The University of California, Davis Wood Duck Nest Box Project, led by Dr. John Eadie, has played a vital role in supporting Wood Duck conservation through 26 years of research and hands-on student involvement. This project has contributed to the recovery of Wood Duck populations in California's Sacramento Valley while providing over 700 undergraduate student interns with practical field experience. Student filmmaker Edilyn Lazo documented the 2024 field season, focusing on the efforts of a monitoring intern crew and master's student Tenaya Russell. The resulting 12-minute film explores the impact of artificial nesting sites on Wood Duck conservation and highlights the intersection of research, student engagement, and wildlife preservation. In a 5-minute presentation preceding the screening, Edilyn will discuss the project's significance, its legacy of fostering student involvement in real-world conservation, and the collaborative student efforts behind the documentary's production.

Edilyn Lazo is a fourth-year undergraduate student at the University of California, Davis, pursuing degrees in Wildlife Conservation Biology and Cinema and Digital Media. She aims to merge these fields to contribute to scientific communication and promote future conservation initiatives. Her first production project, The Davis Wood Duckumentary, reflects her growing experience in directing, producing, editing, and cinematography. She has contributed to the Davis Wood Duck Nest Box project for two years, serving as a monitoring intern in her first year and taking on the role as a team leader in her second.