Personal Statement: My experience in the environmental field during four years of study and five years in an environmental NGO have solidified my lifelong passion for conservation. In addition to education and work, I have gained insights into environmental problems and solution as a board member of a national conservation group. I now look forward to refining my skills set through research and graduate scholarship to better prepare myself for a continued career in the conservation field. My strong mid-western work ethic, coupled with communication skills, management experience and ability to work in a team are assets I will bring to the program. I value independent thinking and creative problem solving above all else and apply rigorous discipline to following through with my responsibilities. Education: M.Sc. Environmental Studies emphasis Watershed Conservation University of Montana Missoula, Montana 2014-2016 (expected) Research interests: I am interested in mitigating anthropogenic effects on watershed systems. My thesis research looks at ways to minimize or alter landscape disturbances for migration and dispersal of herpetofauna. Relevant Coursework: Hydrology, Aquatic Ecology with field components, Applied Watershed Conservation B.S. Environmental Studies emphasis Wilderness Philosophy Northland College Ashland, Wisconsin 2005-2008 Cumulative GPA: 3.77 Honors and Distinctions Magna Cum Laude Dean's List, 2007-2009 (all applicable semesters) Academic Excellence Scholarship Parsonage Fund Scholarship Relevant Coursework Ecology, Natural Resources, Ecological Restoration with field components, Sociology of the Environment, Environmental Ethics, Environmental Communications, Environmental History Final thesis: The Metaphoric Construction of 'wilderness' in Alaskan Nature Writing over Three Centuries, 2008 Teaching Experience: 2014- Instructor; College Writing, WRIT 101 (3cr.), University of Montana 2012- Guest Instructor; Travel Course: Forest Ecology and Wilderness Policy, (6cr.), Know College Relevant Experience: May 2010-August 2014: Communications Director and Wilderness Conservation Coordinator; Sitka Conservation Society; Sitka, Alaska Page 1
Manage Wilderness research program to augment research and management capacity of USDA Tongass National Forest Service (project website: www.sitkawild.org/wilderness/) Collect, analyze, and report on field data and species lists Coordinate remote field monitoring expeditions up to 3 weeks including all logistics, risk management, technical skill/equipment, and acted as expedition leader (totaling 210 field days over 3 project years) Coordinate partnership to share data and field logistics with research institutions and graduate students. Implement invasive plant removal and assess treatment efficacy Manage employees Develop and implement budgets (over $160,000 per year) while successfully writing grants totaling over $120,000 over two years for project support Advocate for appropriate management of the Tongass National Forest. Organize and implement strategic campaigns to effect policy. Draft comments on projects under the National Environmental Policy Act process Build a constituency of citizen advocates through carefully crafted public outreach Manage and raise support for the Living Wilderness Endowment Fund including working with financial planners to develop charitable bequests November 2013-Present: Board Member; Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association June 2010-Present: Board Member, Development Committee Chair; National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance Build a national constituency of volunteer wilderness stewards and managers Provide organizational oversight and direction. Fund raise and ensure fiscal solvency and sustainability September 2011-Present: Owner; Nunatak Design; Sitka, Alaska Provide graphic design, print and video media, and website design. Visit www.nunatakdesign.com to see a portfolio of projects 2006-2007: Staff Writer; Northern Native Plants Project; Ashland, Wisconsin Researched and drafted press releases and articles for various media outlets Referred by writing professor for the position Other Experience 2007-2010: Senior Guide; Spirit Walker Expeditions of Alaska; Gustavus, Alaska Lead natural history lessons and outdoor living training for participants Attend natural history seminars hosted by Glacier Bay National Park researchers Leadership Experience 2006-2008: Student Senator; Northland College Student Association; Northland College 2005-2006: State Coordinator; Sierra Student Coalition; Indiana Page 2
2005: National Outdoor Leadership School graduate; Alaska Additional Skills Practical Conservation Skills Wilderness First Responder certification Remote satellite field communications National Outdoor Leadership School alumni American Canoe Association Coastal L4 Sea Kayak Instructor certification Certified Wisconsin Master Gardener Computing Skills Digital photography and videography; Adobe InDesign 5, Photoshop 5.5, Lightroom 5, Premier 6, After Effects 6, Encore 6, Audition 5.5; GIMP2; Scribus; Giftworks; CiviCRM Data display and advanced presentation design Cybertracker for tracking species occurrence data Awards and Honors: 2011- Region 10 Wilderness Partner of the Year (awarded as manager of the Sitka Conservation Society Wilderness Project) 2010- Bob Marshall Group Champion of Wilderness Award (awarded as manager of the Sitka Conservation Society Wilderness Project) Speaking and Presentations: October 2013 - October 2013 - March 2013- November 2012- March 2011- Shifting Conceptions of Wilderness in Alaska Nature Writing: A survey of three centuries, (Wilderness 50, 50 th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act National Conference; Albuquerque, New Mexico) Giving Wilderness a Voice in the Digital Age: Lessons for new-media campaigns, (Wilderness 50, 50 th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act National Conference; Albuquerque, New Mexico) Panel Speaker: Seeing Green: The economic benefits of wilderness, (Wilderness 50, 50 th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act National Conference; Albuquerque, New Mexico) WILD10- Science and Stewardship to Protect and Sustain Wilderness Values (World Wilderness Congress; Salamanca, Spain) Creation, Strategy, Implementation, COMMUNICATION: Effective Communication for Non-Profits, (National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance Annual Conference; Big Bear, California) Three Centuries of Alaska Wilderness, (Backwoods and Waters Lecture Series; Sitka, Alaska) Unique Ways Partners Can Contribute to Wilderness Stewardship (National Forest Foundation; online webinar series) Partnering with Non-traditional User Groups for Wilderness Stewardship (National Wilderness Stewardship Alliance Annual Conference; Las Vegas, Page 3
Grants: Nevada) 2011- National Forest Foundation Wilderness Stewardship Grant $27,000 2012- National Forest Foundation Wilderness Stewardship Grant $31,000 U.S. Forest Service $7,380 2013- National Forest Foundation Wilderness Stewardship Grant $29,000 U.S. Forest Service $18,400 2014- National Forest Foundation Wilderness Stewardship Grant $29,735 Film: 2014- The Meaning of Wild. (Documentary, 35 min.). Associate Producer. Synopsis: The Meaning of Wild is a half hour documentary film that takes viewers on a journey through one of our nation s wildest landscapes, the Tongass National Forest of Southeast Alaska. The film follows wildlife cameraman Ben Hamilton as he travels by boat, plane, kayak and foot to capture and share the true value of Wilderness. Along the journey, Ben encounters bears, calving glaciers, ancient forests, and harsh seas, but it s the characters he meets along the way that bring true insight to his mission. Filmed in stunning High Definition, The Meaning of Wild highlights never before captured landscapes while provoking reflection about their importance to us all. Ultimately, the film celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the Wilderness Act and seeks to share these national treasures and inspire the next generation of wilderness advocates. Awards and Distinctions: Winner Best Alaska Award Alaska International Film Awards 2014, Official Selection Big Sky Documentary Film Festival 2014, Official Selection Breckenridge Festical of Film 2014, Official Selection Tacoma Film Festival 2014, Official Selection The American Conservation Film Festival 2014, Official Selection G2 Green Earth Film Festival 2014, Official Selection Environmental Film Festival in the Nation s Capital 2014, Official Selection Environmental Film Festival Melbourne 2014, Official Selection Life Sciences Film Festival Prague 2014 2013- Tongass Wilderness, Our Wilderness. (Short film, 1 min.). Director, Producer, Cinematographer, Editor. Synopsis: A short film, shot in South Baranof Wilderness Area, explores how designated Wilderness is integral to us all. Awards and Distinctions: Winner One-Minute Wild film contest, World Wilderness Congress, Salamanca, Spain. Photography: Published: Adventure Kayak Magazine, Spring 2014 Page 4
Canoe and Kayak Magazine, December, 2013 Shows: History of the Coast Guard, Sitka Historical Society, 2014; Solo show, Backdoor Cafe,2014; Homeport Cafe, 2014; Permanent Solo exhibition, Old Harbor Books, 2014; Solo show, Baranof Island Brewery, 2013; Solo show and auction, Sitka Conservation Film Festival 2013 Page 5