AREAS OF EXPERTISE
• Wildlife Ecology:
o Bats, Amphibians, Mesocarnivores, Birds
• Environmental Physiology and Toxicology
• Conservation Biology
• Bioacoustics
• Statistical Analysis
EDUCATION
2023-present Doctor of Philosophy, Biology
University of Calgary
Thesis: Effects of environmental contaminants on bat health
Supervisor: Dr. Jan Ciborowski
2016 - 2018 Master of Science, Applied Science
Saint Mary’s University
Thesis: Combinations of Reproductive, Individual, and Weather Effects
Explain Torpor Patterns Among Female Little Brown Bats (Myotis lucifugus)
Supervisor: Dr. Hugh Broders
Co-supervisor: Dr. Anne Dalziel
2009 - 2013 Bachelor of Science, Zoology
University of Calgary
Geography research project: Assessment of methods for reef fish
biodiversity measures
Supervisor: Dr. Darren Sjogren
Zoology independent study: Urban coyote diet
Supervisor: Dr. Kathreen Ruckstuhl
Co-supervisor: Dr. Rob Longair
ACADEMIC, RESEARCH, & INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE
Jun. 2021 Owner/Wildlife Biologist
- Present Vespertine Ecological Ltd.
Developing and leading research projects
Managing species at risk and wildlife monitoring projects for First Nations and Mining clients
Completing wildlife surveys
Jun. 2022 Intermediate Biologist
- present DWB Consulting Ltd.
Leading bioacoustic data analysis for bats
Leading wildlife sweeps
Environmental monitoring
Mar. 2019 Intermediate Wildlife Biologist
- Jul. 2021 VAST Resource Solutions Inc.
Managed bat and amphibian inventory and monitoring projects
Completed wildlife surveys and habitat assessments
Performed bioacoustic analysis for bats and amphibians
Led statistical analysis including occupancy modelling
Nov. 2018 - Wildlife Biologist
Feb. 2019 Keefer Ecological Services Ltd.
Wrote reports for terrestrial wildlife (grizzly bear, wolverine, elk, and moose) valued component sections of an EIA
Developed wildlife management plans
May 2016 - Graduate Research Assistant
May 2018 Saint Mary’s University
Graduate researcher in Dr. Hugh Broder’s lab:
Developed and led research in ecophysiology and behaviour of bats in Newfoundland
Collected bat life history and invertebrate data for the lab
Presented results at a conference, government departments, and natural history societies
May - Sep. 2015, Biological Technician
Mar. - Apr. 2016 Western Ecosystems Technology Inc.
Led and assisted with species at risk surveys (bats and lesser prairie chickens)
Oct. - Nov. 2014, Bat Research Field Assistant
Oct. - Nov. 2015 University of Calgary
Assisted with a bat movement research project
Presented methods for tracking crevice-roosting bats at a scientific conference
Dec. 2014 - Bat Research Field Assistant
Mar. 2015 University of Regina
Assisted with a bat physiological ecology research project
Jun. - Aug. 2014 Ground Squirrel Research Field Assistant
University of Saskatchewan
Collected samples for genetic research in Columbian ground squirrels
Nov. 2013 - Carnivore Research Intern
Jun. 2014 Alberta Parks
Assisted with mesocarnivore and grizzly bear monitoring research
May - June 2013 Undergraduate Research Project
University of Calgary
Developed and led research examining reef fish biodiversity:
Assisted with mesocarnivore and grizzly bear monitoring research
May - Sep. 2012 Undergraduate Research Project
University of Calgary
Developed and led a research project evaluating coyote diet in urban areas of Calgary
Developed a reference set of mammalian hairs and protocol for identification
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2023-present Graduate Teaching Assistant, University of Calgary
2016 – 2018 Graduate Teaching Assistant, Saint Mary’s University
VOLUNTEERING
Oct. 2019 - Coordinator
May 2020 BC Bat Action Team
Coordinated monthly BC Bat Action Team meetings and managed email inquiries.
Feb. 2019 - Bat Ambassador
Sep. 2020 Kootenay Community Bat Project
Coordinated annual bat counts and bat week events, gave public presentations, assisted with social media outreach, and led educational outreach booths.
Sep. 2017 - Executive Team Member
May 2018 Biology and Environmental Applied Research Society (BEARS)
Saint Mary’s University
Coordinated and assisted with events and led discussions on scientific papers.
May 2009 - Volunteer
Jul. 2011 Calgary Zoo
Volunteered with animal care, education, and special events.
TRAINING & WORKSHOPS
Sep. - Oct. 2023 Teaching Assistant Readiness Program
Taylor Institute, University of Calgary
Apr. - May 2022 Bird Identification Workshop
Online
Vancouver Avian Research Centre
Feb. 2020 Occupancy Modelling
Revelstoke, BC
Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology
Sep. 2019 Joint AB BC Bat Working Group Meeting
Blue Lake, BC
BC Bat Action Team
Apr. 2017 Bat Conservation Workshop
Lamanai, Belize
Western Canada University
PUBLICATIONS
Besler, N. K., and H.G. Broders. 2019. Combinations of reproductive, individual, and weather effects best explain torpor patterns among female little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus). Journal of Ecology and Evolution 9: 5158-5171.
Reports
Besler, N. 2022. ʔaq̓am species at risk inventory: wetland restoration. Prepared for ʔaq̓am Community Lands & Natural Resources, December 2022.
VAST Resource Solutions Inc. and Vespertine Ecological. 2022. Bat acoustic monitoring Beaverdell Mine, Beaverdell BC. Prepared for Teck Coal Ltd., January 2022.
Besler, N. 2021. Bat monitoring and evaluation of wildlife habitat features guidelines: bat nursery roosts. Prepared for BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (MFLNRORD) and BC Timber Sales (BC TS), March 2021.
Besler, N. 2020. Creating a framework for evaluating bat-friendly communities. Prepared for The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, May 2021.
Isaac, LA., and Besler, N. 2020. The occurrence and distribution of amphibians in the Elk River Watershed, British Columbia, 2018 and 2019. Prepared for Teck Coal Ltd., November 2020.
Besler, N. 2020. Aquatic health: tissue collection and metals analysis. In Michel Coal Project Terrestrial Baseline Report. Sparwood BC. Prepared for North Coal Ltd., March 2020.
Besler, N. 2020. Amphibians. In Michel Coal Project Terrestrial Baseline Report. Prepared for North Coal Ltd., March 2020.
Isaac, LA., and Besler, N. 2020. Bats. In Michel Coal Project Terrestrial Baseline Report. Prepared for North Coal Ltd., March 2020.
Besler, N. 2019. Wildlife management plan: Horse Creek Silica Mine. Prepared for HiTest Sand Inc., January 2019.
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
*Besler, N. K. 2022. Effects of pesticide use on bat health and ecology. Poster presentation at the Columbia Mountains Institute Annual Researchers’ Forum. October 17, Radium Hot Springs, BC, Canada.
*Besler, N. K. and H. G. Broders. 2017. Torpor use among female Myotis lucifugus in bat boxes in Newfoundland, Canada. Oral presentation at the North American Society for Bat Research Annual Symposium. October 19, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA.
Findlay, S. and *N. Besler. 2016. How do you track crevice-hibernating bats to their hibernacula? Poster presentation at the North American Society for Bat Research Annual Symposium. October 14, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
*Frey, S., J. Paczkowski, *S. Code, and N. Besler. 2015. An evaluation of wildlife cameras and scent lure as a mechanism to monitor bobcat in the Bow Valley near Canmore, Alberta. Oral presentation at the Alberta Chapter of the Wildlife Society Annual Conference. March 21, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
* indicates presenter
OTHER PRESENTATIONS
Public presentation - Torpor in Bats: An Energy Saving Strategy. Halifax Field Naturalists, Halifax, NS. November 2017.
Departmental talk - Thermoregulation and Roost Selection of Little Brown Bats in Newfoundland. Department of Fisheries and Land Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Corner Brook, NL. August 2017.
Public presentation - Life on the Edge: Little Brown Bats in Newfoundland. Salmonier Nature Park, Holyrood, NL. August 2017.
GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, & AWARDS
2024 - 2027 PGS - Doctoral
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)
2023 - 2025 Mitacs Inc.
Accelerate Entrepreneur Program
2020 Seed Grant
The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program
2016-2018 Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Fellowship
Saint Mary’s University
2017 Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Conference Travel Fund
Saint Mary’s University
2017 Vice-President and Academic Research International Mobility Award
Saint Mary’s University
2013 International Study Travel Grant
University of Calgary
2010 Jason Lang Scholarship
Alberta Student Aid
2009 Dean's Merit Admission Awards-Faculty of Science
University of Calgary
2009 University of Calgary Admission Scholarship
University of Calgary
2009 Alexander Rutherford Scholarship
Alberta Student Aid
Professional Designations & Memberships
Registered Professional Biologist, College of Applied Biology
CERTIFICATIONS
2023 WHMIS 2015: Environment, Health and Safety
2022 ATV Training Course: Canada Safety Council
2022 First Aid Level 1: WorkSafe BC
2014 Radio Operators Certificate: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada