Zach Storc Email & Phone Number

Indianapolis, IN, US

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Lawrence, Kansas, United States

• Graduate Research Assistant, Kansas Biological Survey and Center for Ecological ResearchAug 2021 – Dec 2021, May 2022 – Dec 2022, May 2023 – Aug 2023, May 2024 – Jun 2024 | 20 hrs/wk
• Assisted with prairie restoration research projects in the Baer Ecology Lab
• Collected data on plant community composition within long-term ecological restoration plots at Konza Prairie
• Collected soil and plant biomass samples and assisted in laboratory processing of samples
• Entered field data and performed quality control to ensure accuracy of entered data
• Organized and maintained project data on long-term plant species composition

Franklin Grove, Illinois, United States

• Surveyed tallgrass prairie restoration plantings and adjacent wetlands and streams for invasive plant species and removed using backpack herbicide sprayers/hand tools
• Collected and processed native seed from prairies and wetlands for use in new restoration plantings
• Performed prescribed burns, gaining experience in a wide variety of roles and scenarios within prescribed fire operations, including the use of off-road vehicles with tank sprayers
• Operated chain pole saws to remove tree branches along fire lines to maintain heavy equipment access
• Maintained site buildings, field equipment and fencelines; removed old fencing from newly acquired property
• Recorded invasive species populations and completed work areas using ArcGIS Field Maps

Roselle, Illinois

• Provided customer service and field support to large scale landscape maintenance clients, regularly inspecting client sites, resolving issues, and providing proactive site management recommendations
• Made proposals and work orders for landscape work to be done, including the design of site enhancement projects such as new plantings and drainage improvement plans using landscape architecture software
• Coordinated with senior account managers and field staff to effectively communicate job task details, relay site conditions, and address unexpected issues to ensure quality and timeliness of work
• Maintained full responsibility for managing a small portfolio of landscape maintenance accounts, serving as the main contact for property managers to manage site priorities and projects from proposal to invoice

Virgil, IL

• Administered the production schedule for 400+ varieties of nursery and greenhouse grown plants on a 250-acre farm, creating both weekly, and long-term production plans from propagation to sellable size
• Coordinated with site growers, sales team, and external suppliers to plan for production needs and ensure timely delivery of production materials needed for the nursery
• Entered production data to maintain accurate accounting of current inventory and materials used
• Inspected horticultural crops for quality to ensure accurate production inventory and plan for potential losses
• Maintained trial plant garden and assisted with weeding, watering, and moving nursery plants

Mundelein, Illinois

• Applied fertilizers and pesticides to turfgrass, perennials and woody plants to improve plant health and treat and prevent weeds, plant diseases, and insect pests
• Performed dormant pruning to maintain the structure and health of ornamental trees and shrubs
• Assisted teams across departments (maintenance, construction, irrigation, snow removal) to better understand company-wide operations and ensure consistent quality in service
• Assisted in supervising work and organizing field project logistics by obtaining supplies and equipment, transporting crews, and making site visits/inspections to ensure quality of work

Naperville, IL

• Applied my knowledge of ecology and plant identification to assist ecologists in implementing ecosystem restoration projects in woodlands, wetlands, and prairies located within the Cook County Forest Preserve District.
• Safely prepared and applied herbicide for control of woody and invasive plant species within large tracts of land using backpack sprayers, performing regular equipment maintenance as needed
• Facilitated native woodland regeneration by using chainsaws and brush cutters to remove invasive trees and shrubs and hand pulling to remove invasive herbaceous plants
• Conducted prescribed burns as part of a prescribed burn crew, gaining a better understanding of the operations and procedures involved in safely maintaining wildland fire areas

Franklin Grove, Illinois, United States

• Assisted with the restoration and management of ~4000-acre Nachusa Grasslands tallgrass prairie preserve
• Led the seasonal restoration crew daily in scouting and removal of invasive plants with herbicide/hand tools, and in identification and collection of native seeds found in a variety of environmental conditions
• Created native seed mixes and planted new restoration areas using trucks with seeding trailers
• Maintained site headquarters and equipment, and assisted with hosting site events
• Performed a variety of tasks to help prepare for the reintroduction of bison, including bison fence construction, carpentry projects, and chainsaw work to remove trees around fence lines
• Assisted researchers on and off site with ecological data collection

Batavia, Illinois, United States

• Assisted the staff restoration ecologist in helping to improve and maintain Fermilab’s 1000-acre Main Ring Prairie restoration, along with a variety of other prairie, woodland, and wetland restoration projects
• Learned to safely mix and apply herbicides and use gas-powered/hand tools for invasive species management, and identify native and invasive plant species within a variety of ecosystems
• Collected native seeds, hand planted native shrubs, and assisted with volunteer workdays
• Entered and organized field data to help keep track of invasive species populations and seed collection sites
• Assisted with vegetation surveys and wildlife monitoring in a wide variety of natural areas to gain a better understanding of ecosystem health in sites of varying disturbance

Lisle, Illinois, United States

• Aided with organizing and planning the Arboretum’s 2012 symposium on tallgrass prairie restoration
• Prepared conservation education documents and entered historical written data on plant communities
• Assisted with prairie plant surveys and field data collection, exposing me to the identification and ecology of the native and invasive plant species of the area
• Performed weekly hands-on prairie restoration tasks such as removing invasive/woody vegetation with hand tools and collecting native seed under the direction of the natural areas manager and volunteer stewards
• Assisted the soil science research lab weekly in processing, recording, and analyzing data for soil samples taken from a variety of research projects

Master Of Arts - Ma, Ecology And Evolutionary Biology

Master's Thesis: Planting Year Climate Explains Variation in Community Assembly in Developing Prairie

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Environmental Science

Biology/Biological Sciences, General