Senior Ecologist
Department:
University System: Montana Natural Heritage Program -
Website(s): http://mtnhp.org/about/staff/staff.asp
Professional Summary:
Ph.D., Conservation Ecology, University of California, Davis, 2004; LLM, York University, Downsview, Ontario Canada,1980; BCL/JD, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec Canada, 1977. 2005-present: Montana Natural Heritage Program (University of Montana). Current position: Senior Ecologist, leading strategic planning and implementation of the ecological sciences component of the Montana Natural Heritage Program. Functions include: Manage Montana Wetland and Riparian Mapping Center in Helena; direct operations, planning, and projects at the Spatial Analysis Lab on the University of Montana campus; lead development of statewide ecological-systems based land cover classification across Montana; oversee creation of logic models and decision tools using Ecological Modeling for Decision Support (EMDS) software; develop analytic models for predicting current occurrence and future range shifts for plant and animal species and communities, particularly those susceptible to climate-driven factors; design and carry out wetland and watershed assessments using field-based measurements, vegetation surveys, and remotely-sensed data; analyze geospatial relationships between land use and land cover variables and watershed health; locate and describe upland and wetland ecological systems throughout Montana, and develop print and web-based interpretive materials to guide resource management. Act as President of Montana Association of Geographic Information Professionals and MT Director for the Rocky Mountain Region of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Serve on Montana Land Information Act Council. Previous work: Aquatic Ecologist/Herpetologist for the Pacific Southwest Research Station of the U.S. Forest Service; Director of Biological Sciences Programs for UC Davis Extension; Farm Advisor and County Advisor in Eastern California; Attorney in private practice, Vermont; faculty, Vermont College of Norwich University.