Andy Grinstead Email & Phone Number

Bloomington, In, Us

I work as a habitat specialist, focusing on designing and restoring natural habitats to support biodiversity. My role involves everything from assessing sites and selecting native plants to preparing and maintaining the land. I collaborate with landowners and managers locally and sometimes internationally, helping to create pollinator habitats and ensuring projects align with environmental goals and regulations. I also manage budgets, coordinate staff, and lead workshops and trainings for land managers and field staff ranging from the intersection of agriculture and pollinator management to technical natural resources stewardship certification , making sure we’re all on the same page for sustainable habitat restoration.

I manage a multi-state program focused on enhancing pollinator habitats, which includes coordinating technical trainings for landowners, organizing seed collection teams, consulting on habitat creation, and leading outreach efforts. I oversee the entire project—from training staff and volunteers to setting up networks for collecting, cleaning, and distributing plant materials across states, while also securing long-term habitat pledges. Writing grant proposals is also a big part of my role, helping us expand the program’s reach. I chair a national task force for pollinator habitat, where we’ve developed resources like habitat management guides and ecoregional planting guides. I manage budgets, collaborate with partners to outline project goals and timelines, and regularly report on progress and accomplishments to both the board and grant organizations.

Bloomington, Indiana, United States

I managed the University’s Honors and Awards portfolio, overseeing initiatives that recognize outstanding faculty and staff. This includes organizing award committees and working with the Alliance of Distinguished and Titled Professors. I also curated recognition displays, such as award plaques and walls, and plan signature events for annual awards and historical recognitions. This role involved advising nominators on developing strong dossiers, preparing presidential briefings, and creating written materials for events and online. I also handled requests for lectureships and grants and lead engagement efforts, collaborating across departments to ensure we meet our project goals effectively.

Fort Collins, Colorado, United States

I worked on environmental planning projects, preparing assessments, master plans, and strategic plans for a range of clients, from private companies to federal agencies. My work included collaborating on federal travel management plans, conducting field mapping, and evaluating trails on public lands in the Western U.S. I also carried out biological surveys, vegetation assessments, and construction site monitoring to ensure compliance with stormwater regulations. Communicating complex natural resource topics is key, so I facilitated public meetings to engage with stakeholders and government officials. I analyzed GIS data, managed geodatabases, and created maps for a variety of ecological and community planning-based projects. Additionally, I prepared budgets, work proposals, and developed renewable energy permit applications and resource assessments for solar and wind projects.

Longmont, Co

I worked on a variety of conservation and restoration projects, monitoring native plant populations, soil stability, flood recovery, forest health, and post-burn areas to assess ecological conditions. fieldwork was diverse — including floristic sampling as a field botanist, leading planting for ecological restoration, building fences, maintaining irrigation systems, managing invasive species, and collecting native seeds. I also sponsored youth conservation corps projects, guiding their work in restoration. Part of my role included maintaining a native plant nursery and seed garden for Parks and Open Space. I supported wildlife by modeling prairie dog habitat suitability, surveying for Preble’s meadow jumping mouse, conducting fish inventories with electrofishing, and helping with beaver management efforts.

Fort Collins, Colorado

I supported graduate students by sharing information about program details and helping to keep communication clear and accessible. I assisted with creating an online forum on the CSU Canvas platform, giving students a space to connect and share resources. Additionally, I evaluated and graded exams, assignments, and papers, keeping records to ensure up-to-date progress in the program.

Fort Collins, Colorado Area

- Collect forest regeneration, survival, and composition data in collaboration with private and public organizations- Measure forest tree and understory characteristics, monitor vegetation for fuels characterization and sampling- Build micro-meteorological sensor stations to measure in situ soil and atmospheric conditions

Loveland, Co

- Coordinate simultaneous education programming including naturalist-led hikes, school field trips, special request programs, community festivals, and summer campground program series- Organize, plan, and implement volunteer projects with field staff on parks and open spaces- Lead hikes and field trips for schools, community groups, and public- Produce marketing materials and press releases for program outreach

Saint Paul, Mn

-Analyze GIS data and produce maps for use in internal and public meetings, and for inclusion in master plan documents-Develop Parks and Trails Division strategic plans, program plans, system plans, environmental review documents, and legislative studies-Establish vision, goals and objectives for Division; identify complex or controversial issues; facilitate public input; incorporate implementation and monitoring systems; produce technically sound and defensible recommendations

Fergus Falls, Mn

-Provide supervision, motivation, and direction to a diverse group of Corps Members-Facilitate a variety of field trainings including chainsaw and hand tool use and maintenance, invasive plant removal, and herbicide application-Work alongside crew to restore shorelines, prairies, and wetlands; manage prescription and wildland fires; identify and remove exotic species; enhance and maintain trails-Manage project logistics on the service site in partnership with the project host-Coordinate public relations for community awareness of program accomplishments

Bloomington, In

-Direct activities on the job site, plan employee work schedules, supervise landscape maintenance personnel, and evaluate worker performance-Install new and maintain existing landscape and hardscape projects-Communicate between clients and management, handle client concerns

Nashville, In

-Rehabilitate and control erosion on 4.8 miles of hiking trails-Restore oak understory on 40 acres of Forest Bank land-Collaborate with the Brown County Native Woodlands Project to identify and treat invasive plants -Assist Project Director with environmental assessments and baseline easement documentation reports on Forest Bank properties and TNC land acquisition projects

Master Of Natural Resources Stewardship, Ecological Restoration

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Outdoor Recreation & Resource Management

Major emphasis of study: human-resource relationships and interactions in outdoor recreation and leisure services, environmental.

Education record

Advance through a semester-long leadership and instructorship, individual and group management training program; develop outdoor technical.