IN THE FIELD

HANDS IN THE DIRT

Throughout my career I've been lucky to work in some incredible landscapes doing hands-on wildlife, restoration, and conservation work. Most of that time I've worked alongside other technicians, volunteers, rangers, students, and agency biologists who have shaped how I think about connecting field work with big-picture conservation goals. My approach to field work is rooted in curiosity and willingness to learn, teamwork, and respect for the ecosystems I work in.

Group of field biologists taking a break

Wildlife

Desert tortoise in the field
Weighing a desert tortoise
Mojave rattlesnake in the sand
Horned lizard in the sand

Reptiles

Primarily my field work has centered around the monitoring of Gila monsters, and Mojave desert tortoises in the Mojave desert. See my research page to learn more about my work with Gila monsters! My work with Mojave desert tortoises has included radio-telemetry, post-fire mortality assessments, relocations, USFWS protocol clearance surveys, and supervising crews and volunteers. I’ve also supported work on speckled rattlesnakes and general reptile sign surveys across sand dune and rocky habitats.

Mammals

My experience with mammals has primarily been in collaboration with state and local agencies in Utah. I’ve monitored kit fox den sites to track occupancy, pup development, and behavior over time. I’ve also helped with beaver relocations, assisting in transmitter attachment, and monitoring recovery. Additionally, I assisted with bat mist-netting and white-nose syndrome monitoring. Internationally, I spent time working in Kruger National Park, helping with wildlife monitoring, conducting game drives, assisting in necropsies, and supporting anti-poaching efforts.

Kit fox peeking out near its den
Bat in hand
Beaver on a table for sedative administration
Giraffe in the wild
Wildlife biologists on a boat for marine surveys
Eagle eye shot looking at a fish in a dip net, snorkeling
Juvenile pike in a photarium
Two biologists completing a sein haul

Fisheries

I've assisted with biannual native fish monitoring on the Virgin River, working in close-knit crews to conduct full-pass seining, hoop-netting for Virgin River chub, backpack electrofishing, and habitat mapping. I’ve also snorkeled for woundfin and other desert fishes, paying attention to flow patterns and microhabitat use. During a study abroad at Heron Island Research Station in Australia, I spent long days free-diving and snorkeling to study coral reef fish behavior. I also completed an ichthyology course at APSU, where I learned to identify regional fish species and practiced common sampling and survey methods.

Conservation & Habitat Restoration

Native plants set out to be planted
Restoring Desert Habitat

Multi-year planting and monitoring of thousands of native plants in National Conservation Areas

Group of volunteers in the Mojave desert
Invasive Weed Management

Herbicide and hand-removal of invasive plants in sensitive wildlife habitat.

Forest river habitat
Trail Work

Trail maintenance and building to maintain safe access routes in public lands.

Biologist standing in the bed of a truck with chainsaws
Fuels Reduction

Chainsaw and fuels work as a USFS B-Faller thinning pinyon–juniper stands and removing hazard trees.

Toroise crossing sign on a trail
Public Land Stewardship

Supporting signage, fencing, and visitor outreach in desert National Conservation Areas.

up close image of a bee pollinating yelllow flowers
Pollinator Conservation

Designing synthetic bee nests and monitoring parasitic wasps at the USDA Bee Lab.