Dylan McDowell

Acting Executive Director at National Caucus of Environmental Legislators
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Contact Information
us****@****om
(386) 825-5501
Location
Salem, Oregon, United States, US
Languages
  • Swahili -
Skills

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5.0

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Bill Hanshumaker

I can highly recommend Dylan as a science communicator, skilled in different venues. He is an experienced public speaker who effectively communicates the process and products of current science research. Dylan writing skills allows him to interpret complex science topics for the general public. He has also designed and evaluated science exhibits.

Nick Houtman

With initiative and attention to detail, Dylan wrote more publishable stories for Terra than has any other student. His podcast series and a video still stand as models for students who want to do science writing. His dedication to telling stories that matter is inspiring.

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Credentials

  • High School Biology Teaching Certification for the State of Oregon
    Oregon Teaching Standards and Practices Commission
    Jun, 2014
    - Oct, 2024

Experience

  • National Caucus of Environmental Legislators
    • United States
    • Environmental Services
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Acting Executive Director
      • Jul 2022 - Present

      Leading the organization through May 2022. Responsible for Board engagement, fundraising, program oversight, and other facets of organizational development.

    • Deputy Director
      • Sep 2018 - Jul 2022

      Oversee program work and develop strategic partnerships.

    • Program Director
      • Jan 2016 - Sep 2018

      Directed program efforts to support a network of over 1,000 state legislators working on environmental issues ranging from clean water to toxic chemicals to conservation. Developed opportunities and materials for legislators to engage with science, including presentations at state capitols and an annual national forum. Worked in tandem with the executive director to conduct fundraising efforts such as grant proposals, reports, and relationship building.

    • Outreach Coordinator
      • Jan 2015 - Jan 2016

      Developed concise fact sheets, news alerts and usable information for over 1,000 state legislators in all 50 states to stay informed about environmental issues. My role involved facilitating communication between legislators from different states working on similar issues, as well as establishing connections with scientific experts. I helped execute grant writing and daily office tasks such as social media, updating databases and responding to legislator inquiries.

  • UC Santa Cruz Coastal Science & Policy Program
    • United States
    • Higher Education
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Blue Pioneers Program Accelerator Fellow
      • Nov 2020 - Present

      The Blue Pioneers Program aims to develop leaders and innovators who start and grow organizations to overcome ocean conservation challenges around the world. Supporting an ongoing project related to sea cucumber aquaculture opportunities. https://bluepioneers.ucsc.edu/about The Blue Pioneers Program aims to develop leaders and innovators who start and grow organizations to overcome ocean conservation challenges around the world. Supporting an ongoing project related to sea cucumber aquaculture opportunities. https://bluepioneers.ucsc.edu/about

  • Oregon Sea Grant
    • United States
    • Higher Education
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Contract Science Writer
      • Aug 2015 - Aug 2018

      Write stories for various Sea Grant publications highlighting research funded by the organization. Translate complex scientific research into news articles for a general audience. Conduct background research and interviews, as well as taking photos when applicable. Write stories for various Sea Grant publications highlighting research funded by the organization. Translate complex scientific research into news articles for a general audience. Conduct background research and interviews, as well as taking photos when applicable.

    • Communications Assistant
      • Jun 2014 - Jun 2015

      Writing and content development for the Breaking Waves blog and other publications for the organization. Covered symposiums, conferences and carried out survey analysis related to marine debris, citizen science and other coastal issues in Oregon. Writing and content development for the Breaking Waves blog and other publications for the organization. Covered symposiums, conferences and carried out survey analysis related to marine debris, citizen science and other coastal issues in Oregon.

  • Oregon State University
    • Higher Education
    • 700 & Above Employee
    • Government Relations Legislative Outreach Assistant
      • Nov 2013 - Nov 2014

      Ensured State Legislators in Oregon were updated with current OSU news and events through regular outreach and correspondence. In addition, I researched issues associated with OSU's State and Federal priorities, maintained legislative databases, and coordinated logistics for campus visits, including an international delegation from Malaysia to discuss research and study collaborations.

    • Terra Magazine Student Writer
      • Sep 2011 - Jun 2014

      Highlighted research stories from across the University using online, print and audio formats for the research magazine, Terra. I identified topics of interest, conducted interviews and produced compelling stories aimed at those without an extensive science background. Additionally, I developed a podcast series called Terra Talk that is now available on iTunesU and features interviews with OSU researchers about their work.

  • Crescent Valley High School
    • United States
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Student Teacher
      • Jan 2014 - Jun 2014

      Designed lessons and taught high school students about biology and marine science using Next Gen and Common Core science standards. This included lab activities, tests and original activities aimed at reaching all types of learners. I taught roughly 90 freshmen across four class periods and ensured that the information was consistent, in addition to 20 upperclassmen in a marine science elective. Designed lessons and taught high school students about biology and marine science using Next Gen and Common Core science standards. This included lab activities, tests and original activities aimed at reaching all types of learners. I taught roughly 90 freshmen across four class periods and ensured that the information was consistent, in addition to 20 upperclassmen in a marine science elective.

  • Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
    • United States
    • Research Services
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Environmental Educator
      • Jun 2013 - Aug 2013

      Designed and coordinated educational materials for three weeklong science camps as well as regular day visits by school groups and summer programs. I collaborated with Smithsonian employees to feature Smithsonian research in our education and offer trainings for visiting teachers about watersheds. Activities included animal encounters in the river and guided canoe tours to highlight the local ecosystem and its history. Designed and coordinated educational materials for three weeklong science camps as well as regular day visits by school groups and summer programs. I collaborated with Smithsonian employees to feature Smithsonian research in our education and offer trainings for visiting teachers about watersheds. Activities included animal encounters in the river and guided canoe tours to highlight the local ecosystem and its history.

  • Rosslyn Safaris
    • Wildlife Management Intern
      • Jun 2012 - Aug 2012

      Carried out management duties for a 32,000 acre wildlife reserve in Zimbabwe. I assisted with animal counts for population estimates, managed tick reduction machines to prevent disease in ungulate populations and guided foreign hunters on day trips into the field to teach them about the local ecosystem. Carried out management duties for a 32,000 acre wildlife reserve in Zimbabwe. I assisted with animal counts for population estimates, managed tick reduction machines to prevent disease in ungulate populations and guided foreign hunters on day trips into the field to teach them about the local ecosystem.

  • Spring Creek Project
    • United States
    • Outreach Intern
      • Sep 2011 - Jun 2012

      Coordinated and promoted events to convene writers and scientists to discuss ethics. I organized a database to administer the Writers in Residence Program, along with managing the organizations website with Drupal and creating a social media presence. Coordinated and promoted events to convene writers and scientists to discuss ethics. I organized a database to administer the Writers in Residence Program, along with managing the organizations website with Drupal and creating a social media presence.

  • Hatfield Marine Science Center
    • Education Intern
      • Jun 2011 - Sep 2011

      Carried out interpretative tasks to improve visitor experience. These included daily 45-minute presentations about deep-sea vent research, hour-long tours of the local estuary, and collaboration with state and federal researchers to create public displays featuring current science. Most notably, I created a touch-screen display on deep-sea exploration using Adobe Flash builder complete with videos and photos from recent explorations. Carried out interpretative tasks to improve visitor experience. These included daily 45-minute presentations about deep-sea vent research, hour-long tours of the local estuary, and collaboration with state and federal researchers to create public displays featuring current science. Most notably, I created a touch-screen display on deep-sea exploration using Adobe Flash builder complete with videos and photos from recent explorations.

  • Oregon Coast Aquarium
    • United States
    • Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
    • 1 - 100 Employee
    • Intern
      • Jun 2007 - Sep 2007

      Assisted with every major department at the Aquarium on a rotating schedule throughout the summer. I communicated new research and animal information through formal presentations and feeding talks for the education department; managed groups of visitors; managed groups of visitors in behind the scenes tours and animal encounters; preformed lab duties by testing water quality at beaches in the Newport area; and collaborated with Aquarium staff to assist with animal husbandry procedures. Assisted with every major department at the Aquarium on a rotating schedule throughout the summer. I communicated new research and animal information through formal presentations and feeding talks for the education department; managed groups of visitors; managed groups of visitors in behind the scenes tours and animal encounters; preformed lab duties by testing water quality at beaches in the Newport area; and collaborated with Aquarium staff to assist with animal husbandry procedures.

Education

  • Oregon State University
    Honors Bachelors of Science, Fisheries and Wildlife Science
    2010 - 2014
  • School for International Training
    Wildlife Conservation and Political Ecology
    2012 - 2012
  • Waldport High School
    2006 - 2010

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