Caleb Counter’s Capstone Thesis
Rae Milstead | April 6, 2023
Caleb Counter is a graduating senior of the class of 2023 and is graduating with a B.S. in environmental science with a concentration in forestry.
Counter is a member of the Forestry Crew at Warren Wilson College (WWC) and loves camping, mountain biking and sky diving.
Counter’s thesis and research were focused on the interactions between two mammals, the American Pika and the Yellow-Bellied Marmot, in the Rocky Mountains. They analyzed data on behaviors and frequencies of these mammals from pictures and videos captured along trails using trail cameras. Although Counter could not conclusively prove a statistically significant relationship between the mammals studied, their studies did reveal some interesting behaviors that could potentially make for important future studies.
In reflection on their research, Counter says “As someone in a forestry concentration, I haven’t had a lot of time spend studying mammals. I’ve learned so much about animal behavior, and I am very happy that I had the opportunity to explore more outside of my concentration.”
Counter hopes to begin working as a wildland firefighter and pursue their dream of being a smokejumper after they graduate.