Chad joined WEST as a permanent employee in October 2009 but has been working as a temporary field technician with WEST for the past two years. Chad is a 2008 graduate of the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology Management and Environment and Natural Resources. Chad is currently pursuing a M.S. degree in Rangeland Management and Renewable Resources at the University of Wyoming. Chad has over three years of experience conducting biological field studies. His work primarily focuses on sagebrush ecosystems and has experience conducting black-footed ferret surveys, raptor nest surveys, greater sage-grouse lek counts, pygmy rabbit surveys, mountain plover surveys, burrowing-owl surveys, swift fox surveys, and habitat mapping. Chad has assisted with regulatory work for industry, conducted road and wildlife monitoring, and has assisted with a GPS/VHF telemetry study on wintering mule deer.
Chad is currently conducting two greater sage-grouse telemetry studies aimed at identifying potential impacts from wind energy development to distribution, movement, population demographics, and habitat selection of greater sage-grouse. Chad assists project managers in completing specific field and office duties associated with each project; tracking and helping control the progress of projects; and is also responsible for knowing project tasks and protocols as well as the overall completion schedules.
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