Michael Tuma

Michael Tuma Email and Phone Number

Principal Biologist, Authorized Biologist, Permitting Specialist @ FirstCarbon Solutions
irvine, california, united states
Michael Tuma's Location
Los Angeles, California, United States, United States
Michael Tuma's Contact Details

Michael Tuma personal email

n/a
About Michael Tuma

I am a Wildlife Biologist who assists clients with complying with environmental laws such as the Endangered Species Act, California Environmental Quality Act, and National Environmental Policy Act, among others. I have diverse experience in technical biological work, including population and habitat assessments, rare plant and wildlife surveys and monitoring, vegetation community and wildlife habitat restoration, and population and habitat modeling, among other surveys, assessments, and studies. I have additional experience conducting anthropological, archaeological, and paleontological research. I am skilled in project management, staff management and mentoring, and client and agency engagement. I am a proponent of using science to develop smart environmental policies and to advance issues pertaining to biological conservation and biodiversity.I am an expert in implementing advanced field data collection techniques and methodologies during studies of tortoises and other chelonians, including translocation, headstarting, radio telemetry, protocol health assessments, collection of blood/tissue samples, morphometric measurements, and radiography. I have provided training to and directed teams of biologists who have carried out these activities on projects involving dozens of tortoise study subjects. I have been authorized to conduct these activities by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Kenya Wildlife Service, and several state agencies, including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Nevada Department of Wildlife, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. My research interests include population biology, evolutionary ecology, herpetology, and applied conservation, particularly of turtles and tortoises. My most recent work involves use of aerial drones and AI to conduct surveys for the Critically Endangered bolsón tortoise in Mexico and the Mojave Desert tortoise in California and Nevada. I am currently employed as Principal Biologist at FirstCarbon Solutions. I serve on the Desert Tortoise Council Board of Directors and Assistant Editor for the journal Herpetological Conservation and Biology.

Michael Tuma's Current Company Details
FirstCarbon Solutions

Firstcarbon Solutions

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Principal Biologist, Authorized Biologist, Permitting Specialist
irvine, california, united states
Employees:
71
Michael Tuma Work Experience Details
  • Firstcarbon Solutions
    Principal Biologist
    Firstcarbon Solutions Apr 2020 - Present
    San Bernardino, California, United States
    In this role I am responsible for biological surveys and reporting pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance, preparing regulatory permitting packages and performing consultations in support of California Fish and Game Code Section 2081 Incidental Take Permit applications, and mentoring biologists.
  • Resi
    Senior Research Associate
    Resi Apr 2021 - Present
    In this position, I am assisting with research into the use of aerial drones and AI to survey for Mojave desert tortoises and bolsón tortoises.
  • Ecorp Consulting, Inc.
    Senior Biologist
    Ecorp Consulting, Inc. Apr 2020 - Sep 2023
    Redlands, California, United States
    In this position I was responsible for biological surveys and compliance monitoring, and desert tortoise translocations and monitoring.
  • University Of Southern California
    Adjunct Professor
    University Of Southern California Mar 2019 - Mar 2022
    Los Angeles, California
    In this volunteer position, I pursued field research into critically endangered tortoises, including bolsón tortoises in north central Mexico and pancake tortoises in East Africa.
  • Bargas Environmental Consulting
    Principal Biologist/Archaeologist
    Bargas Environmental Consulting Apr 2019 - Mar 2020
    Redlands, California
    In this position, I was responsible for managing projects, mentoring staff, assisting in the direction of the company, and pursuing business opportunities.
  • U.S. Geological Survey (Usgs)
    Ecologist
    U.S. Geological Survey (Usgs) Jan 2017 - May 2019
    Riverside, California
    As an Ecologist with the Western Ecological Research Center, I assist clients and partners with scientific research that contributes to sound management of desert ecosystems in California. I am currently working on several projects, including evaluations of techniques (translocation, head starting) used to manage or augment desert tortoise populations in the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, health assessments of desert tortoises, and analyses of desert tortoise population response to anthropogenic threats.
  • West, Inc.
    Senior Ecologist
    West, Inc. Mar 2015 - Jan 2017
    Redlands, California
    In this position, I was responsible for managing projects, conducting ecological analyses and documentation in support of project permitting and compliance, mentoring project staff, and developing West's presence in California.
  • Ecorp Consulting, Inc.
    Senior Biological Program Manager
    Ecorp Consulting, Inc. Oct 2013 - Mar 2015
    Redlands, California
    In this position I was responsible for project and program management, business development, client management, agency consultations, staff mentoring, technical report writing, and regulatory permitting.
  • Swca Environmental Consultants
    Senior Biologist
    Swca Environmental Consultants Mar 2013 - Sep 2013
    Pasadena, California
    In this position, I performed high-level environmental consulting duties, primarily technical in nature, including management of large, complicated, and specialized projects, leading agency consultations, mentoring natural resources staff, reviewing documents produced by staff for technical and regulatory consistency, and contributing to proposal efforts.
  • Swca Environmental Consultants
    Natural & Paleontological Resources Program Director
    Swca Environmental Consultants Jun 2012 - Mar 2013
    Pasadena, California
    My responsibilities in this position include program, staff, project, client, and agency management; oversight of technical aspects for projects involving paleontological, biological, and other natural environmental resources; and mentoring of junior staff scientists. My duties also include setting the vision for the program, developing relationships and business with clients, and writing proposals and directing proposal efforts.
  • Swca Environmental Consultants
    Senior Biologist
    Swca Environmental Consultants Jan 2010 - Jun 2012
    Pasadena, California
    In this position, I performed high-level environmental consulting duties, primarily technical in nature, including management of large, complicated, and specialized projects, leading agency consultations, mentoring natural resources staff, reviewing documents produced by staff for technical and regulatory consistency, and contributing to proposal efforts. I served in this position while also taking classes full-time at the University of Southern California in pursuit of a Ph.D. degree.
  • Swca Environmental Consultants
    Natural Resources Program Manager
    Swca Environmental Consultants Nov 2008 - Dec 2009
    South Pasadena, California
    My responsibilities in this position included project and staff management, providing technical oversight for projects involving biological resources, mentoring junior staff in technical and regulatory aspects of projects, leading proposal efforts, and reviewing all natural resources documents produced by SWCA’s Pasadena office for technical and regulatory consistency. I grew the natural resources program from a one-person operation to a program of six full-time biologists through my business development efforts.
  • Swca Environmental Consultants
    Biologist/Archaeologist
    Swca Environmental Consultants Apr 2003 - Oct 2008
    Mission Viejo & South Pasadena, California
    In this position, I was responsible for conducting background research, fieldwork, and laboratory investigations, and producing technical reports for projects for involving both biological and cultural resources ranging from small surveys to long-term data collection studies. For projects involving biological resources, I performed database and literature reviews, surveys and field data collection, construction monitoring, and technical documentation. For projects involving cultural resources, I conducted file searches, Native American consultation, field surveys, site testing and significance evaluations, research designs, data recovery programs, construction monitoring, and technical documentation for a variety of archaeological projects, including survey, testing, and mitigation projects. Soon after starting in this position at SWCA, I began managing projects. This included not only being a technical expert, but also an expert in selling consulting services to clients, which required a strong working knowledge of laws, policies, and ordinances that protect environmental resources. This position also required the ability to develop proposals, scopes of work, and estimated project budgets; execute and administer contracts; assemble project teams to implement contracted tasks; maintain project oversight to meet budgetary constraints; obtain change orders from clients for out-of-scope work; oversee technical and regulatory aspects of project work; consult and coordinate with agencies; ensure client satisfaction with project deliverables; maintain client relationships for follow-on work; and market project successes to new clients.
  • Brian F. Smith & Associates
    Archaeologist/Faunal Analyst
    Brian F. Smith & Associates Oct 2000 - Apr 2003
    Poway, California
    I conducted archaeological surveys and excavations, analyzed faunal material, and wrote technical reports in the capacity of cultural resources principal investigator. I conducted file searches, archaeological surveys, site testing and significance evaluations; developed research designs for significance evaluation reports and data recovery and mitigation projects; and directed data recovery programs for archaeological projects in support of California Environmental Quality Act and National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 compliance. I led large crews on archaeological surveys and excavations, directed data analysis programs, and interpreted archaeological data in numerous written reports. My research specialty was zooarchaeological analysis, which entailed identification and analysis of animal remains (bones and shell) recovered from archaeological contexts, interpreting the data, and preparing reports.While working at Brian F. Smith & Associates, I developed a solid understanding of the regulatory environment in California, which is much more rigorous and complex than in other states I had previously worked. Additionally, I gained a passion and understanding of the prehistoric archaeology of coastal southern California.
  • Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc.
    Archaeologist/Faunal Analyst
    Cultural Resource Analysts, Inc. Jun 1998 - Oct 2000
    Lexington, Kentucky
    My duties in this position included managing technical aspects of projects, performing background research, conducting cultural resources (primarily archaeological resources) surveys and field data collection, conducting fieldwork and lab analyses, assessing National Register status of cultural sites, recommending further work for sites with potential National Register eligibility under Section 106 guidelines, and writing reports and technical documents. As a zooarchaeologist, I identified and analyzed faunal materials recovered from archaeological contexts, and interpreted the data in technical reports. This job was my first professional position as a consultant, and was an excellent introduction to environmental consulting. While working this position, I learned the concepts of billable work, project budgets, and working efficiently to maintain budgets and billability. I also learned about the laws that protect cultural resources, and the role of environmental consultants in helping their clients comply with them.
  • Mississippi Museum Of Natural Science
    Gopher Tortoise Biologist
    Mississippi Museum Of Natural Science Apr 1994 - May 1996
    Hattiesburg, Mississippi Area
    In this position, I served as principal investigator of a study examining the demography of gopher tortoise populations within DeSoto National Forest on lands leased by the Department of Defense for military training activities. I designed and conducted biological field research to determine the effects of environmental disturbances on the life history and population biology of the federally threatened gopher tortoise. The research I conducted included radiotelemetric observations of home range size, activity patterns, and habitat use; radiographic observations of clutch sizes in female tortoises; and collection of body measurements to determine growth and maturity rates. Additionally, I designed and conducted numerous gopher tortoise surveys, and assisted other biologists in threatened and endangered plant and animal studies and sampling surveys. I developed, implemented, and supervised tortoise mitigation projects surrounding military land use activities, and prepared reports, including technical study and survey reports, management plans, and National Environmental Policy Act documentation. I frequently coordinated with staff from several agencies, including the Mississippi Military Department, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the US Forest Service, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.In this position I successfully developed and implemented a research program for the first time in my professional career. As well, I learned important lessons and techniques for creating consensus among groups and agencies with various and disparate goals for land management and species conservation. In this position I also developed skills in managing staff and leading large field crews. The data I collected while working in this position will be included in my dissertation research at the University of Southern California.

Michael Tuma Skills

Endangered Species Ecology Nepa Mitigation Environmental Consulting Environmental Awareness Ceqa Natural Resource Management Natural Resources Data Collection Wildlife Biology Field Work Environmental Impact Assessment Wildlife Biology Environmental Science Gis Habitat Restoration Environmental Permitting Herpetology Ecological Restoration Endangered Species Act Project Management Proposal Writing Environmental Planning Cultural Resource Management Analysis Environmental Policy Technical Writing Program Management Fisheries Ornithology Staff Management Business Development Esa Evolutionary Biology Scientific Environmental Compliance Marketing Agency Coordination Field Data Collection Faunal Analysis Turtles And Tortoises Desert Tortoise Gopher Tortoise Renewable Energy Agency Consultation Population Modeling Ethnoarchaeology Biodiversity Cwa

Michael Tuma Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Michael Tuma

What company does Michael Tuma work for?

Michael Tuma works for Firstcarbon Solutions

What is Michael Tuma's role at the current company?

Michael Tuma's current role is Principal Biologist, Authorized Biologist, Permitting Specialist.

What is Michael Tuma's email address?

Michael Tuma's email address is mt****@****ing.com

What schools did Michael Tuma attend?

Michael Tuma attended University Of Southern California, The University Of Southern Mississippi, Eastern Illinois University, Truman State University.

What are some of Michael Tuma's interests?

Michael Tuma has interest in Scientific Research, Wildlife Photography, Environment, Native Plant Gardening, Herpetoculture.

What skills is Michael Tuma known for?

Michael Tuma has skills like Endangered Species, Ecology, Nepa, Mitigation, Environmental Consulting, Environmental Awareness, Ceqa, Natural Resource Management, Natural Resources, Data Collection, Wildlife, Biology.

Who are Michael Tuma's colleagues?

Michael Tuma's colleagues are Michael Duff, Mary Bean, Hannah C., Angela Wolfe, Spencer Churchill, Phil Ault, Vincent Bernardo.

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