Susan O'Neil Email & Phone Number

Seattle, Wa

Seattle, Wa

Conservation biologist and planner with over 15 years of experience spanning federal and state natural resources agency management, international land protection and community development, organizational strategic planning, facilitation, and locally-based recovery planning for rare species. Susan has worked for and with many non-profit organizations and professional networks to develop clear strategies towards goals, establish metrics to track progress, and implement tools for communicating and documenting decisions. Strategic planning is conducted with a track record of successful grant-seeking and years of grant-making to projects that span landowner assistance to multi-million dollar capital projects on public land. Member of international network of 'Conservation Coaches'.

Oversee policy and conservation planning projects and spearhead a fee for service arm of the organization. Serve as ‘conservation coach’ for regional and watershed recovery planning efforts for threatened Chinook salmon and Puget Sound steelhead. Facilitate statewide network of salmon recovery managers to share best practices and incorporate climate change in projects and planning. Develop strategies to address major infrastructure projects impacting salmon (Hood Canal Bridge, Ballard Locks).

Tacoma, Wa

Led a process to increase state funding for Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration fund, including overseeing technical and policy reviews of large capital projects, development of selection criteria, and a new approach to increase state funding for habitat and wildlife. Worked with King and Snohomish County staff and Tribes to develop locally-led watershed organizations to identify and implement actions for Puget Sound recovery as part of National Estuary Program (EPA). Managed federal and local jurisdictional contracts, including a “Farming with Salmon” program for the Snoqualmie Basin in collaboration with NOAA Community Restoration Program. Developed outreach and media materials for a Governor’s tour, legislative updates, and field visits by local elected officials with communication team.

Seattle, Wa

Managed grant programs for clients, including the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation’s Community Salmon Fund throughout Washington State: solicited proposals, coordinated technical review, marketed program, conducted project monitoring and site visits, and drafted annual reports for the Salmon Recovery Funding Board. Designed programs and developed grant proposals for clients, including American Farmland Trust to work with agricultural landowners on multi-benefit riparian restoration projects. Developed financial management systems for clients, including Seattle Public Utilities.

Seattle, Wa

Remotely managed conservation program in Papua New Guinea including oversight of €2M+ from German Development Bank including budgeting, tracking deliverables, strategic planning to expand existing programs, and restructuring financial systems for international compliance. Drafted management plan for the Yopno Uruwa Som Conservation Area in Papua New Guinea. Oversaw institutional giving program for annual operations and established endowment fund.

Sausalito, Ca

Drafted a regional monitoring plan for the San Francisco Bay Network of National Parks. Co-chaired vegetation technical working group for status and trends monitoring in eight national park units in San Francisco Bay Area. Developed and implemented long-term monitoring plan for endangered plant species. Supervised teams conducting field methods, species inventories, museum collections, GIS mapping and analysis. Authored chapters for USGS-NPS handbook on early detection monitoring for invasive plant species. Initiated and managed first natural resource program at John Muir National Historic Site.

Master'S Degree, Conservation Biology

Tropical Reforestation (Australia, 1996), Temperate Forest Management (British Columbia 1997)

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Biology