Nature Preserve Manager: Center for Natural Lands Management 2004-2009
As a Preserve Manager based in Western Riverside County, CA, I was involved with all aspects of nature preserve management on preserves designated as mitigation for federally or state protected plant and animal species. Preserve management included biological monitoring, control of non-native plants and animals, overseeing stream and habitat restoration projects, property management, public interaction and education, and writing annual work plans and reports. I also designed and conducted an experiment to determine the efficacy of various grassland management techniques (grazing with sheep, mowing, or prescribed fire) for endangered Stephens' kangaroo rat (Dipodomys stephensi) and burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia). I designed methods for and monitored populations of federally endangered plant species and sensitive habitats such as vernal pools, grasslands, and coastal sage scrub. I wrote for and received grants to fund habitat enhancement for San Diego Ambrosia (Ambrosia pumila) and burrowing owl. I published a paper in the journal Restoration Ecology that came out of some of this work (Hasselquist et al. 2013). I also assisted with surveying for small mammals, native songbirds, fairy shrimp, and larval amphibians. As needed, I conducted Property Analysis Record (PAR) reports. PAR is a process and software developed by CNLM that involves long-term cost analysis for monitoring and land management. See www.cnlm.org.
Research Assistant: Idaho State University 2002-2004
For two years I hiked around the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming studying the “Effects of Surrounding Vegetation on Establishment of Conifer Seedlings in Alpine-Treeline Ecotones of the Rocky Mountains” for my MS degree under Dr. Matthew Germino, who was then at Idaho State University. I did an observational study of tree seedling establishiment at alpine treeline (Maher and Germino 2006) as well as performed an experiment testing whether or not "tree islands" facilitated tree seedling establishment at alpine treeline (Maher et al. 2005).
Field Technician: Bandelier National Monument and Los Alamos National Lab
2000-2002
During my time in New Mexico, I maintained a long-term erosion study within a rapidly degrading piñon-juniper woodland. Identified vegetation to species on Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) permanent line transects. Maintained LTER surface-dwelling arthropod pitfall traps. Measured, maintained, and installed dendrometer bands (devices for measuring tree growth). Assisted with fire ecology research project in which aspen were cored and nearby fire-scarred trees were sampled and aged in order to correlate year of fire with the age of the aspen stand. Participated in a study of the effects of the Cerro Grande Fire on the Jemez Mountains Salamander (JMS) and its food prey. Identified arthropods from JMS study to Order.
Field Technician: New Hampshire Fish and Game Department 1999-2000
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I was part of a team that conducted a “Fishing for the Future” survey of the Soucook River and its tributaries which included collecting and identifying macroinvertebrates, conducting habitat studies, testing basic water chemistry, and fish population surveys utilizing backpack electro-shocking units. |