Our Projects
Summit Research Presenter
Colorado Pollinator Summit 2024
Denver, CO
Presented my research, Monitoring Bees and Wasps Through Their Nesting Materials, at the Colorado Pollinator Summit in 2024 at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Bee hotels are fabricated tools for monitoring bee and wasp communities. My study evaluated the use of installed bee log hotels on five different Open Space properties in Longmont and shared recommendations for best practices for using bee log hotels as a management practice for long-term population monitoring of wood-nesting pollinators.
Field Biologist
Regalis Environmental LLC
Longmont, CO
Supported a pilot study of pinyon jays in partnership with the Bird Conservancy of the Rockies and the BLM by conducting surveys in the Dawson Creek project area within the Tres Rios Field Office in Southwest Colorado. This project aimed to analyze pinyon jay behaviors and their frequency in relation to various forest management treatments, including control and heterogeneous/homogeneous thinning polygons.
As part of this initiative, I provided a comprehensive summary of findings, challenges encountered, and recommendations for future surveys.
Botanist
The Watershed Center
Longmont, CO
Supported The Watershed Center in ecological evaluations for forest management projects by conducting pre-project vegetation monitoring, including plot and transect establishment, forest inventories, and understory vegetation assessments. Led plant identification and canopy cover measurements, ensuring data accuracy through rigorous quality control. Recorded and managed field data, using tablets for data entry and providing technical support as required. Collaborated with other contractors for plant identification and contributed to overall project success by adhering to established protocols.
Avian Biologist
Biohabitats
Lafayette, CO
Hired to conduct point counts and line transect bird surveys on several OSMP locations for Lafyette’s 2023 WPM.
Research Grant Awardee
Ecosystem Management Group
Longmont, CO
The research proposed to The City of Longmont was awarded a full grant to conduct pollinator monitoring. This study aims to evaluate the use of installed bee log hotels on five different open Space properties in Longmont. To do so, Circle Ecology (CE) will record the nest plug composition, depth, resin color, and intactness of each cavity at each of the seven sites and identify a value for each newly drilled bee log hotel based on the number of active nest plugs and determined diversity. CE will also determine the emergence success for the bee logs that were installed in 2021. This study adds to a growing body of literature on factors driving native pollinator community dynamics. ln addition, it will produce quantifiable data to evaluate this management practice and provides recommendations for best practices in bee log hotels for native pollinators.
Research Associate
AloTerra Restoration Services
Fort Collins, CO
Hired by AloTerra Restoration Services to research and determine the Federal Highway Administration’s (FWHA) definition of pollinator value and determine that value for seven species of interest. The species of interest was provided by John Giordanengo. This information provides AloTerra’s restoration team with pollinator-specific information for their seed mix. This report aims to provide data of documented observations and resources of the determined pollinator values and definition.
Field Biologist
Collective Ecological Consulting
Littleton, CO
Hired as a subcontractor to conduct golden eagle monitoring and data analysis at Wildcat Ridge for Ken Caryl Ranch Association. Assisted with determining the protocols and methodologies for the survey, navigated to remote observation points, records observations, and enters data. This short-term study will help to determine which area(s) and habitat(s) of Wildcat Ridge the resident Golden Eagles use throughout the breeding season.
Field Technician
Monarch Joint Venture
St. Paul, MN
Monitored monarch butterflies for the Integrated Monarch Monitoring Program. Collected milkweed, nectar plant, and monarch use data from a variety of land-use types and regions of the south-central United States.
Responsible for navigating to pre-selected sites to perform vegetation surveys. Described features of sites, counted monarch host plants (milkweeds) in quadrats, identified all forb species in the survey area, quantified blooming plants, examined milkweeds for monarch eggs and larvae, and counted adult monarchs. Trained others in the integrated monarch monitoring program protocols. Managed calendar for site visits and maintained contact with MJV partners. Maintained, organized, and entered field data.
Biological Surveys
Wildlife Specialties LLC
Lyons, CO
Hired as an on-call biologists to conduct biological surveys for Colorado clients of open space and parks programs, energy developments, and residential developments. These surveys are to determine the occupancy of target species within the project area including nesting Western Burrowing Owls, Preble’s Meadow Jumping Mouse, active raptor nests, and habitat assessments. In 2023, CE was subcontracted to conduct migratory bird surveys for the City of Lafayette’s Wildlife Management Plan. In 2024, CE was subcontracted to conduct wildlife surveys for a baseline study for an inactive mine site in Paradox Valley. These surveys were used to determine the occupancy of target species within the project area, including nesting Western Burrowing Owls, Gunnison Prairie Dog, Gunnison Sage Grouse, active raptor nests, and habitat assessments. While on site, CE documented three additional species of concern, Pinyon Jays, Midget Faded Rattlesnake, and Dark Kangaroo Rat.
Environmental Compliance & Data Analysis
Front Range Nesting Bald Eagle Studies
Boulder, CO
Assist with compiling data using GPS, Excel and ArcGIS, managing quality control and surveying observations of nesting Bald Eagles in the Colorado Front Range. Established a methodology for collecting behavioral data and monitoring of nesting paired Bald Eagles. Wrote results on post-fledge dependence of offspring from nesting paired Bald Eagles. Organized six years of behavioral data to publish a larger comprehensive study on nesting Bald Eagle’s behaviors and community context. Assisted Boulder County Parks and Opens Space with their goals to protect critical habitat for this species of special concern by advocating for a site-specific Bald Eagle management plan to be required on open space preserves.
Mapping Nesting Raptors & Other Rare Fauna
Sagebrush Advisors
South Dakota
Collaborate with Sagebrush Advisors in conducting watershed-scale and special-status wildlife surveys within the Black Hills National Forest. Our survey methodology targeted four raptor species: Northern Goshawk, Cooper’s Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, and Broad-winged Hawk. Mapped species of interest including mountain lions and smooth green snake, as well as habitats of interest including springs and bat roosts. This project is expected to continue through nesting seasons of 2020.
Species Distribution Study
Collective Ecological Consulting
Colorado
Analyzing the distribution, abundance, and diversity of wildlife species in Lone Mesa State Park and Golden Gate State Park for planning purposes through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Assisted with monitoring 30 locations where breeding bird surveys were conducted, and wildlife cameras were established at each park. Documented bird species within the Parks and helped analyze photos collected on wildlife cameras. Contributed to writing vegetation assessments and species life history reports. Data will be used in the future planning of the Parks.
Beehive Management
Butterfly Pavilion
Westminster, CO
Provided care for Butterfly Pavilion honey bees, including feeding, monitoring population growth, installing packages/nucs, monitoring pathogen and parasite levels, and inspecting hives. Assisted with research projects and honey extraction. Recorded accurate records of weekly inspections, maintenance actions, parasite loads, evidence of pathogens, queen health, feeding regimen, honey production, and general animal health. Competent in Microsoft Access database for documenting details of hives. Repaired and assembled hive equipment as needed.
Beehive Management
4B’s Honey
Boulder, CO
Managed hundreds of beehives located within Boulder County on both private and open space land. Established an inventory/monitoring system to organize details on hives health, pathogen and parasite levels, as well as honey production. Assessed hive health based on integrated hive management techniques and reared queens. Assembled, reconstructed and supplied the farms equipment.
Botanical Surveys
Adaptations Environmental Services
Carlsbad, NM
Conducted botanical surveys for the Bureau of Land Management. Identified known occupied areas and potential habitats for special status plant species in sagebrush habitat.
Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator
Colorado Native Bird Care & Conservation
Lyons, CO
Provided care to injured, sick and orphaned birds. Effectively handled animals to decrease stress levels and collected samples of animal feces, blood, saliva, feathers, and fur to analyze health. Assessed injury or illness through careful observation. Calculated and administered medication and subcutaneous fluids. Recorded detailed observations and tasks on animal charts and followed wildlife husbandry protocols. Assisted with managing and constructing outdoor aviaries. Managed program volunteers and educated them on wildlife husbandry.
Environmental Compliance Specialist
Newfields Environmental & Engineering LLC
Primm, NV
Biologist for Silver State South Solar Project to keep First Solar in compliance with all environmental guided plans. Surveyed line transects points to monitor avian nest activity among sagebrush habitat and identified a wide range of bird nests and vegetation. Recorded signs of desert tortoise and possible desert tortoise predations.
Migratory Bird Surveys & Botanical Surveys
Bird Conversancy of the Rockies
Colorado
Passed an intensive aural distance estimation test of Colorado land birds prior to conducting any fieldwork. Monitored land birds for the Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions program. Utilized a spatially balanced sampling design to monitor avian species occurrence and population sizes in various Colorado habitats. Responsible for verifying access permission among public and private landowners to survey bird and raptor populations. Navigated to remote survey locations and conducted point count bird surveys and recorded vegetation.
