Curriculum Vitae
Education
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2022 |
PhD in Conservation Biology Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta Advisers: Dr. Scott Nielsen & Dr. Mark Edwards |
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2016 |
MSc in Biology Department of Biological Sciences, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California Adviser: Dr. Sharyn Marks |
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2013 |
BSc in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut Minor: Anthropology |
Publications
Peer-reviewed articles
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L.J. Hecker, M.A. Edwards, and S.E. Nielsen. Behavioral habitat selection of (Bison bison athabascae) in Boreal forests. Mammal Research. Published April 12, 2023. |
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L.J. Hecker, M.A. Edwards, and S.E. Nielsen. 2021. Assessing the nutritional consequences of switching foraging behaviour in wood bison. Ecology & Evolution. 11(22):16165-16176. |
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Sheppard, A.H.C., L.J. Hecker, M.A. Edwards, and S.E. Nielsen. 2021. Determining the influence of snow and temperature on the movement rates of wood bison (Bison bison athabascae). Canadian Journal of Zoology. 99(6):489-496. |
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Hecker, L.J., S.C.P. Coogan, S.E. Nielsen, and M.A. Edwards. 2020. Latitudinal plasticity in American bison (Bison bison) diets. Mammal Review. 51(2):193-206. |
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Shrestha, T.K., L.J. Hecker, A. Aryal, and S.C.P. Coogan. 2020. Feeding preferences and nutritional niche of wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee) in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal. Ecology & Evolution. 2020(00):1-9. |
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Hecker, L.J., W.T. Bean, and S.M. Marks. 2020. Compensatory microhabitat selection by Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus oreganus) in a cool and wet macroclimate. Journal of Herpetology. 54(1):39-49. |
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Bean, W.T., R.C. Baumbusch, B. Berger, M. Delheimer, L.J. Hecker, M. Lau, and M.C. Milligan. 2017. What should go in a wildlife biologist’s geospatial toolbox? Wildlife Society Bulletin. 41(3):605-610. |
Technical Reports
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Rawleigh, G.J., L.J. Hecker, L.T. Dewart, D.M. Epperson, M.A. Edwards and S.E. Nielsen. 2021. Ronald Lake wood bison research program: 2021 annual Report. University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2H1. 30 pp. |
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Rawleigh, G.J., L.J. Hecker, L.T. Dewart, D.M. Epperson, M.A. Edwards and S.E. Nielsen. 2021. Ronald Lake wood bison research program: 2021 semi-annual report. University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2H1. 22 pp. |
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Dewart, L.T.,L.J. Hecker, D. Epperson, G. Rawleigh, A.C. Sheppard, S.E. Nielsen, and M.A. Edwards. 2020. Ronald Lake wood bison research program: 2020 annual report. University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2H1. 44 pp. |
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Hecker, L.J., L.T. Dewart, D. Epperson, G. Rawleigh, A.C. Sheppard, S.E. Nielsen, and M.A. Edwards. 2020. Ronald Lake wood bison research program: 2020 semi-annual report. University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2H1. 37 pp. |
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Hecker, L.J., L.T. Dewart, D. Epperson, M.A. Edwards, and S.E. Nielsen. 2019b. Ronald Lake wood bison research program: 2019 annual report. University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2H1. 46 pp. |
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Hecker, L.J., L.T. Dewart, R.J. Belanger, M.A. Edwards, and S.E. Nielsen. 2019a. Ronald Lake wood bison research program: Semi-annual progress report 2019. University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2H1. 20 pp. |
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Belanger, R.J., L.J. Hecker, L.T. Dewart, S.E. Nielsen, and M.A. Edwards. 2018b. Ronald Lake wood bison research program: Annual report 21 December 2018. University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2H1. 30 pp. |
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Belanger, R.J., L.J. Hecker, S.E. Nielsen, and M.A. Edwards. 2018a. Ronald Lake wood bison research program: Semi-annual report 2018. University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2H1. 16 pp. |
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Belanger, R.J., C.A. DeMars, L. J. Hecker, M.A. Edwards, and S.E. Nielsen. 2017. Ronald Lake wood bison annual report: November 30, 2017. Ronald Lake Bison Report. University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2H1. 76 pp. |
Reviewer
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Forest Ecology and Management |
Environmental Conservation |
Ecology & Evolution |
Research Experience
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2023-Present |
Contract Biologist Athabasca-Chipewyan First Nation Provides guidance on field methodology and analytical techniques. Also, provides support to field work and general project guidance. Supervisors: Dr. Darren Epperson |
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2022-Present |
Contract Biologist Parks Canada Conduct literature review of vital rates of the genus Bison for a population viability analysis for Wood Buffalo National Park. Supervisors: Drs. Kevin Hawkshaw & Gregory Wilson |
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2022-Present |
Contract Biologist Parks Canada Compares composition, and nutritional value of diets of two bison subspecies (plains and wood bison) from Elk Island National Park. Supervisors: Drs. Rob Found & Jonathan Demoor |
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2021-Present |
Contract Biologist Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Fairbanks, Alaska Conducted spatial analyses to determine bison herd ranges, movement metrics, and habitat selection in different age/sex groups. Supervisor: Tom Seaton |
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2017-Present |
Graduate Research Fellow / PhD Candidate, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB Designed and carried out PhD dissertation studying nutritional ecology of wood bison involving year-round fieldwork and extensive spatial analyses. Advisers: Dr. Scott Nielsen & Dr. Mark Edwards Committee: Dr. Edward Bork |
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2016-2017 |
Field Supervisor, VITOL, St. Thomas, USVI Organized and trained field crews to assist in collection and identification of icthyo-/phyto-plankton near a permanently anchored vessel. Supervisor: Dr. Sennai Habtes |
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2014-2017 |
Research Assistant, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA Worked with an interdepartmental group to design, circulate, and publish results of a survey exploring what geospatial skills wildlife professionals should possess. Supervisor: Dr. Tim Bean |
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2016 |
Field Technician, University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas, USVI Assisted in the collection and tagging of green sea turtles for long term monitoring and research related to their movement. Supervisor: Dr. Paul Jobsis |
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2013-2016 |
MSc Candidate, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA Designed, acquired funding for, and carried out an MSc thesis investigating habitat selection in northern Pacific rattlesnakes at multiple spatial scales. Adviser: Dr. Sharyn Marks; Committee: Dr. Tim Bean, Dr. Lowell Diller, Dr. Mark Hemphill-Haley |
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2015 |
Field Technician, O’Brien Biological Consultants, Eureka, CA Conducted surveys of the endangered marbled murrelet in accordance with US Fish & Wildlife surveying protocols in redwood forests. Supervisor: Brit O'Brien |
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2014 |
Instructional Student Assistant, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA Represented my department in an interdisciplinary group tasked with designing a geospatial information system program for graduate students. Supervisor: Dr. Jim Graham |
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2013-2014 |
Research Assistant, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA Curated the herpetological research and teaching collections after they were moved to a new facility. Supervisor: Dr. Sharyn Marks |
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2012-2013 |
Research Assistant, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT Worked with colleagues from Museo de La Plata in Argentina to study differences in Peccary species’ cranial features using museum specimens. Supervisor: Dr. Margaret Rubega & Susan Hochgraf |
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2011-2013 |
Independent Study, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT Prepared and curated over 30 avian specimens for the research collections and taught other students and post-docs preparation techniques. Supervisor: Dr. Margaret Rubega & Susan Hochgraf |
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2010-2013 |
Field Supervisor, University of Maine, Orono, ME Taught field technicians how to identify and survey Maine’s amphibian species by sight and sounds at all life stages and led field research activities. Supervisors: Dr. Luke Groff, Dr. Cynthia Loftin, & Dr. Aram Calhoun |
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2012 |
Field School, Entabeni Wildlife Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa Completed a field course in African wildlife ecology including workshops teaching mist-netting, track and sign, and venomous snake handling. Supervisor: Dr. Morty Ortega |
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2009 |
Field Technician, University of Maine, Orono, ME Assisted a MSc in forestry with their fieldwork in the Penobscot Experimental Forest including identifying tree species and measuring water table levels. Supervisor: Collin Calhoun |
Conference Participation
Oral Presentations
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2020 |
Latitudinal plasticity in American bison (Bison bison) diets. Northern Research Day, Edmonton, Alberta |
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2017 |
Habitat suitability and selection of Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus oreganus) at multiple spatial scales. Society for Northwest Vertebrate Biology Annual Conference, Blue Lake, California |
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2016 |
Habitat suitability and selection of Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus oreganus) at multiple spatial scales. California State University Student Research Competition, Bakersfield, California |
Poster Presentations
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2022 |
Migration leads to nursery herd formation in a wild wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) population. International Bison Convention, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan |
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2020 |
Latitudinal plasticity in American bison (Bison bison) diets. Forest Industry Lecture Series, Edmonton, Alberta |
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2019 |
Functional macronutrient selection by a large herbivore, the North American bison (Bison bison). American Bison Society Conference & Workshop, Santa Fe, New Mexico |
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2019 |
Migratory behaviour of a free ranging wood bison (Bison bison athabascae) herd. Northern Research Day, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta |
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2018 |
Influence of oil sands exploration on the foraging ecology of wood bison (Bison bison athabascae). Canadian Oil Sand Innovation Alliance Annual Forum, Calgary, Alberta |
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2016 |
Hibernaculum selection by Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus oreganus) in Humboldt County. IdeaFest, Arcata, California |
Field Trips Led
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2017 |
Rattlesnake hibernaculum site visit. Society for Northwest Vertebrate Biology Annual Conference, Blue Lake, California |
Grants
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2020 |
Northern Scientific Training Program: $4,000 |
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2020 |
University of Alberta Northern Research Awards: $3,000 |
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2019 |
Northern Scientific Training Program: $3,000 |
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2019 |
University of Alberta Northern Research Awards: $2,400 |
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2018 |
Alberta Conservation Association’s Challenge Grants in Biodiversity: $12,435 |
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2018 |
Northern Scientific Training Program: $2,040 |
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2018 |
University of Alberta Northern Research Awards: $3,200 |
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2015 |
Humboldt State University Master’s Student Research Grant: $450 |
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2014 |
Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Fund, American Museum of Natural History: $1,652 |
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2014 |
Humboldt State University Master’s Student Research Grant: $400 |
Adjudicator
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2020 |
Northern Scientific Training Program & University of Alberta's Northern Research Awards |
Teaching Experience
Lecturer
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Spring 2022 |
WLE 470: Wildlife Policy and Aministration Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, University of Maine |
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Fall 2021 |
Bio 329/331: Vertebrate Biology Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Conservation Biology, University of Maine |
Teaching Assistant
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2018-2020 |
RENR 205: Wildlife Biodiversity and Ecology Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta |
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2018-2019 |
RENR 201: Introduction to Geomatic Techniques in Natural Resource Management Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta |
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2015-2016 |
Department of Biological Sciences, Humboldt State University |
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2013-2016 |
Department of Biological Sciences, Humboldt State University |
Guest Lecturer
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2020 |
"A critique of the wildlife aspect of an environmental impact assessment" Environmental Assessment Principles and Methods Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta |
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2019 |
"A critique of the wildlife aspect of an environmental impact assessment" Environmental Assessment Principles and Methods Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta |
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2017 |
"Northern Pacific Rattlesnake habitat selection at multiple spatial scales" Department of Biological Sciences, Humboldt State University |
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2016 |
"Northern Pacific Rattlesnake habitat selection at multiple spatial scales" Department of Biological Sciences, Humboldt State University |
Students Supervised
Senior Theses
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2019-2021 |
Aidan Sheppard, BSc student, University of Alberta. “The influence of winter conditions on bison movement.” Funded by NSERC. |
Field Technicians
|
2019 |
Aidan Sheppard, BSc student, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB |
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2018 |
Alex Coley, BSc student, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS |
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2018 |
Neal Josephs, BSc student, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC |
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2015 |
Shayda Abidi, BSc student, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA |
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2015 |
Shelby Daniel, BSc student, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA |
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2015 |
Szuzanna Gooris, BSc student, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA |
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2015 |
Spencer Murphy, BSc student, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA |
Related Professional Experiences
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2016–2017 |
Guide Manager, Virgin Islands EcoTours, St. Thomas & St. John, USVI Trained guides, wrote the guide manual, and taught guests about island history and identification of local flora and fauna. Supervisor: Sybille Sorrentino |
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2014–2015 |
Assistant Animal Caretaker, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA Coordinated schedules with other students to clean, feed, and monitor animals in the live animal collection facility. Supervisor: Dr. Sharyn Marks |
Community Outreach
Publications
|
2022 |
Rawleigh, G.J. & L.J. Hecker 2022. The Ronald Lake wood bison herd: observations from their home. Nature Alberta. Summer 2022. |
Oral Presentations
|
2020 |
Ronald Lake Bison Herd Technical Team, Fort MacMurray, AB |
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2020 |
Graduate Research Talks Environment and Conservation Society, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB |
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2019 |
Ronald Lake Wood Bison Project Ronald Lake Bison Herd Technical Team semi-annual meeting, Fort McMurray, AB |
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2019 |
Ronald Lake Wood Bison Research Program: Semi-annual research results and update, May 2019 Ronald Lake Bison Herd Technical Team semi-annual meeting, Fort McMurray, AB |
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2018 |
Ronald Lake Wood Bison Research Program: Semi-annual research results and update, November 2018 Ronald Lake Bison Herd Technical Team semi-annual meeting, Fort McMurray, AB |
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2018 |
Ronald Lake Wood Bison Research Program: Update & 2018 Research Objectives Ronald Lake Bison Herd Technical Team semi-annual meeting, Edmonton, AB |
|
2016 |
Habitat suitability and selection of Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus oreganus) at multiple spatial scales Zoology Club, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA |
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2015 |
Amphibians of the north coast Earth, Water, and Fire Day, Eel River Recover Project, Garberville, CA |
Participation
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2021 |
Presentation judge for Northern Research Day University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB |
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2019 |
Métis Days Fort McKay, AB |
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2017 |
Ronald Lake Wood Bison Herd Technical Team semi-annual meeting Fort McMurray, AB |
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2014-2016 |
Provided assistance with daily responsibilities at local ranches Big Bend Ranch, Maple Creek, CA |
Field Trips Led
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2019 |
Elk Island Wood Bison Trail Hike Waskahegan Trail Association, Elk Island National Park, AB |
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2015 |
Boy Scout Troop 54 visits rattlesnake hibernacula Maple Creek, CA |
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2015 |
Firefighters visit rattlesnake hibernacula Maple Creek, CA |
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2015 |
Rattlesnake handling workshop Maple Creek, CA |
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2014 |
Rattlesnake handling workshop Maple Creek, CA |
Honors and Awards
|
2020 |
Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship: $12,000 |
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2020 |
Second place oral presentation, 24th annual Northern Research Day, University of Alberta |
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2016 |
Outstanding Student Research Award, Humboldt State University |
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2007 |
Eagle Scout |
Professional Skills and Certifications
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Programming languages: R, html |
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Experienced using programs: Microsoft Office, ArcGIS, MaxEnt, Google Earth |
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Extensive backcountry research, backpacking, camping experience |
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Citizen of the United States of America and Canada |
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2018 |
CPR, first aid, and emergency oxygen provider certified |
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2018 |
Chemical immobilization of wildlife |
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2018 |
Snowmobile safety certified |
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2018 |
Chainsaw safety level II certified |
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2018 |
Wilderness first aid level III certified |
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2017 |
ATV safety certified |
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2016 |
SCUBA: Open Water, Deep Water, and Nitrox |
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2016 |
Completed Ritz Carlton’s “Legendary Service” customer service training |
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2015 |
Marbled Murrelet survey training |
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2012 |
Track and sign level II certification |