Ben Riegel Email & Phone Number

Independently created client-side web applications and tools using HTML, CSS, andJavaScript. Developed application framework using React and associated tools (e.g.redux, next.js). November 2021 – September 2023Created and maintained interactive web map for university course at San FranciscoState University (https://pgeproject.netlify.app/). Independently developed HTML,CSS, and JavaScript code for the website (see https://github.com/BenRiegel/pge-v2).JavaScript code developed without the aid of external web mapping api’s. January2018 – May 2018, May 2021 (maintenance work)

North Cascades National Park

Independently developed SQL queries and Python scripts to extract and analyze data from park’s MySQL backcountry-use database. Created series of maps in ArcGIS to visualize relative use levels at over 100 backcountry camps and 60 cross-country zones.Led the development of a wilderness character monitoring protocol for the Stephen Mather Wilderness. Researched inter-agency framework for monitoring wilderness character. Worked with park staff to identify and refine a series of indicators and measures. Compiled, processed, and analyzed spatial and non-spatial data for selected measures. Wrote 100-page summary report outlining the park’s official wilderness character baseline assessment.

Research Triangle Park, Nc

Led the development of high-resolution (1-m) land cover maps for the cities of Green Bay, Wisconsin and Portland, Oregon. Processed dozens of 4-band NAIP digital orthophoto quarter quads. Acquired and extracted data from several hundred discrete-return LiDAR tiles. Mapped six land cover classes using machine-learning (Genie Pro), object-based (ENVI Feature Extraction), and regression-tree (“randomForest” package in R) tools. Wrote metadata for final results. Helped develop standard operating procedures for mapping land cover and performing accuracy assessment. Provided critical input on the development of ecosystem services models based on land cover classification maps.

Research Triangle Park, Nc

Developed maps of tree canopy height and above-ground biomass density for the territory of Puerto Rico. Acquired and processed six remote sensing datasets for entire island. Developed SQL queries to extract tree-height and biomass data for 400 sample plots from Forest Service’s Forest Inventory and Analysis database. Developed regression-tree models using “randomForest” package in R. Appliedmodels to predictor datasets to create maps of tree canopy height and above-ground biomass.

Chapel Hill, Nc

Created custom python scripts in ArcGIS that estimated locations of breeding bird survey stop locations from route data. Used discrete-return LiDAR data to create vertical vegetation profiles for survey stop locations and compared results to field estimates.

Durham, Nc

Provided technical assistance for a graduate-level introductory course on remote sensing. Evaluated and provided feedback on weekly laboratory exercises and class projects, and served as an expert-level information resource for students. Wrote lab assignment and delivered guest lecture for unit on LiDAR remote sensing.

Durham, Nc

Successfully planned and carried out field vegetation sampling plan. Developed allometric equations for predicting diameter at breast height from diameter at ground level for 14 species of trees. Calculated total above-ground carbon biomass for 76 vegetation plots at the Timberlake Restoration Area in eastern North Carolina. Independently developed regression equations for predicting total above-ground biomass from vegetation attributes derived from discrete-return LiDAR and high-resolution digital imagery.

Durham, Nc

Processed and analyzed discrete-return LiDAR data to extract information on vegetation density and structure for 76 vegetation plots at the Timberlake Restoration Area in eastern North Carolina. Reviewed literature on previous studies that used LiDAR to model above-ground carbon biomass.

Silva, Nc

Reviewed research about the ecological impacts of roads on southern Appalachian forests. Independently compiled and analyzed GIS data to predict which roads on the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest are most likely to be eroding and where erosion is most likely to have negative impacts on watersheds in western North Carolina.

Levenworth, Wa

(Summers only) Conducted four- and five-day solo backcountry patrols in three designated wilderness areas. Educated backcountry visitors about “Leave No Trace” wilderness practices; enforced backcountry permit rules; documented visitor impacts; maintained backcountry campsites, toilets, fire pits, and trail signs. Helped plan backcountry restoration projects and supervised volunteer groups during implementation. Served on security team for Columbia Complex fire.

Master Of Environmental Management, Ecosystem Science And Conservation

Certificate in Geospatial Analysis

M.A., Philosophy

Concentration: political philosophy, environmental ethics

B.A., Philosophy