Contact Information

Education

Ph.D. 1987 Forestry/Wildlife Clemson University

Dissertation: 'Impacts of natural and artificial regeneration of loblolly pine on small mammals in the South Carolina piedmont.'

M. S. 1982 Forestry/Wildlife Clemson University

Thesis: 'A comparison of two diet analysis techniques applied to white-tailed deer in coastal South Carolina.'

B. S. 1979 Fisheries/Wildlife Virginia Tech

Area of Specialization

Inventory and monitoring of non-game wildlife; wildlife damage management; wildlife service and outreach

Professional Experience

Vitae

Allegheny Woodrat (Neotoma magister)

Courses Taught

To view Syllabus, click on course name

• FORS 1100 Natural Resource Conservation
• FORS 4280/6280 Field Studies in Natural History
• FORS 4340/6340 Endangered Species Management
• FORS 4900/6900 Wildlife Damage Management
• FORS 4930/6930 Wildlife Ecology and Management for Teachers
• FORS 8300 Wildlife Seminar

Research Areas

Research focuses on natural history and ecology of woodrats (Allegheny and Key Largo); natural history and ecology of armadillo; inventory and monitoring of mammals; efficacy of deer repellents in landscapes.

Present Research Projects

Developing the theoretical and practical basis for using ecological pinciples in nonformal environmental education evaluation (January 2005 - December 2007) (USDA Forest Service).

Habitat characterization in hurricane impacted area of hardwood hammock of the Florida Keys (January 2005 - December 2007) (US Fish and Wildlife Service).

Mammal community survey at Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg, MS (January 2005 - June 2006) (National Park Service).

Food habits, bait acceptance and natural history of armadillo in South Georgia (September 2004 - August 2006) (Berryman Institute and Jones Ecological Center).

Extension Activities

Georgia Master Naturalist Program, State Coordinator. Locally based adult education program covers numerous aspects of natural resource conservation, use and current issues.

Click here for more information.

2004 Student Satisfaction Survey Report

POND MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP - Directions

POND MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP - AGENDA

Master Wildlifer, State Coordinator. Regional video course covering wildlife management. Offered bi-annually to more than 5000 landowners in 13 southeastern states. Click here for more information.

Author of numerous presentations covering many aspects of wildlife management, backyard wildlife, mammals of Georgia, nuisance wildlife, and invasive plants. Click here for more information.

Nursery Certification - Home Depot, Inc. "eLearning" program for garden center employees. Co-developed with UGA Cooperative Extension Service Horticulture Department.

Publications

Book Chapters

Mengak, M. T. 2004. Nuisance Wildlife. pages 387-415 in Georgia Master Gardener Handbook, Sixth Edition. M. T. Fonseca and K. L. Slagle, editors. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, CES Handbook 2.

Journals and Proceedings

Click here for a list.

Extension Publications

Mengak, M. T. 2004. Dealing with nuisance wildlife. Universtiy of Georgia, Cooperative Extension Service Bulletin No. 1248 pdf

Mengak, M. T. 2003. Copperhead. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, Natural History Series. Circular 866-1. pdf

Mengak, M. T. 2002. Chipmunk Control. University of Georgia, Cooperative Extension Service, Leaflet 246. pdf

Mengak, M. T. 2002. Snakes and their control. Universtiy of Georgia, Cooperative Extension Service, Leaflet 247. pdf

Mengak, M. T. 2002. Rats and Mice: Get them out of your house and yard. University of Georgia, Cooperative Extension Service, Leaflet 384. pdf

Web Publications

Wildlife Damage Management Series

• Dealing with Nuisance Wildlife

Wildlife Management Series

1. Food Plots - Common Plants
2. Milorganite and Soybeans
3. Milorganite and Ornamentals
4. Trapping Armadillos
5. Quail Nest Predators
6. Quail Habitat - Field Borders
7. Food Plots - Clover & Fescue - Coastal Plain
8. Food Plots - Clover & Fescue - Mountains

Natural History Series

• Copperhead
• Nine-banded Armadillo

PowerPoint Presentations

• Mammals of Georgia

Research Grants

2002 Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Summary of Ten years trapping results for Allegheny woodrat.

2001 Challenge Cost Share Grant from George Washington and Jefferson National Forests for the project "Results of Ten Years of Allegheny Woodrat Trapping in Southwest Virginia".

2000 Grant from American Electric Power Company to survey selected power line rights-of-way for nesting Golden-winged warblers.

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Graduate Students

Completed

Stephens, Odin Master of Science

Thesis: An evaluation of forage production and utilization by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginanus), and seasonal crude protein levels of three cool season forages in Georgia -Employer: USDA APHIS Wildlife Services Georgia

Rutledge, Holly Master of Science

Thesis: The use of ecological principles as the basis of a nonformal environmental education evaluation tool - Employer: Gwinett County School, High School Science

Stephens, Lief Master of Forest Resources - Employer: USDA APHIS Wildlife Services Georgia

Vigil, Stacey Master of Forest Resources - Employer: searching

Current Students

Gammons, Danny Master of Science

Thesis: Food habits, bait acceptence and natural history of the armadillo in South Florida.

Linehan, Jennifer Master of Science

Thesis: Mammal community survey at Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg, MS.

Winchester, Christopher Master of Science

Thesis: Ecology of the endangered Key Largo woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli).

Robinson, Talmedge Master of Forest Resources

Forrest, Janet Master of Forest Resources

Smith, Kathyrn Master of Forest Resources