Omaha's Growing Black Squirrel Population Becomes National Focus
Flatwater Free Press explores UNO professor James Wilson's 15-year study of urban squirrels and its growing impact on wildlife research.
- published: 2025/01/22
- contact: Bella Lockwood-Watson - Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications
- email: unonews@unomaha.edu
Flatwater Free Press recently highlighted University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) professor James Wilson’s 15-year tradition of studying Omaha's squirrel population. As part of his mammalogy class, Wilson engages students in an annual census that delves into the genetics and ecology of the growing black squirrel population. This hands-on fieldwork has gained national attention and become a cornerstone of wildlife science at UNO.
Wilson’s research also explores the potential thermal advantages black squirrels may have in the winter, contributing to a growing body of knowledge about urban squirrels. The project provides students with meaningful opportunities to contribute to local wildlife studies while examining how humans interact with these creatures in urban environments.
The story’s reach extended far beyond Nebraska, with national publications including U.S. News & World Report and the Associated Press News sharing the research findings.
For a deeper dive into how Omaha became a hub for black squirrel scholarship, read the full story from Flatwater Free Press, or find coverage in U.S. News, the Associated Press, and the Omaha World-Herald.
Read the full article on Flatwater Free Press
Read more on U.S. News
Learn more via AP News
Read the Omaha World-Herald coverage
About the University of Nebraska at Omaha
The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraska’s premier metropolitan university, committed to innovating for the public good, advancing social mobility, powering workforce development, and serving as a hub for community engagement. Nearly 15,000 Mavericks choose UNO for its hands-on education experiences, nationally ranked online and graduate programs, military-connected student support, and innovative approaches to supporting lifelong learning. UNO holds the Carnegie Research Activity “R2” designation, securing more than $40 million annually in external research funding and counts its faculty among the world’s most cited scholars. Sixteen Omaha Athletics programs compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Summit League and National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC).
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