Deep into the majestic Grand Canyon the lively Colorado River flows. Here, 3 times a year, a team of scientists traverses the river on a mission to collect data about the unique ecosystem. Participating in this exciting research is fish ecologist, Lindsay Hansen.
Lindsay’s work focuses on the fish of the Colorado River and how the ecosystem impacts their growth rates. She specifically gathers data from the flannelmouth sucker, humpback chub, and bluehead sucker populations. After tagging them in the field, Lindsay works on analyzing and interpreting the data that was collected and comparing it to previous data. She also assists in research of non-native fish in the Colorado River. Her research allows us to gain a better understanding of how fish interact with their ecosystems.
Lindsay received her undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley in conservation studies with a minor in fine art. She then went to Miami University in Ohio for a master’s degree in biology and Northern Arizona University for a master’s degree in environmental science.
”“It’s really fun to be able to pick up a fish that was last caught 10 years ago and see how far it traveled.”
How do you hope your research will impact your community?
Lindsay has learned that generally, people know very little about the ecosystem of the Grand Canyon, and especially the aquatic ecosystem. As neighbors to the Grand Canyon, northern Arizona residents would benefit from understanding the unique environment, nurturing a sense of place and respect for the natural wonder. One way that Lindsay promotes awareness of this ecosystem is through her children’s book The Adventures of Franny the Flanny! She intends for this book to encourage kids to be curious about the surrounding natural world.
What got you interested in becoming a fish ecologist?
Throughout Lindsay’s education, she took a variety of field jobs and internships, always drawn to the study of freshwater moving rivers. Through her experiences like studying salmon at NOAA and being an instructor at an ocean institute, she found that what she was really passionate about was fish. She explains, “They are so diverse and extremely resilient, and I think each species has its own really unique and fun personality.”
”“Fish are so diverse and extremely resilient, and I think each species has its own really unique and fun personality.”
What is your favorite part of your research?
Lindsay’s favorite part of her job is going into the field, and while the work can be pretty intense spending most of their days and nights catching fish, it is incredibly rewarding. Lindsay shares, “It’s really fun to be able to pick up a fish that was last caught 10 years ago and see how far it traveled.”
The field work journey starts by rafting down the Colorado River to get to their field site. To catch the fish they use big hoop nets and begin the tagging process. They also use a process called electrofishing, where boats send a small current of electricity to the fish in the river. This “tickles” the fish, and allows the researchers to simply scoop them up. From there, they are tagged and measured.
She also loves field work because it allows her to enjoy the Grand Canyon, and remind her of her love for nature that led her to this field.
Board member, Adam Marsh, and lead paleontologist at Petrified National Forest, works with a team of scientists to uncover an approximately 300 million-year-old fossil skeleton discovered at Canyonlands National Park in Utah (June 2024)