Forest and Natural Resource Management
​My approach to land stewardship is built on a foundation of advanced silvicultural science and interdisciplinary planning.
My academic training at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies included a curriculum that met the technical thresholds of the Society of American Foresters, providing a deep foundation in forest health, hydrology, and resource economics.
This foundational experience has coupled well with implementing improved forest and ecosystem management throughout my career, particularly in supporting disaster mitigation projects within the context of Nature-Based Solutions. By bridging the gap between rigorous academic theory and practical field application, I help federal agencies and non-profits navigate the complexities of managing protected lands and resilient infrastructure.​
Forest School | CT (1992-1994)
A sampling of projects include:​
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Trustees of Reservations - Swift River Reserve Management Plan (MA): Led an interdisciplinary capstone team that produced a comprehensive management plan for The Trustees of Reservations. My role focused on aquatic resource assessment using U.S. Forest Service classification systems and the design of sustainable, low-impact trail layouts.
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USDA Forest Service – Pacific Northwest Research Station (AK): Served as a research intern in the summer of 1993 at the Forestry Sciences Laboratory in Juneau. I supported a variety of research initiatives, including long-term forest monitoring and aquatic ecology research focused on salmon habitat restoration efforts.
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Glacier Bay National Park (AK): Conducted line-transect population surveys of Marbled and Kittlitz’s Murrelets aboard a research marine vessel in Glacier Bay National Park to establish foundational data for species monitoring.
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Volunteer for Outdoors Washington & Washington Trail Association - Iron Goat Trail & other trails (WA): Participated with Volunteers for Outdoor Washington (VOW) and the Washington Trails Association (WTA) on the multi-phase reclamation of abandoned railway grades. Utilizing civil engineering and carpentry skills, I executed structural trail improvements, heavy timber stabilization, and drainage systems to manage slope stability.
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Nature Conservancy & Mountaineers Club - Volunteered with The Nature Conservancy and Mountaineers Club (Seattle, WA) on habitat restoration work and participated in a multi-year initiative in Connecticut to re-establish a native bog ecosystem through invasive species management and native vegetation planting.
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City of Woodinville - Wilmott Gateway Park (WA): Managed a riparian restoration program that eliminated a rip-rap river barrier and introduced woody debris to mimic natural riparian patterns and processes.
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King County Conservation District - Board Member and Board Chairperson: Supported work of the Board including planning support and habitat restoration programs.
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National Park Service and Harvard Kennedy School of Government: Post-degree internship supporting work of strategic planning program (Vail Agenda)
USDA Forest Service
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During the summer of 1993, I served as a research intern at the USDA Forest Service Forestry Sciences Laboratory in Juneau.
My work focused on assisting scientists with data collection and field observations aimed at understanding the complex successional patterns of disturbed and old-growth temperate rainforests. A supplemental portion of my internship was dedicated to aquatic ecology research supporting regional salmon habitat restoration efforts.​
Silviculture and Aquatic Research | Tongass National Forest | Southeast Alaska (1993)​
Trustees of Reservations | Swift River Reservation
Petersham, Massachusetts (1993-1994)
For my technical contribution, I focused on aquatic ecology and helped develop the GIS analysis. I used U.S. Forest Service classification systems to assess the health of the streams and the stability of the banks. This data informed our recommendations, which were included in the final management plan to connect field findings with long-term conservation goals.
Management Planning for Protected Areas: Swift River Reserve
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The capstone sequence at Yale synthesized advanced ecological theory with professional management practices through two core courses: Management Plans for Resource Management and Forest Conservation for Diversity and Productivity. These courses explored the balance between timber health and ecological resilience while navigating the regulatory frameworks of protected areas.
As part of an interdisciplinary team, I co-authored a comprehensive management plan for The Trustees of Reservations for their Swift River Reserve in Massachusetts. This initiative provided the non-profit with a strategic roadmap to preserve unique biological features while maintaining the site’s value as a public resource.
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Glacier Bay National Park
At the end of the Forest Service internship season, I served as a volunteer for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) during a comprehensive survey of Marbled and Kittlitz’s Murrelets in Glacier Bay National Park (Alaska).
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Working aboard a research vessel, I assisted the scientific team with population counts and behavioral observations using line-transect methods.
This survey was an inter-agency effort, providing critical data that researchers still use today to track the long-term stability and habitat use of these species in Alaska’s changing marine environment.
US Fish and Wildlife Service | Glacier Bay National Park (1993)
Iron Goat Trail
The Iron Goat Trail is an interpretive route in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest that preserves the railroad archaeology of the abandoned Great Northern Railway. During subsequent phases of the project, which expanded the trail into a continuous loop and extended access to the historic Horseshoe Tunnel, I contributed to the manual construction and stabilization of the path.
My volunteer work involved clearing overgrowth to re-establish the historic rail grade, grooming the tread to ensure proper drainage, and cleaning water bars to mitigate slope erosion. These efforts supported the long-term preservation of the corridor and maintained the trail’s accessibility for public education and recreation.
Iron Goat Trail | Washington State (1992-2014)​
Wilmott Gateway Park
The Wilmott Gateway Park eliminated a rip-rap river barrier introducing natural elements such as woody debris that mimic the natural riparian patterns and processes. The project was a scenic respite from the numerous multi-story parking garages.
As a Heavy Civil Laborer, I surveyed grades for site improvements, operated a backhoe, and installed storm drainage. I also supported the asphalt paving subcontractor, worked on architectural concrete, and assisted with site management.
Wilmott Gateway Park | Washington State (1997)
