The North Coast Coho Project (NCCP) seeks to restore wild coho salmon and steelhead trout populations to viable and self-sustaining numbers through coordinated efforts with a wide-array of project partners while utilizing the best available science and management practices. I assist the NCCP Project Director in developing and managing a large suite of individual fish habitat restoration projects in Humboldt, Mendocino, and Sonoma counties in Northern California. Project scopes are typically aimed at improving fish passage barriers; reducing stream sediment inputs through the decommissioning of legacy timber roads; and enhancing instream rearing and spawning habitats, primarily through the introduction of large wood. Working with partners from state/federal agencies, private timber companies, conservation groups, and private landowners, the NCCP has secured over $30 million dollars to date for the restoration of salmon and steelhead stream habitats. These funds have been used to re-open over 80 miles of stream habitat to fish following barrier removals and passage improvements, save over 500,000 cubic yards of sediment from entering fish-bearing streams, and install instream large wood in over 125 miles of stream habitat.

I worked as the project biologist for a large-scale wood restoration Before-After Control-Impact (BACI) experiment aimed at increasing over-winter and over-summer survival of coho salmon and steelhead in Pudding Creek in Mendocino County, CA. The project includes several year-round effectiveness monitoring components which are generally focused around biological and physical habitat assessments. I managed the field components of the project as well as assisted with data management/analysis, writing project reports and publications, and presenting project information to managers, partners, and the general public.

I worked as a member of the field crew on the Mendocino County Regional Coastal Salmonid Population Monitoring Project (CMP). My duties mainly consisted of conducting spawning ground surveys, electrofishing surveys, and habitat surveys. I also assisted with the trapping and tagging of adult and juvenile salmonids, and scale reading/analysis.

I worked as a fish habitat specialist and field crew leader on the Asotin Creek Intensively Monitored Watershed (IMW). My duties mainly consisted of monitoring instream fish habitat using the Columbia Habitat Monitoring Program (CHaMP) protocol, conducting electrofishing surveys for Chinook salmon and steelhead, conducting mobile PIT tag surveys, and maintaining PIT tag array interrogation sites. I also assisted with data management/analysis, and aided in the implementation and monitoring of a large-scale, high-frequency wood restoration project within the study area.

I assisted with the propagation, growth, and planting of several thousand native plants used to revegetate exposed reservoir terraces following dam removal. Also participated in a large bull trout relocation project in preparation for dam removal. I also assisted with gear purchasing, inventories, and any other field tasks as needed.

Collected various biological and chemical samples from seven study lakes in Vilas County, WI on a bi-weekly basis. Assisted with the laboratory analysis of all collected samples, gear purchasing, and gear maintenance.