Avi Kertesz is experienced working in freshwater, estuarine, and marine environments. He is particularly interested in animal behavior, community ecology, salmonid biology, and human-wildlife interaction. Avi is comfortable employing a wide array of methods and equipment to survey, capture, identify, or handle wild birds, fish, and small mammal species. Avi is driven by his innate love of the natural world and a desire to expand our collective understanding of fish and wildlife populations so that we are better able to ensure their viability and persistence in an ever-changing world.

Having worked in challenging environments throughout his career, Avi places particular emphasis on sound decision making in the field: collecting quality data while ensuring the health and safety of all team members. Avi believes that personal connection is critical to successful conservation work and enjoys cooperating and collaborating with stakeholders to maintain good working relationships. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area and having attended UC Davis, Avi is both passionate and knowledgeable about the natural history and ecology of California fish and Wildlife.

Education: B.S., Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation Biology