Avery Tilley

Avery Tilley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine candidate at the University of Georgia, specializing in wildlife health and conservation medicine. A citizen of the Cherokee Nation, he holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Fisheries and Wildlife Management and Molecular Genetics and Genomics from Michigan State University. Tilley is committed to integrating Indigenous knowledge with veterinary medicine to support tribal nations in wildlife disease monitoring and management. His recent research includes investigating Echinococcus spp. prevalence in gray wolves with the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and evaluating alternative wolf immobilization protocols in collaboration with the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
Tilley was named an inaugural Braveheart Fellow by the Center for Native American Youth, a Darwin 200 Leader, and the first Native American National Geographic Young Explorer. He co-founded Natives in VetMed, the first 501(c)(3) nonprofit for Indigenous peoples in veterinary medicine. A dedicated advocate, he has championed tribal wildlife issues on national and international stages, serving as a panel moderator at the 2023 White House Tribal Youth Forum and as a delegate at the United Nations COP15 in Montreal. He currently serves as Chair-Elect of the Native Peoples Wildlife Management Working Group through The Wildlife Society and as a Youth Council member for Reserva: The Youth Land Trust. Tilley aspires to become the first tribal wildlife veterinarian, supporting tribes in wildlife disease monitoring and management across their historic lands.

LOCATION:	Valparaiso	AREA OF STUDY:	Feral dogs
NATIONALITY:	USA	SPONSOR:	Fundacion Kennedy
FILMMAKER:	Tom Dixon

START DATE:	4th March
END DATE:	18th March
LOCATION:	Valparaiso
END POINT:	USA

AREA OF STUDY:	Feral dogs
SPONSOR:	Fundacion Kennedy
FILMMAKER:	Tom Dixon

Area of Study: Feral Dogs

Chile’s wetlands are ecologically vital, supporting biodiversity and providing flood control and carbon storage. However, they face growing threats from urbanization, pollution, and increasingly, free-roaming and feral dogs. The Canine Conundrum in Chile’s Wetlands explores this emerging issue, with a focus on the urban wetlands of Algarrobo—El Membrillo and San Gerónimo—which serve as key habitats for migratory and resident birds. Dogs, often unleashed or abandoned, disrupt nesting sites, prey on birds, and degrade fragile ecosystems.

Community concern is rising, with conservation organizations like Fundación Kennedy promoting responsible pet ownership through education and signage. Interviews with locals and experts highlight the need for cultural change, increased awareness, and enforcement of existing laws. However, enforcement is hindered by limited personnel.

A proposed solution is the Wetland Watchdogs initiative, a volunteer-driven program to monitor disturbances, educate visitors, and support compliance with conservation rules. This grassroots approach could empower communities to protect their local wetlands more effectively.

Ultimately, protecting Chile’s wetlands requires a blend of education, regulation, and community engagement. Algarrobo’s experience shows that meaningful change is possible when local people take ownership of their environment, recognizing that the wetland closest to us is the one we must fight hardest to preserve.