Nicholas Plants Email & Phone Number

Ridgefield, Washington, United States

Lead biologist for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's Zebra and Quagga mussel early detection monitoring program. As project lead and manager, I supervise eight staff who sample hundreds of waterbodies across the state of Washington and collect data from nearly sixty sites a week. Early detection sampling methods include eDNA, plankton tows, ponar grabs, artificial substrates, visual shoreline assessments, and water quality measures such as temperature, pH, and dissolved calcium concentration.

Marquette, Michigan, United States

• Led crews in various electrofishing surveys and stream habitat surveys across the entire Great LakesBasin in a wide range of environments• Use ATV’s, boats, kayaks, hiking 6+ miles a day to get to sites• Monitor lamprey traps, record and process data for population estimates, take fin clips, animal care,transport animals for research according to established protocols• Plan and coordinate field activities• Maintain, coordinate and deploy field equipment• Use power tools in shop to build/repair traps, electrofishing gear and other various projects• Work and collaborate with outside crews/agencies to accomplish their tasks• Work independently in the field• Problem solve on the spot, make repairs in the field using what’s available• Communicate to large crowds during outreach programs• Work under the view of the public (land access, answering questions, etc.)• Inspected/maintained dams and barriers• Drive upwards of 20,000 miles a season in GOV’s; towing boats, trailers, etc. on both highways andtwo-tracks

Minocqua, Wisconsin, United States

• Removal of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) by hand harvesting and Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting(DASH)• Identify aquatic plant species and comprehensive elimination• Perform consulting and plan management while working hand-in-hand with the Wisconsin DNR• Collect and analyze data for over 30 lakes• Prepare technical and research reports and communicated to individuals in the industry, government orgeneral public• Identify complex mechanical and biological problems; analyze and evaluate options to implement winwin solutions• Work in team environment, learned the importance of collaboration in a group with diverse members inoverwhelming situation• Operate large watercraft in lakes and trailered boats to and from locations of up to 2 hours at a time.• Haul and empty multiple 80-pound bags of plant material to dump site daily

Masters Of Natural Resources, Aquatic Biology/Limnology

Thesis on aquatic invasive species management

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Ecology, 3.0

Masters Of Natural Resources, Aquatic Biology/Limnology