Sunday Telegram features Project Squirrel, a research study by Noah Perlut's students

The Maine Sunday Telegram on Nov. 6, 2011 published a feature story on Project Squirrel, a research study on gray squirrels being conducted by UNE undergraduate students under the direction of Noah Purlut, assistant professor of environmental studies. Two years ago with a $2,000 grant, students began tracking squirrels with ear tags and radio collars.

Although the gray squirrel is part of everyday life in Maine, little research has been done on the animals. The body size and range and the life span of gray squirrels are all unknown, Perlut said. He’d love for his students to be the first to figure out the average- age of these critters.

Danielle Behn '13, an environmental science major, said she has gone out three days a week for the past two months and never gets tired of tracking squirrels. She has been working with Cory French ’12, also an environmental sciences major. The students now are recruiting their neighbors to report squirrels with colored ear tags on the website.

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible, accredited online degrees. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.