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About Me

I am the Director of the Center for Conservation Innovation, where we focus on improving wildlife conservation in the U.S., especially under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We work at the intersection of science, technology, and policy to pioneer innovative, pragmatic conservation solutions. My team works with others inside and outside of Defenders to make conservation data available and easily interpretable, so that policymakers and the public can make informed decisions about conservation. I also serve as an affiliate faculty member in the Environmental Science and Policy department at George Mason University and as an adjunct professor for the Master of Energy and Environmental Management program at the University of Connecticut. Prior to joining Defenders, I was faculty at Middlebury College and served as a lead spatial data manager for the State of Vermont. I hold a Bachelor’s degree from Colby College and a Master's and Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut. 

RECENT PROJECTS

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Getting to 30x30 in the US

A Defenders report investigating the current state of protections for top biodiversity and carbon-rich areas in the US.

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Finding Refuge

A Defenders report analyzing the federally listed species protected by the National Wildlife Refuge System and the contributing refuge units.

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#MapMonday

A video series starring my GIS team that highlights the importance of GIS and maps to conservation by diving into specific Defenders' GIS projects.

OTHER RESEARCH

Earlier spring leaf-out or later leaf-drop in fall are thought to give invasive plant species an advantage over native species by allowing them extra time to harvest light for the season. However, the amount of extra light harvested may be influenced by the timing of others in the forest community. My research explores how this timing (phenology) impacts invasive and native plant success in forests.

Understanding patterns of biodiversity and the mechanisms that mold them is vital to accurately forecast the effects of global climate change on communities. Many studies to date only report on species richness for conservation which potentially ignores patterns in functionality and evolutionary history. I compared taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic biodiversity patterns for various taxa.

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