Thomas Moorman Email & Phone Number

United States

Habitat management for migratory birds and resident wildlife.

Memphis, Tn

Ducks Unlimited's Chief Scientist serves as the organization's leader on waterfowl and habitat science, provides continental vision and direction in addressing DU's science needs and ensuring that DU maintains its standing and credibility as a top notch science-based organization, and is a key spokesperson for DU on matters related to waterfowl biology and management at the national and international levels. The Chief Scientist has a leadership role in contributing to DU's national and continental conservation objectives through the advancement and application of waterfowl science. Provide leadership, guidance, and cohesiveness to DU's Science Team (a team of primarily waterfowl scientists and researchers located in NHQ and the four regional offices) to address science priorities, coordinating other internal ad hoc science-based teams created to address specific needs, and serving as the primary liaison to the board-level Conservation Programs Committee's Science Subcommittee. Serve as a principal liaison to DU Canada (DUC) and DU de Mexico (DUMAC) relative to waterfowl science and habitat management. This science-based linkage and active collaboration among the three organizations is key to promoting and maintaining a science-based, continental perspective in guiding DU's allocation of resources and continental conservation programs. Serve as a primary spokesperson for DU with respect to the diverse array of biological and scientific issues related to waterfowl and habitat conservation. Representing DU in activities related to the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, and serving as DU's representative on important national committees and inter-agency teams such as species joint ventures or action teams, committees/working groups of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, the North American Bird Conservation Initiative, the Association of State Wetland Managers, and similar groups..

Southern Region

Responsible for administration of DU conservation programs and public policy activities in 13-state Southern Region. Administer annual conservation program budget of ~$20-25M annually. Lead a team of ~50 conservation staff including biologists, engineers, engineering technicians, remote sensing/GIS analysts, finance and accounting staff, communications, and administrative staff to achieve annual conservation and financial objectives consistent with DU Strategic Plan and National Business Plan. Member of DU's national conservation leadership team, and national management team. Primary partnership contact for Southern Region state natural resource management agencies, and regional representatives of federal natural resource agencies. Primary conservation liaison for DU volunteers across the Southern Region.

Southern Region

Direct responsibility for science and public policy related to conservation programs in the Southern Region, predominantly through development of information to ensure that conservation programs and public policy efforts are supported by science and aligned with the DU mission, strategic plan, national business plan, and regional action plan. Worked directly with Government Affairs Office staff on DU’s strategic priority public policy issues, and lead efforts on regional public policy issues, to include contact with elected officials, agency partners, and coordination of volunteers to contact of elected officials regarding DU’s policy priorities. Served as coordinator for Southern Region regarding development of regional elements of DU Strategic Plan, National Business Plan and Regional Action Plan. Also coordinated regional conservation communications program. Direct supervision of Manager of Conservation Planning, Gulf Coast Joint Venture Biological Team Leader, and Government Affairs Representative, and coordinate day-to-day activities (direct supervision provided by Director of Communications, NHQ) of Regional Communications Biologist.

Southern Region

Responsibilities included administration of all aspects of conservation programs including budget and personnel administration, partnership development and partner stewardship, volunteer relations, assisting Development staff with fundraising efforts in seven states (KY, TN, MS, AL, MO, AR, LA), while also retaining previous responsibilities related to conservation planning and conservation communications as described below. Direct supervision of 3 Directors of Conservation Programs, Manager of Conservation Planning, Gulf Coast Joint Venture Biological Team Leader, and Conservation Communications Biologist. Specific duties included: (1) Administered ~$10M annual program budget to conserve 50,000 to 75,000 acres; (2) Worked closely with Director to manage budget, prepare and implement regional strategic operations and business plans; (3) Developed and/or maintained partnerships with various state and federal agencies; (4) Worked with Development staff to secure gifts from major sponsors and develop new revenue streams to enable completion of Ducks Unlimited conservation objectives; (5) Provide leadership and guidance to staff to enable them to complete work objectives and achieve progress for Ducks Unlimited towards its mission and vision; (6) Maintained previous duties and responsibilities regarding science and conservation planning and conservation communications for Southern Region.

Southern Region

Responsibilities related to most aspects of conservation programs in the Southern Region, predominantly through development of information to assure that conservation programs and policy positions were supported by science and aligned with the DU mission. Also secured funding for conservation programs from various private and public sources, and supervised regional conservation communications program. Supervised 2 regional biologists, 1 remote sensing/GIS analyst, and 3 remote sensing/GIS technicians. Specific duties included: (1) Synthesis of information on operations and relevant science to develop regional conservation strategies; (2) Guided development and integration of remote sensing and geographic information systems for landscape level wetland and waterfowl habitat evaluations; (3) Acquisition of funding from public and private sources to support directed research; (4) Served on Southern Region management team; (5) Prepared and presented proposals to various public and private sources to secure funding; (6) Developed and administered annual project and operating budgets; (7) Supervised regional conservation communications program; (8) Developed and synthesized technical information to assure programs and policy positions were supported by science; (9) Supervised landscape scale assessment of waterfowl foraging habitat, natural flooding, and other factors that resulted in significant changes to direct conservation program delivery; (10) Chaired group of Ducks Unlimited Inc., and Ducks Unlimited Canada conservation planning and science staff charged with development of the Ducks Unlimited Conservation Vision and Priorities document; (12) Represented Ducks Unlimited on technical committees, including the Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture (LMVJV) Science Support Team, LMVJV Waterfowl Working Group, and Gulf Coast Joint Venture Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Team, and served as GCJV Board representative for Ducks Unlimited;

Southern Region

Responsibilities included delivery and evaluation of DU waterfowl and wetland habitat conservation programs on lands held in public trust and development and management of partnerships with various state and federal agencies with trust responsibilities for waterfowl and wetlands habitat. Supervised 1 biologist.Specific duties included: (1) Secured funding through various grant programs to support regional conservation work for wintering and migrating waterfowl; (2) Worked closely with regional engineering staff to design wetland restoration projects and assure compatibility with waterfowl needs and state and federal agency desires; (3) Assisted Regional Operations Supervisor (now generally equivalent to a Director of Conservation Programs) with conservation program administration, including evaluation of MARSH grant proposals, development of project and operating budgets, development and maintenance of partnerships with various state and federal agencies with trust responsibility for waterfowl and wetlands, and coordination with fundraising staff and volunteers in 15-state Southern Region; (4) Prepared or coordinated multiple partnership-driven grant proposals to obtain funding from the North American Wetland Conservation Act and various private foundations and corporations and then administered grant contracts to complete conservation projects; (5) Worked directly with state and federal agency partners to achieve mutual waterfowl and wetland habitat conservation goals; (6) Assisted Director of Operations with preparation and administration of project and operating budgets; (7) Represented Ducks Unlimited on Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture Waterfowl Working Group.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Wildlife Ecology

Activities and Societies: The Wildlife Society AOU, COU, WOS

Master Of Science (Ms), Wildlife Biology

Activities and Societies: The Wildlife Society American Ornithological Society Wilson Ornithological Society Cooper Ornithological Society

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Zoology And Environmental Biology