Ornithologist Jack Dumbacher Named a Patterson Scholar at California Academy of Sciences

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (May 2, 2024) — The California Academy of Sciences is pleased to announce that Curator of Birds and Mammals Jack Dumbacher, PhD, has been appointed as one of five Patterson Scholars in Science and Sustainability. The honor recognizes Dumbacher’s many scientific contributions, including documenting and studying rare poisonous birds; multiyear research on biodiversity’s impact on Sierra forest wildfire resilience; and working with a team of scientists to rewild islands in the Galápagos.

Named in honor of the late William J. Patterson, chair of the Academy’s Board of Trustees from 2007 to 2010, Patterson Scholars are committed to exploring the natural world, advancing the regeneration of ecosystems and people’s connection to nature, and inspiring the next generation of scientists through visionary leadership and bold scientific investigations. Patterson Scholars hold endowed chairs at the Academy, with funds made possible by friends, family, and colleagues in memory of its namesake.

“It’s a real honor to be a Patterson Scholar at the Academy, and these endowments are so crucial for ensuring the continuity of collections care and research,” Dumbacher said. “It is especially reassuring to have this support for my ongoing research in the Galápagos, on forest resilience in California, and for developing rewilding and resilience practices to the many natural areas we work in.”

“Jack represents everything it means to be a Patterson Scholar. He pairs his scientific leadership in avian evolution and ecology with critical partnership-building to effectively make change on the ground,” said Academy Dean of Science Shannon Bennett, PhD. “Anyone who has taken his Master Birder Program or heard him speak publicly knows what an inspiring teacher he is! I look forward to Jack’s continued work to regenerate ecosystems in California, the Galápagos, and beyond.”

As curator of birds and mammals, Dumbacher has spent over two decades actively building and leveraging the Academy’s collections for research on the evolution, ecology, and distribution of animals around the world. Dumbacher’s research on the relationship between barred owls and spotted owls redefined forest conservation and species management practices in the Western United States. In collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service and Academy scientists Durrell Kapan and Peter Roopnarine, Dumbacher’s multi-year study of Sierra forest resilience revealed the importance of land management practices that promote biodiversity and regeneration. His notable discoveries include the first documentation and evolutionary study of poisonous birds from Papua New Guinea.

Most recently, Dumbacher has turned his focus to the eastern Pacific, leading a team of scientists from the Academy and the Galápagos in rewilding the Galápagos Islands. As the archipelago struggles to control the rising population of invasive species, Dumbacher’s team has worked to remove and mitigate the effects of invasives by harnessing collections and historic records to recreate past ecological communities. This work has been funded by the Global Environment Fund and Latin American Development Bank for four years, and involves partnerships with several local and international conservation organizations.

Dumbacher is also an extremely engaging teacher, science communicator, and trainer, successfully leading his renowned San Francisco Master Birder Program for students of all ages and backgrounds.