Experience

Biodiversity Research Institute

• United States
• Environmental Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Marine Bird Program Director & Arctic Program Director

  • Jun 2010 - Present

  Responsible for the development and management of BRI’s Marine Bird Program and Arctic Program, including the development of new research projects that respond to urgent and emerging environmental issues, identifying potential funding sources, grant writing, and general network building. I develop and write research reports relevant to these programs, and often assist with outreach communications for professional and public needs. I regularly represent BRI at national and regional conservation coalitions and partnerships, as well as professional meetings and international conferences.



University of Southern Maine

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Adjunct Faculty

  • 2010 - 2013

  Taught an introductory course in Ornithology for mid- and upper level undergraduate students in Biology. Established course content in classroom and laboratory, lectured in scheduled classes, ran regular field trips, set and graded lab quizzes, reading assignments, and examinations. Taught an introductory course in Ornithology for mid- and upper level undergraduate students in Biology. Established course content in classroom and laboratory, lectured in scheduled classes, ran regular field trips, set and graded lab quizzes, reading assignments, and examinations.



National Audubon Society

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Senior Scientist - Important Bird Areas Program

  • 2008 - 2009

  The National Audubon Society is the U.S. Partner in BirdLife International’s global Important Bird Areas (IBAs) Program aimed at identifying sites of global, national, and local significance for bird conservation. I was tasked with developing Audubon’s approach to site assessment and conservation planning at IBAs, including: the development of specific protocols to assess the current state of species and habitats, the impact of threats, and effectiveness of conservation actions; assessment training materials for conservation practitioners; training of staff and volunteers in the use of assessment protocols; formation of an advisory committee to guide the IBA assessment process; collaboration with state program conservation staff to pilot the assessment approach at IBAs across the country; and extensive use of Miradi software specifically designed to help conservation practitioners implement adaptive management.

• Director of Bird Conservation - Alaska

  • 2004 - 2008

  Responsible for the implementation and management of the statewide Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program in Alaska. Also responsible for: coordination of Audubon Alaska’s bird-related activities and policies with national bird conservation programs; production of the Alaska WatchList, an early-warning system designed to assess the status of bird species in Alaska and highlight populations at risk; representing Audubon in national and state conservation coalitions and partnerships; development of effective partnerships with other conservation and land management professionals in government agencies and non-profit organizations; tracking potential threats to birds and their habitats statewide; review and assessment of agency proposals, development plans, environmental impact statements, etc. relevant to bird conservation and resource management; assisting with fund-raising and development activities supporting bird conservation.



Canadian Wildlife Service

• St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada

• Post Doctoral Fellow

  • 2003 - 2004

  Responsible for researching and authoring a conservation status report and recovery strategy for the Ivory Gull in Canada, on behalf of the Canadian Ivory Gull Working Group. [The status report persuaded the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) to up-list the species to Endangered in April 2006.] Identified potential causes for the declines in the breeding population in Canada and formalized key research priorities for the Canadian Ivory Gull Working Group. Involved in aerial surveys for breeding colonies across the Canadian High Arctic, and carried out boat-based surveys for wintering Ivory Gulls in the pack ice of the Labrador Sea.



Memorial University of Newfoundland

• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Sessional Lecturer

  • 2000 - 2003

  Co-taught an introductory course in Animal Behavior for upper level undergraduate students in Biology and Psychology. Established course content in classroom and laboratory, lectured in scheduled classes, developed a specific lab manual to complement textbook, set and graded lab assignments, student projects, and examinations.

• Teaching Assistant

  • 1995 - 2000

  Designed, taught and marked weekly hands-on laboratory exercises for introductory course in Animal Behavior. Designed and led field trip exercises for graduate course in Field & Laboratory Techniques in Behavioral Ecology. Assisted faculty with all aspects of teaching for a broad range of 1st to 4th-year undergraduate courses in Biology and Psychology.



Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust

• outposted - Alness, Scotland, UK.

• Research Officer

  • 1993 - 1994

  Served as an independent and out-posted research officer, responsible for improvement in the understanding of seasonal and annual changes in movements and distribution of ‘grey geese’ (Anser spp.), the focus of conflict between conservation and agricultural interests in Scotland. Coordinated a large network of volunteers to increase the frequency and accuracy of national goose counts and age ratio statistics. Provided central point for the collation of goose data, liaison with volunteer network, and assisted with color-marking of geese.



NatureScot

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Special Protection Area Survey Officer

  • 1993 - 1994

  Designed and carried out a series of breeding bird surveys on remote Scottish islands to assess their ecological significance and potential for Special Protection Area status. Required knowledge of a broad range of habitats and survey techniques, and involved liaison with landowners, residents, and conservation officers.

• Scientific Officer

  • 1992 - 1993

  Investigated the distribution, foraging behavior, and habitat use of ‘grey geese’ (Anser spp.) wintering around the Moray Firth, northern Scotland, and assessed the potential for conflict with agricultural interests. Designed field methods, analyzed results and established database; coordinated large volunteer network; provided liaison between landowners, hunters, and conservationists; reviewed management techniques and advised policy makers.