Demetri Lafkas
Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States of
America
Master's in wildlife biology, ornithology
expert.
Experience
GEI Consultants
Wildlife Biologist / October, 2021 —
May, 2024
I completed wildlife surveys
for state and federal
endangered species, from bats
and birds to butterflies. I
wrote reports and completed
environmental reviews for
clients.
University of Wisconsin - Green
Bay
Research Assistant / May, 2018 —
December, 2021
Avian Crew Leader for GLCWS
(anuran coastal wetland
surveys). Trained crew
members, field preparation.
Piping plover research. Data
management. Waterfowl surveys.
Piscivorous bird surveys,
cormorant assist with banding,
process, and releasing.
West, Inc
Biological Science
Technician / August, 2016 —
November, 2021
Various duties: Bird and bat
post-construction mortality
surveys at wind turbines.
Collection of dead bats.
Raptor Nest Surveys and avian
point counts. Aerial and
aquatic Surveys. BBCU survey.
Bat meter installation.
Wisconsin Society for
Ornithology
Breeding Bird Atlaser / June, 2016 —
August, 2019
Conducted a complete inventory
on all avian species located
within a given area in
northeast Wisconsin. Then
confirmed through breeding
status through a variety of
factors.
The Research Corporation of the
University of Hawai'i
Field Assistant / April, 2017 —
December, 2017
Conduct nocturnal surveys of
seabirds using night vision
technology. Distribute and
maintain song meters
throughout the island.
Backcountry camping in order
to work near remote nesting
sites. Enter and manage data.
Assist in constructing field
equipment, laser etc.
Inventory field equipment,
maintain vehicles.
University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign
Field Biologist / February, 2014 —
June, 2016
· Conducted avian point counts
by sight and sound, located
points using GPS and followed
a strict protocol · Monitored
golden-cheek warblers at Fort
Hood Army base · Performed
target mist-netting as well as
group netting · Performed nest
searchers and nest checks
daily, recorded nest locations
as well as individual bird
locations with GPS · Resighted
as well as color banded
Golden-cheeked warblers · Used
a 4x4 pick-up to get around
study site, which was rough
terrain in Texas hill country
San Diego Zoo Wildlife
Alliance
Research Associate / April, 2015 —
August, 2015
Monitored reproductive success
of Least Terns and Snowy
Plovers at Camp Pendleton
Marine Corps Base. Worked and
communicated effectively as
part of a team with my field
crew and IWS predator control
as well as the Marine Base
game wardens. Surveyed for
nests via grid-searching for
both species, constructed
chick pens.· Collected and
recorded data on nests, human
disturbances, broods,
predators, and mortalities,
collected abandoned eggs for
necropsies. Captured, weighed,
measured, and banded both tern
and plover chicks with FWS
bands. Public outreach with
beachgoers in the area
Normandeau Associates, Inc.
Environmental
Technician / August, 2014 —
November, 2014
Conduct bird and bat mortality
surveys walking transects
under wind turbines. Performed
searcher efficiency trials as
well as carcass scavenger
trials. Collect data such as
temp, wind direction, species,
photograph, coordinates,
distance from turbine, and
angle from turbine.
UPPER PENINSULA LAND
CONSERVANCY
Plover Monitor / May, 2011 —
August, 2014
Surveyed beaches for piping
plovers and their nests ·
Collected seasonal data such
as fledge date, hatch date,
departure date and band
combinations · Monitored
plovers and their nests to
keep away natural predators,
humans, and dogs from
disturbing or harming them,
watched for nest abandonment ·
Conducted public outreach
regarding plovers whereabouts,
biology, status, and safety
measures · Constructed nest
enclosures, full size,
mid-size, and minis · Led
teams in set-ups of enclosures
following strict protocols ·
Acted as site coordinator in
Gulliver in obtaining and
scheduling volunteers and
assistants · Assisted in
capturing, setting bands,
holding, and releasing chicks
· Put up fences and signs
where necessary · Wrote end of
season report
Research Expertise
Conservation Biology, Ornithology,
Mammalogy, Behavioral Ecology,
Wildlife Biology
About
Demetri Lafkas is a conservation
wildlife biologist with 13 years
professional experience and also an
avid birder and ornithology expert
with 18 years experience. He also
enjoys music, guitar, reading,
psychology, and film. In his free time
he can be found birding, being a
father, or film making from acting to
camerawork. Lafkas received his
Masters in Biology and Environmental
Policy from UWGB and his Bachelors of
Science in Biology/Ecology from NMU.