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Tiger Giving Day 2026
March 25
Tiger Giving Day is Auburn University’s 24-hour online fundraising event
focused on changing lives on campus, in our communities, and across the state.
On March 25, make your gift and make change happen.
Support CFWE’s impactful projects this Tiger Giving Day!
Protect Alabama’s Black Bear Population
Auburn’s College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment will use GPS‑enabled collar cameras to study southern Alabama’s vulnerable black bear population, capturing first‑of‑its‑kind video insights into maternal behavior and cub survival without disturbing the animals. This innovative research also provides Auburn students with field experience, building practical skills that prepare them for careers in natural resource management and conservation.
On Tiger Giving Day, the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment is raising $20,000 to purchase GPS collar cameras that will be placed on southern Alabama black bears for vital research of this vulnerable animal population in our state. In addition to enhancing black bear conservation efforts, this technology will create impactful experiential learning for Auburn students.
The southern Alabama black bear is one of the smallest and most at-risk animal populations in North America, and recent research shows an unusually low cub survival rate. To better understand the causes of these survival issues, we will deploy GPS-enabled camera collars on female bears within the population. These collars capture short videos and pictures from the bear’s perspective throughout winter denning, all without disturbing the bears!
This first-of-its-kind approach will provide new insights into maternal behavior and cub development, helping us guide management and conservation efforts. This project also creates valuable field experiences for Auburn students. Through summer practicum and volunteer opportunities, students assist with field research and data collection.
These experiences build real-world skills that make students more competitive for future natural resource careers. With your help, we can protect Alabama’s black bears and empower the next generation of wildlife professionals.
Launch Forestry Drone Learning at Auburn
Auburn’s College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment will integrate a multispectral teaching drone and professional analysis software into coursework, giving students hands‑on experience with cutting‑edge tools used to assess forest health, monitor wildlife habitats, and inform natural resource management decisions. By embedding drone‑based learning into the curriculum, the college will provide meaningful experiential opportunities that strengthen students’ technical skills, confidence, and career readiness.
This Tiger Giving Day, the College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) is raising $11,000 to take student learning to new heights by bringing innovative drone technology into the classroom and the field. With funds raised, we will purchase a multispectral teaching drone and professional data analysis software. These powerful tools will be integrated into courses across CFWE majors, giving students hands-on experience with technology that is rapidly transforming forestry, wildlife conservation and natural resource management.
Unlike standard cameras, multispectral sensors collect data that can’t be seen with the human eye. Students can use this information to assess forest health, track vegetation growth, detect plant stress, monitor wildlife habitats and make better informed management decisions. This kind of real-world data collection and analysis is increasingly relied upon by industry professionals. And now, our students will be able to learn it firsthand.
Embedding drone-based learning into coursework creates meaningful opportunities that go beyond textbooks and lectures. Students will graduate with practical market-aligned skills that will strengthen their career readiness and help them stand out in a competitive job market. By supporting this project, you are advancing CFWE’s commitment to innovative, technology-driven education and putting state-of-the-art tools directly into student hands — expanding their skills, confidence and career opportunities.
