Who is Jeff?

What have I done?

Jeff grew up on Long Age Bison Ranch in Maiden Rock, Wisconsin with his parents, Tom and Kris Martin. Jeff received his first bison, a heifer yearling, in 2002 and named her Gummy Bear. Since then, his family and herd have grown including his wife, Rachel, and their dog, Koda. Jeff and Rachel now have five producing cows. 

By training, I am a vertebrate paleontologist, geologist, geographer, and paleoecologist. I studied geology at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology before transferring to East Tennessee State University to complete my bachelor's degree. Then, I earned a master's degree in geosciences at ETSU. For my thesis research, I studied the history of bison at Grand Canyon National Park and the surrounding area.

What am I doing now?

I am a doctoral student at Texas A&M University. In my research, I like to think of things on long timescales from hundreds to tens of thousands of years. ​For my dissertation, I am studying the ecology, evolution, and adaptive capabilities of Bison by examining their bones and fossils.  My research includes Bison bison (modern bison), B. antiquus (ancient bison), B. occidentals (western bison), and B. latifrons (giant bison) and their evolution and relatedness to each other. A thorough understanding of bison’s pre-history is critical for sustainable management and conservation of the species. Because the past is a naturally completed experiment, we can use the fossil record to understand how bison adapt to changes in their environment and climate. In addition to the fossil record, I also need to study today's bison and their environments. ​The understanding of bison through time, including today, will help predict how bison may react to forthcoming abrupt climate changes. I hope to work with state, regional, and national bison associations, tribes, conservation agencies, and YOU to set conservation goals and protocols to mitigate Bison responses to climate and environmental change.

You can keep up with Jeff at his website and blog: www.bisonjeff.weebly.com.

Current Crew:

Rachel Martin - editor, vertebrate paleontologist, science educator,
Texas A&M University PhD Student (Ecosystem Science & Management)

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Past Crew:

Gloria Lima - photographer, morphologist, zoologist, University of Maine student 

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Chason Frost - photographer, sediment picker, botanist, University of Maine student

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Trevor Lessard - lab volunteer, environmental economist, University of Maine student

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