Trulio, Lynn
Date Updated
10-17-2025
Department
Environmental Studies, College of Social Sciences
Academic Rank
Professor
Year Retired from SJSU
2022 (FERP 2022 - 2025)
Educational Background
University of California, Davis. Ph.D., Ecology, June, 1988
Goucher College, Towson, MD, B.A., Biological Sciences, June, 1979
Dissertation Title
Evolutionary significance of infanticide in California ground squirrels
Teaching Experience
San José State University, Environmental Studies, College of Social Sciences, Professor, Associate Professor, & Assistant Professor, BA/BS/MS, 1991-2025
Courses taught: Introduction to Environmental Studies (EnvS 001), Life on a Changing Planet (EnvS 010), Population and Environmental Change (EnvS 121), Globalization and the Environment (EnvS 152), Environmental Impact Assessment (EnvS 185), Advanced Impact Assessment (EnvS 190), Environmental Restoration (EnvS 187), Advanced Restoration (EnvS 191), Senior Seminar (EnvS 198), Graduate Environmental Methods (EnvS 200), Graduate Proposals (EnvS 297)
Administrative and Professional Experience
Department Chair, San José State University, Department of Environmental Studies, College of Social Sciences, August 1996-2000, 2008-2014; 2016-2021
Acting and Interim Associate Dean, San José State University, College of Social Sciences, College of Social Sciences, July 2014-January 2016
Academic Affairs Administrative Fellow, San José State University, Office of the Provost, January 2013-May 2014
Service
University Governance and Committees:
Member of Dean’s Search Committees for Engineering and Social Sciences (various dates) Sustainability Task Force (2008)
Strategic Planning Committee (2010-2011)
University Sustainability Board (2008-2020)
Academic Senator and member of the Curriculum and research Committee (2013-2019)
College Committees:
Policy, Curriculum, Research, Sabbatical, Assessment and Awards (various dates)
Department Governance:
Chair (1998-1999, 2001-2005, 2008-2014, 2016-2021)
Associate Chair (1997-1998) Graduate Program Director (1995-1997; 2004-2005) Assessment Director (2008-2014)
Selected Publications
Trulio, LA., D.A Chromczak, P.G. Higgins. 2025. Influence of mate and nest-site fidelity on a declining, urban avian population. PLoS One 20(6): e0326160. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0326160
Haile, E.A., K.K. Neuman, L.E Stenzel, and L.A. Trulio. 2025. Western snowy plover breeding dispersal in response to nest failure in Monterey Bay, California, USA. Endangered Species Research 58:49-60.
Lacour, E. R., L. A. Trulio, and R. O'Malley. 2025. Combining camera trap and fitness app data to assess mammal response to hiking and mountain biking trail use. Journal of Wildlife Management e70011. https://doi.org/10.1002/jwmg.70011
Barr, K., Bossu, C.M., Bay, R.A., Anderson, E. C., Belthoff, J., Trulio, L.A., Chromczak, D., Wisinski, C.L., Smith, T.B., & Ruegg, K.C. (2023). Genetic and environmental drivers of migratory behavior in western burrowing owls and implications for conservation and management. Evolutionary Applications, 00, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.13600
Trulio, L.A, D.A Chromczak, P. Higgins, S. Menzel, C. Bossu, and K. Ruegg. 2023. Combining genomic and field Analyses to reveal migratory status in a burrowing owl population. Conservation Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10592-023-01578-3
Tu, B. and L. Trulio. 2022. Livestock Ponds as Long-term Habitat for Western Pond Turtles in Rangeland Landscapes. Chelonian Conservation and Biology https://doi.org/10.2744/CCB-1526.1.
Henderson, L. and L. Trulio. 2019. Can California Ground Squirrels reduce predation risk to burrowing owls? Journal of Raptor Research 53:172-179.
Trulio, L. and H. R. White. 2017. Trail user avoidance and tolerance by wintering waterfowl in San Francisco Bay. Waterbirds 40:252-262.
Bednar, C. and L. Trulio. 2017. Reducing human impacts on central California intertidal gastropods: Are Marine Protected Areas effective? Molluscan Research 37(2):148-152.
Chandler, S.L., J.R. Teitz, R.W. Bradley and L. Trulio. 2016. Burrowing owl diet at a migratory stopover site and wintering ground on Southeast Farallon Island, California. Journal of Raptor Research 50:391-403.
Nyhof, P. and L. Trulio. 2015. Basking western pond turtle response to recreational trail use in urban California. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 14:182-184.
Trulio, L. and P. Higgins. 2012. The diet of Western burrowing owls in an urban landscape. Western North American Naturalist 73:348-356.
Trulio, L. and J. Sokale. 2008. Foraging shorebird response to trail use around San Francisco Bay. Journal of Wildlife Management 72:1775-1780.
Files
Personal Commentary
I am deeply committed to the preservation and restoration of ecological communities and species. My areas of expertise are the ecology of burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia), the impact of recreation on wildlife and tidal marsh restoration, and I have published numerous papers on these topics with my students and colleagues. Including students in the research process and linking my findings to teaching and public policy have been central in my career. San José State University has allowed me to pursue my research passions and has rewarded me for valuable opportunities to contribution to society, particularly through my temporary assignments as the lead scientist for the South San Francisco Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project (2003-2008; 2017-2018) and my work with the U.S. EPA in the Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds (1999-2001).
While I have--and continue to--find research rewarding, there are no words to express how thoroughly I have loved teaching our students at SJSU. They are dedicated, are hard workers, and appreciate classes that challenge them. Despite the many demands in their lives, they persevere and excel in their academics. I am honored to have been a part of the academic journey of so many students over the years. I hope to continue my connection with SJSU through ERFA as well as continuing to direct students pursuing environmentally-focused research.