation
          • Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
          • Affiliated Programs
          • Florida Master Naturalist Program
          • CHeRI - Cervidae Health Research Initiative
          • Tropical Conservation and Development
          • Southern Cone Conservation Leadership Initiative
    • People
            • WEC Faculty
            • WEC Staff
            • WEC Graduate Students
            • WEC Around the World
    • Undergraduate Students
          • Admissions
          • Majors
          • Minor
          • Combined Degree Program
          • Degree Program Changes
          • Honors Programs
          • Forms
          • FAQs about UF Minors
          • Advising/Faculty Office Hours
          • Study Abroad Courses
          • Undergraduate Course Listing
          • Internship Opportunities
          • Student Organizations
          • Resources
          • Career Readiness
          • Explore WEC Careers
          • Academic Learning Compact
          • Computer Policy and Guidelines
          • WEC Alumni
    • Graduate Students
          • Admission Requirements
          • Application Process
          • Tuition, Fees, and Residency
          • Financial Aid and Fellowships
          • Certificates
          • Graduate Course Listing
          • Study Abroad Courses
          • Frequently Asked Questions
          • Graduate Handbook
          • Computer Policy & Guidelines
          • Job Opportunities
          • Online Resources
          • Student Organizations
          • Travel Grant Opportunities
          • Graduate Forms
          • PhD Student Timeline
          • MS *(Thesis) Student Timeline
          • MS *(Non-Thesis) Student Timeline
    • Resources
          • UFGO Travel Forms
          • UFGO PCard Forms
          • WEC Invoice Request
          • Fiscal Policy & Procedures
          • Personnel
          • Payroll
          • Application for Leave
          • Reporting a Work-Related Injury
          • Vehicles
          • Safety
          • Disaster Plan
          • IT / Computer Support
          • WEC Building Maps
    • Support WEC!

    Wildlife Ecology and Conservation department

    Wildlife Ecology and Conservation department

    Grant Sizemore - American Bird Conservancy

    In the United States, over a billion birds are killed by domestic cats each year. Grant Sizemore (WEC M.S. 2009) works for American Bird Conservancy, where he runs the Cats Indoors Program. American Bird Conservancy, based in Washington, D.C., was founded in 1994 and is now considered a national leader in conservation of native birds and their habitats. The goal of the Cats Indoors Program is to keep cats maintained indoors, since outdoor cats pose a significant threat to native bird species. Grant participates in many different types of outreach, including invited talks, bird walks, presentations at nature centers, public service announcements and periodic newsletters.

    One of the main problems with the issue is that many people are simply unaware of the ecological and public health impacts of outdoor cats,” says Grant. Citing Lowe et al., Grant states that the truth is, “domestic cats (Felis catus) are listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as one of the world’s worst non-native, invasive species throughout the world. “

    Grant was advised by Dr. Martin Main, who wrote that he “didn’t think [Grant] would be able to complete his thesis and graduate by December 2009 because we were on a challenging time schedule, but he proved me wrong[...]” Grant says he spent half of each year conducting field work in South Florida while earning his master’s degree at WEC. During this time, he became more aware of the “impacts of non-native species,” which he found to be “particularly pronounced in South Florida.” After earning his M.S., Grant began an internship with The Wildlife Society, where he was able to learn more about the ecological and public health impacts of outdoor domestic cats. “With the strong support of the CEO, Dr. Michael Hutchins, a couple of colleagues and I took the initiative to put together a series of fact sheets and arrange an event for interested scientists and managers to get together and discuss the conservation needs. I have been an advocate for keeping cats indoors ever since and was fortunate to be given the chance to lead ABC’s national program.”

    In addition to keeping domestic cats indoors, Grant cites many ways to help the bird species that are currently in decline. “These can vary in size and scale from putting decals on windows to prevent collisions to contacting your elected officials to support science-based policies and funding for conservation. The policy aspect, which many of us find frustrating, is a critical way to ensure support for birds and other taxa.”

    Grant explains, “I find avian conservation interesting because of the opportunities that exist. Birds are particularly unique because of people’s inherent fascination with flight and the relative ease with which people can observe a wide variety of species. As such, birds may present the best opportunity to interest the public in nature and conservation in their own backyards. Too often the public supports the need to protect large charismatic mammals in Africa without considering conservation in their own communities. Of course, let’s also not forget that they’re just little dinosaurs. That’s pretty cool.”

    Alumni From The WEC Undergraduate Program

    Undergraduate Students

    • Undergraduate Program Overview
    • Undergraduate Course Listing
    • Admissions
    • The Majors
    • The Minor
    • Combined Degree Program
    • Degree Program Changes
    • Honors Programs
    • Forms
    • FAQ's about UF Minors
    • Advising/Faculty Office Hours
    • Study Abroad Courses
    • Explore WEC Careers
    • Internship Opportunities
    • Student Organizations
    • Resources
    • Career Readiness
    • Academic Learning Compact
    • Computer Policy & Guidelines
    • Meet WEC Alumni
    University of Florida Logo
    Contact

    Feedback
    Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
    110 Newins-Ziegler Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611
    (352) 846-0643

    Land Grant Mission
    • Teaching
    • Research
    • Extension
    Information
    • Ask IFAS (EDIS)
    • UF/IFAS Experts
    • UF/IFAS Blogs
    • UF/IFAS Bookstore
    Policy
    • Accessible UF
    • EEO Statement
    • IFAS Web Policy
    • SSN & UF Privacy
    • Analytics (Google Privacy)

    © 2025 University of Florida, IFAS Last Modified:Tue, 21 Jun 2022 14:34:26 EDT