Bonnie Slaton, Wildlife Ecologist, supports The Water Institute's Coastal Ecology Department in the monitoring and management support for a range of wildlife resources including birds, marine mammals, fish, and amphibians. Specifically, she provides targeted data collection, data synthesis, and work with Institute data and database managers and front-end developers in developing data access and delivery for resource managers and researchers. Her support allows the Institute to better understand the complex ecological systems of coastal Louisiana and the northern Gulf.

Bonnie received her Master of Science in Biology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Her research focused on the responses of Brown Pelican nesting ecology and habitat on barrier islands to major hurricane events. Within her studies, she gained expertise in coastal restoration, ornithology, statistical ecology, marine ecology, and GIS. Her professional career as a marine ecologist includes extensive field and research experience across Louisiana's coastal ecosystems. Over the last fifteen years, Slaton has contributed to multi-year field research surveys of avian nesting colonies and migratory birds, benthic invertebrates, vegetation and marine fisheries in coastal Louisiana. In additional to field research, Slaton has authored technical reports, presented her research at conferences, and has extensive experience in science outreach and communication efforts. Bonnie is also a member of the Louisiana Ornithological Society, The Waterbird Society, and the Orleans Audubon Society.