California’s north coast has long been home to the North American porcupine, but anecdotal evidence tells us populations are declining in this region. Being an understudied species in western coastal areas – very little is known about how porcupines use local resources or how extirpation may affect coastal dune systems. Previous work in the Bean lab has focused on resource selection and seasonal diet patterns of porcupines in Tolowa Dunes State Park. My research interests are broadly focused on the interactions between mammalian herbivores and plants. Specifically, what drives selection in herbivores and how foraging decisions shape plant community structure and composition. So moving forward in the Tolowa Dunes State Park study system, I hope to apply these interests and contribute to a better understanding of the direct and/or indirect effects porcupine foraging may have on coastal dune forest ecosystems.