Professional Experience

Remote from Anchorage, Alaska | August 2018 to September 2023

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From concepting to design to launch, directed the product lifecycle of the Bird Migration Explorer, a hemispheric geospatial web application that visualizes migration patterns and conservation challenges faced by migratory birds across the Americas. Led a team in avian science, GIS, data analysis, and data visualization to acquire and process extensive bird migration data to build out a back end of multiple interrelated data products visualized by the front end. Developed a hemispheric framework for documenting species threats then analyzing and mapping where and when birds encounter conservation challenges throughout their migratory lifecycles. Built and scaled the Explorer in partnership with 10 international conservation and technology organizations and data from over 300 research institutions.

Founding Partners included Birds Canada, Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, Bird Genoscape Proejct, BirdLife International, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Esri, Georgetown University, Movebank, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, and US Geological Survey.

Director of Conservation Science, Audubon Alaska

Anchorage, Alaska, July 2013 to July 2018 

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Led the Alaska state office’s Southeast Alaska, Arctic land & marine, and Important Bird Areas science programs. Developed conservation program strategy and innovative data-driven initiatives. Oversaw a team of scientists, GIS specialists, and contractors in geospatial data analysis, synthesis, and visualization to build print, digital, and decision-support products to influence policy decisions. Frequently interacted with federal agency decision-makers, NGO partners, board members, and donors.

This work played a significant role in permanently protecting millions of acres in the Arctic Ocean from offshore drilling, establishing internationally recognized areas off limits from vessel traffic, and reducing old-growth logging in the Tongass National Forest. Initiated and implemented the Southeast Alaska Birding Trail, and published the Ecological Atlas of Southeast Alaska and the award-winning Ecological Atlas of the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas.

Spatial Ecologist, Audubon Alaska

Anchorage, Alaska, April 2008 to June 2013

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Spatial analyst and wildlife ecologist for the organization’s Southeast Alaska, Arctic marine, and Arctic terrestrial landscape initiatives, and the statewide Important Bird Areas program. Designed and implemented the organization’s GIS data system. Developed scientific products including maps, ecological atlases, conservation blueprints, and reports to inform policy advocacy efforts.

This work played a significant role in protecting millions of acres of key bird and mammal habitat in the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPRA).

GIS Director & Environmental Scientist, Ecosystem Research Group

Missoula, Montana, February 2003 to March 2008

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Conducted environmental research, spatial analysis and modeling, map design, GIS systems management, data best practices, and technical writing. Worked with federal, state, and local agencies and private industry on collaborative national forest management projects and energy development issues in the Rocky Mountain West.

This work played a significant role in the development of Senator Tester’s Forest Jobs and Recreation Act.

Public Comments Coordinator, Friends of the Missouri Breaks Monument

Lewistown, Montana, October 2002 to January 2003

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Performed content analysis on public scoping comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement related to management of the Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Developed database for scoring comments to share with leaders of the organization.

Biological Sciences Technician, USFS Prescott National Forest

Prescott, Arizona, May to October 2001

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Conducted ecological inventories and monitoring (ocular estimates of foliar canopy cover, frequency monitoring), identified and measured many aspects of plant community composition/structure and soil condition.

Volunteer Experience

Co-Chair, Boreal Partners in Flight

Anchorage, Alaska, December 2018 to December 2020 

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Provided leadership for the Boreal chapter of Partners in Flight, primarily through coordination and submission of public comments on projects in Alaska such as development of Pebble Mine, repeal of application of the Roadless Rule to the Tongass National Forest, the management plan for the National Petroleum Reserve, and the incidental take provision of the national Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Coordinated and hosted the annual meeting.

Dog Mushing & Skijoring Instructor, Alaska Department of Fish and Game / Alaskan Sled Dog & Racing Association

Chickaloon, Alaska, every March, 2010 to 2020

Anchorage, Alaska 2024

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For ten years, co-instructed a workshop on dog mushing and skijoring for the Becoming an Outdoorswoman Winter Workshop. Taught dog handling, dog care, mushing and skijoring equipment, dog sledding, and dog training. Taught three half-day courses with ten students per class over a three-day weekend each winter.

In 2024, developed and taught a half-day course on Kicksledding with Your Dog for the Alaskan Sled Dog & Racing Association. Developed new maps of Anchorage’s dog mushing trails.

President and Mentorship Program Coordinator, Alaska Women’s Environmental Network

Anchorage, Alaska, September 2009 to December 2012

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Provided leadership to the organization in the following areas: meetings & events, networking, development & funding, and cultivating leadership. As the Mentorship Program Coordinator, developed and organized AWEN’s mentorship program to inspire and cultivate future environmental leaders. As President, represented AWEN in the environmental community and encouraged inclusive membership from women of various backgrounds.

Seabird Observer, US Fish & Wildlife Service

Anchorage, Alaska, October 2012

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Spent three weeks aboard an ice-breaking vessel, the US Coast Guard Cutter Healy, recording seabird and marine mammal sightings along 300-m strip transects. The 5200-mile voyage traveled through the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas. Wrote a daily blog about the journey followed by ~1700 individuals, and wrote a popular article for Alaska Magazine.

Board Member, Anchorage Skijor Club

Anchorage, Alaska, May 2010 to May 2012

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Acted as a point of contact for the club; organized skijoring events and races; taught skijoring classes; broadened the reach of the club and encouraged membership.

Education Program Presenter, Bird Treatment & Learning Center

Anchorage, Alaska, October 2008 to June 2010

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Was certified as an education presenter for the center’s Northern Goshawk, giving presentations to school groups, local families, and Alaskan tourists at a variety of public venues.

Avian Rehabilitation Clinic Technician, Bird Treatment & Learning Center

Anchorage, Alaska, June 2008 to June 2009

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This volunteer position consisted of injured-bird care for a variety of raptor, corvid, songbird, and waterfowl species. Daily work included sanitation of cages and mews, medical care, nutrition, and capturing/handling birds as small as songbirds and as large as bald eagles.

Raptor Biologist & Spatial Analyst, Raptor View Research Institute

Missoula, Montana, September 2007 to 2010

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This position initially consisted of field work (trapping, examining, banding/tagging/collaring raptors). Subsequent spatial analysis was performed for the Adult Golden Eagle Satellite Tracking Project, analyzing migration routes, movement patterns, and wintering and breeding grounds.

Student Experience

Student Researcher (Graduate), Department of Geography, University of Montana

Missoula, Montana, August 2004 to May 2007

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Thesis work was a union of raptor ecology and individual-based spatial simulation modeling. Developed, tested, and implemented a dynamic individual-based simulation model for predicting habitat and population dynamics of northern goshawks.

Student Researcher (Undergraduate), Department of Environmental Studies: Alaska Field Studies, Prescott College

Prescott, Arizona, May 2000 to May 2001

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Traveled extensively in Alaska over three summers and participated in the Alaska Studies Semester studying ecology and environmental policy across the state from the Arctic Ocean to Southeast Alaska. Senior thesis focused on the natural history of Glacier Bay and Southeast Alaska emphasizing primary succession, long- and short-term glacial processes, geologic history, and natural history of marine and terrestrial life.

GIS Technician (Undergraduate), Department of Environmental Studies: Alaska Field Studies, Prescott College

Prescott, Arizona, February to May 2001

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Conducted analysis as part of an advanced GIS course. Analyzed elk security zones in Gunnison Basin, Colorado, identifying areas safe from recreational disturbances. Mapped Isla Alcatraz, Sonora, Mexico, for the Prescott College Marine Studies Center in Bahia de Kino. This project included field work using GPS and lab work to create interpolated bathymetric surfaces and 3D views of the island and surrounding ocean bottom.