Our primary mission is to conduct research that advances both the persistence of wild canid biodiversity and our basic understanding of canid evolution and ecology. In this context, the Canid Diversity and Conservation Group (CDCG) is an educational entity, providing opportunities for graduate, undergraduate, and veterinary student research. We collaborate with other academic investigators and work closely with state, federal, and local agencies to ensure that our research has practical application. The CDCG also hosts students and volunteers from California State University, Sacramento, and American River College, providing opportunities for students with diverse backgrounds to come together, collaborate, and learn from one another. Although genetic tools are a cornerstone of our methodologies, we use of both field and laboratory based approaches in our research. The CDCG is housed in the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL) annex on Old Davis Rd, just south of I-80 in the same compound as the VGL primary facility.