Joseph Richards wins Donald H. Rusch Memorial Game Bird Scholarship

The Wildlife Society has awarded Joseph Richards, a graduate research assistant in the Natural Resources Management Department at Texas Tech University, the Donald H. Rusch Memorial Game Bird Research Scholarship. The scholarship honors Donald H. Rusch’s memory and continues his legacy by contributing to graduate studies of upland game bird or waterfowl biology and management.

“I am honored to be selected to join the prestigious list of past recipients for the Donald H. Rusch Memorial Game Bird Research Scholarship,” Richards said. “This is a highly competitive award, and I hope it can be a step in my early career that leads to conversations about holistic research that simultaneously benefits the long-term sustainability of game and nongame species.”

For Richard’s master’s research, he is quantifying invertebrates available for foraging by Rio Grande wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia) in Texas’ Edwards Plateau.

“I have witnessed firsthand his unwavering commitment to wildlife management, conservation and public education,” wrote Blake Grisham, associate professor of wildlife management at Texas Tech University, in a nomination letter for Richards. “His research will provide significant insights and contributions in our understanding of the abundance and diversity of invertebrates as food sources for Rio Grande wild turkeys in the Texas Hill Country, research that is pivotal for conservation strategies in Texas.”

Richards, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from Texas A&M University with a double major in Entomology, has demonstrated his commitment to the mission of The Wildlife Society as a past president of the Texas A&M Student Chapter of The Wildlife Society and as a current TWS member.

“I believe TWS is exceptional in its mission to equip young wildlife professionals with the tools to be successful: conferences, virtual workshops, the Journal of Wildlife Management, The Wildlife Professional magazine, certification programs and much more,” Richards said. “Being an active member is an integral part of my future career, and working with a cohort of dedicated professionals will continue to inform the way in which I learn, lead and achieve my goals.”

Richards has held internships with the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Oklahoma State University, and traveled to South Africa in 2022 for a wildlife student experience. His participation in multiple research projects among these agencies has significantly influenced his career path and expanded his skillset, he said.

Richards, an avid wildlife and outdoor photographer, has donated canvas prints of his photos for the Texas Chapter’s annual fundraisers and has presented to students and professionals on outdoor photography during the chapter’s annual conference.

“After graduating with my M.S., I plan to apply with a state agency or in the private sector as a full-time consulting wildlife biologist,” Richards said. “Also, as a passionate outdoor writer and photographer, I intend to incorporate writing and photography into my future career as a communicator and advocate for conservation and management of our natural resources.”