Christian Narby grew up in the small mountain town of Basalt, Colorado surrounded by public lands and abundant wildlife. Throughout his childhood, Narby developed a deep fascination with the natural world.
“As I grew older, I continued to learn about the challenges many ecosystems face locally and worldwide,” said Narby, a first-generation student who will graduate with a degree in fish, wildlife and conservation biology in the Warner College of Natural Resources on May 12.
His appreciation for the natural world was fostered by his father, which led Narby to pursue an undergraduate degree working to conserve ecosystems and the species that inhabit them.
“For as long as I can remember, I was fishing, hiking, climbing, camping, dirt-biking, snowboarding, and anything else I could convince my dad to do with me,” Narby said. “I could not be more thankful for my father and all the experiences he has given me. He instilled my constant curiosity for the natural world.”
In his time as a student, Narby used his curiosity to become extremely involved in the college. He was elected president of the Field Ornithologist club at Colorado State University during the first semester of his freshman year.
Starting his sophomore year, Narby was heavily involved in the Aeroecology Laboratory run by Kyle Horton, an assistant professor in the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology. Over the summer, Narby worked in the laboratory where he started a project involving quantifying the effects of wildfires on avian migratory stopover density in the Western United States. He presented the study’s findings to judges at the Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creativity, where he recieved high honors in research.
During the summer before his senior year, Narby started his first federal position as a wildlife technician for the Dixie National Forest in Exalanate, Utah. While exploring the extensive natural lands, Narby conducted surveys and collected data from various wildlife species.
During his last year at CSU, Narby got involved with the ENGAGE Scholar Peer Mentoring program and the CSU Colorado Water Center Student Fellowship. These programs allowed Narby to forward his educational experience without needing a full-time or part-time job.
Throughout his time at CSU, Narby has been awarded many honors and scholarships. Recently, he was named the top senior in the wildlife biology concentration. He was also awarded many scholarships: the Myron Born Ludlow Scholarship; the Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology Scholarship; the Oscar and Isabel Anderson Scholarship; the Philip A. Connolly Memorial Scholarship, the Aspen Thrift Shop Scholarship; and the Aspen Elks Scholarship.
“I am grateful for the financial support that these scholarships have provided, and I am committed to using them to further my academic and professional goals,” Narby said.
These awards showcase the passion Narby has for the conservation field and the determination he expresses to create change in the industry.
“Chrisitan is a natural and extremely dynamic leader,” said Liba Goldstein, a professor in the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology. “From my perspective he has thrived at CSU and CSU has thrived because he is a student here. He is widely respected and admired by his peers and professors for the 150 percent energy and effort he brings to every setting.”
In his own words
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I plan to work in seasonal wildlife technician positions and other non-permanent natural resource-related positions for a few years. I want to experience a wide array of agency, non-profit, and academic work to find where my efforts best align with workplace values. I am returning to Escalante to work for the forest service again. This position and the devoted nature of my supervisor allow me to explore my interests and build myself up professionally in a way I have not previously experienced. After I have explored different habitats and work destinations in the wildlife field, I plan on pursuing a master’s degree and, possibly, a Ph.D. I am particularly interested in the intersection of public land, wildlife, and livestock management, but I find it challenging to choose one area of ecology or wildlife biology to focus on.
Q: What was your favorite memory at the Warner College of Natural Resources?
A: My favorite memory while enrolled at Warner College occurred in Madera Canyon, Arizona. I was leading my first comprehensive multi-state birding trip with the club, and I was terrified. We found some excellent birds, but our target species was an Elegant Trogon. Elegant Trogons can only be seen in a couple of tiny pockets in the U.S. We spent all day silently hiking, looking for this bird, but we had no luck. We finished our day watching the hummingbird feeders at the visitor center, and I struck up a conversation with another birder who happened to be a retired high school teacher. She told us exactly where to find the trogon. That following day, we woke up at 3:00 a.m., drove two hours, got a flat tire, and were pulled over by border patrol, but we still managed to get to the chokecherry bush we were told to wait at by 7:00 a.m. Just as we discussed giving up and going home, a green and red flash came out of the trees, violently chasing a scrub jay. It perched on a low branch and investigated the huddle of gawking college students. We were all amazed at this bird’s vibrant colors and unique characteristics; honestly, I had butterflies in my stomach.
While the trip had some hiccups, such as flat tires, some fun moments stuck in a cactus, navigating a global pandemic, and ended with blizzards in New Mexico, it still is one of my fondest memories of my time in college, and I made many of my best friends on that trip.
Q: What will you miss most about CSU?
A: What I will miss most about CSU is the fantastic sense of community and the wonderful cohort of friends I see daily. I still see the friends I made on my first day and the many others I have made over my four years here.
Q: What advice do you have for incoming freshmen?
A: College is the easiest job you will ever have, and everywhere you look are opportunities to further your career, learn something amazing, or make a new friend. Do not let this opportunity slip through your fingers, do what you love, and do not look back. Take advantage of your resources like advisors, professors, and other students. Advisors and professors worked tirelessly to become faculty because they love engaging students and perpetuating their science into the future generation. Talk to them and ask them if you can participate in what they do!
