Stewardship Team - Staff
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies has a diverse team of talented Program Mangers and Wildlife Habitat Biologists that support our conservation delivery efforts with partners. Left to Right: Brittany Leslie, Jackson Ebbers, Emily Chavez, Jacy Bernath-Plaisted, Rachel Belouin, Zoe Moffet, Olivia Laws, Emma Califf, Kristin May, Reece Billings, Katherine Crawley, Codi Backen, Aaron Lewis, Anna Greenberg, Cassie Wolfanger, Ashley Mertz, Angela Dwyer, Kyle Deschenes, Brandt Ryder
Stewardship Staff
Chief Conservation Scientist (Fort Collins, CO)
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Brandt earned a Bachelors of Wildlife Biology from Unity College in (1999) and then went on to get a Ph.D. from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in (2008). Brandt’s dissertation focused on the demography and social behavior of tropical lekking birds. Prior to joining Bird Conservancy, Brandt worked for a decade as a research scientist for the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center focusing on the conservation and behavior of birds across their annual cycle. Brandt has published over 50 peer-reviewed papers on a diversity of topics including urban ecology, migration ecology, landscape ecology and behavioral ecology. Brandt enjoys the outdoors in his free time through hiking, running, and doing landscape and astrophotography.
(202) 297-7318
Stewardship Director (Fort Collins, CO)
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Emily holds a Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management from Colorado State University and a Master’s degree in Ecology from Utah State University. Between 2018 and 2021, she served as a Private Lands Wildlife Biologist in the San Luis Valley with Bird Conservancy. Additionally, Emily has worked in grassland and hydrology labs at CSU, worked for the Forest Service, and served as a National Science Foundation Climate Adaptation Science Fellow, during which she interned for USGS. In her leisure time, Emily enjoys walking her dog, soaking up the sun at her local crag, or immersed in a good book.
Grassland Program Manger (Fort Collins, CO)
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Sarah grew up in California where she completed her B.S. in ecology and evolutionary biology at UC Santa Cruz. Sarah has found a deep passion for stewardship and management by working in a variety of systems including coastal scrublands, pinyon-juniper woodlands, shortgrass prairie, and the alpine. Sarah completed her M.S. in ecology at Colorado State University, conducting a population assessment of burrowing owls nesting in eastern Colorado. Sarah is passionate about the conscious stewardship of working lands and looks forward to connecting with the people and communities that call the grasslands home. In her free time, she can be found doing a variety of outdoor activities including gardening, swimming, climbing, and enjoying the rugged stillness of nature. Or making small progress towards learning the piano.
Northern Great Plains Program Manager (Fort Collins, CO)
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Originally from Nebraska and raised in Texas, Angela moved to Colorado in 2010 and worked for Audubon Rockies on habitat restoration and at Colorado State University on several GIS vegetation mapping projects before joining Bird Conservancy in 2012. She studied waterbirds and received a Master’s Degree in Wildlife Management at Stephen F. Austin State University in 2006 and has been working with birds ever since. Prior to moving to Colorado, she was the conservation biologist for Audubon North Carolina from 2007 to 2010, chasing shorebirds on the beach. She loves exploring Colorado through birding, hiking, and skiing.
(970) 482-1707 x 17
Wetlands Program Manager (Fort Collins, CO)
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Growing up in Chicago, IL, Anna spent her early days searching for worms, frogs, and ducks. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Pittsburgh, where she worked on campus sustainability advocacy projects. After working as an outdoor educator in California and a member of the Aspen Skiing Company sustainability team in Colorado, Anna earned Master’s degrees in Ecosystem Science and Management, and Environmental Policy and Planning from the University of Michigan. Anna is excited that her work with the Bird Conservancy operates in the overlap between “doing” science and communicating science, as she is very interested in how land and wildlife conservation issues are addressed from a management standpoint and understood by surrounding communities. You can likely find Anna climbing or snowboarding while she waits for the climbing weather to return.
(719) 992-3672
Forests Program Manager (Fort Collins, CO)
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Nilanjana grew up in Maryland and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Behavior and English from Bucknell University and a Master’s Degree in Conservation Biology from Columbia University before moving to Colorado in 2015. She has spent nearly a decade as an urban forester helping to build greener, healthier and more resilient communities. Nilanjana is passionate about fostering stewardship through collaboration and communication and is thrilled to join the Bird Conservancy to support the restoration and management of forest habitats. In her free time, Nilanjana loves to hike and camp with her toddler, husband and two dogs.
Senior Wildlife Habitat Biologist (Woodland Park, CO)
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Kyle is originally from Florida where he grew up fishing, hiking, snorkeling, and watching wildlife. He earned his B.S. in Forest Resources & Conservation from the University of Florida with a minor in Wildlife Ecology & Conservation and a specialization in Environmental Law. Upon graduation, he moved to Colorado and began working as a naturalist with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. After a year of working in the state parks, he had the opportunity to become a wildlife technician working with mule deer, elk, and mountain lions. Kyle is extremely passionate about restoring wildlife habitat to its historical structure and function. In his free time, Kyle enjoys fly fishing and hiking with his dog.
(719) 472-3675
Senior Wildlife Habitat Biologist (Greeley, CO)
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Ashley was raised in Kansas and received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Wildlife Biology from Fort Hays State University (KS). After a brief internship in Kenya doing marine and terrestrial ecology, and providing sustainability workshops, she worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a biologist at both Aransas (TX) and Bosque del Apache (NM) National Wildlife Refuges. Hiking and exploring nature with her kids and husband fill most of her spare time, and she relishes a good podcast while running with her dog.
(970) 534-2296
Senior Wildlife Habitat Biologist (Gunnison, CO)
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Marcella grew up in Golden, Colorado and did her undergraduate at Western State College in Gunnison in 2011. She worked for Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service in Gunnison, as well as Oregon State University on a variety of projects. Marcella then studied sage-grouse diet and habitat use at Boise State University for her Master’s Degree. She enjoys gardening, skiing, backpacking, fishing, and living in the west!
(970) 249-8407 x 129
Wildlife Habitat Biologist (Alamosa, CO)
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Codi grew up in a small farming town in Nebraska, and earned her bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University. After graduating, Codi worked a plethora of seasonal technician jobs, including guiding visitors on black bear tours in Alaska, as a state park ranger in Northern Colorado, as a wildlife consultant in eastern Utah, before spending a few years as a field lead for a sea turtle conservation project in Hawaii. She received a Master’s degree in Wildlife Biology from Utah State University, studying Greater Sage-grouse survival and rangeland management. When Codi is not working, you can find her crocheting, fly fishing, or camping in the mountains with her dog, Birdie.
Wildlife Habitat Biologist (Jordan, MT)
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Reece is a 4th generation Montana sheep producer (born and raised in Jordan). Reece has worn many hats including as a heavy equipment operator, in a processing plant and as a wildland firefighter, he is currently on the volunteer fire crew in Jordan. In his spare time he enjoys hunting, fishing and spending time with his wife and 3 kids. He has always had an interest in wildlife and is excited for this new chapter.
Wildlife Habitat Biologist (Rocky Ford, CO)
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Emma is relocating to Rocky Ford from Southern Arizona, where she spent much of her time hiking and camping in the Sky Islands of the Sonoran Desert. In her previous role as a reptile and invertebrate keeper, she was dedicated to educating the public about the importance of respecting and cohabitating alongside groups of animals who are often feared or stigmatized. Emma holds a B.S. of Science from Iowa State University, where she studied biology with a focus on insect science, along with French language and culture. She intends to continue fostering her passion for wildlife in both her private and professional life as she directs her focus to conserving the diverse ecosystems of Colorado.
Wildlife Habitat Biologist (Chadron, NE)
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Originally from Missouri, Katherine and has had a love for all things wildlife from an early age. Katherine earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from Northwest Missouri State University in 2015. Her first experience working with various bird species and wildlife came in 2012 as an intern with United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as an intern at Baca National Wildlife Refuge. She continued working with game and non-game birds throughout her career with United States Geological Survey (USGS) in eastern Nebraska, working as an Assistant Scientist for a private consulting company, and with Nebraska Game and Parks Commission as a Private Lands Biologist in the Southern Panhandle of western Nebraska. Katherine’s favorite past times include hunting, hiking, shed hunting, and a strong passion for books and reading.
(308) 432-4616 x 3107
Wildlife Habitat Biologist (Trenton, NE)
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Jackson is originally from Cambridge, Nebraska, where he developed a passion for the outdoors at a young age spending many hours fishing and exploring the lake near his hometown. Jackson attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he earned his B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife. Jackson has gained experience working with wildlife and habitat management by working as a Conservation Technician for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission on public lands. He is currently working to finish his master’s degree in Agronomy specializing in Great Plains Studies. His work in graduate school focuses on examining roadside wildflower seeding and mowing regimes for the benefit of pollinating insects. In his free time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and spending time at the lake. Jackson is excited to move back to Southwest Nebraska as a Private Lands Wildlife Biologist so he can help preserve the grasslands that helped spark his interest in conservation.
Wildlife Habitat Biologist (Clovis, NM)
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Tucker grew up in Northern California, where friends and family helped instill a love of sun, rain, trails, and ocean mist. Since completing his Bachelor’s in Aquatic Biology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Tucker has had opportunities to learn from many amazing mentors and friends around the country while conducting wildlife field work. He discovered a love for birds in the cold Alaskan winter, and since then he has devoted much of his effort to avian conservation. His care for wildlife and wild spaces led him to Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, where he hopes to enhance his contributions to conservation and share his love for wildlife with others.
Wildlife Habitat Biologist (Wheatland, WY)
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Originally from North Dakota and U.S. Marine Veteran, Chandler was raised with a passion for wildlife and agriculture through hunting with his family and helping out on his grandfather’s farm. He received his bachelors in Integrated Studies with an empahsis in Wildlife Biology from Utah Valley University. He worked three seasons at Camp Williams, UT, where he accquired a love for working with bats and other small mammals. When not at work, Chandler loves to hunt, fish, and spend time with his wife and daughter.
Wildlife Habitat Biologist (Sterling, CO)
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Olivia earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife Biology in 2016 from Cal Poly Humboldt. She has always loved wild animals, and has actively worked in natural resource research, education and outreach across the country for the past several years. However, when she took a position working with wetlands there was no looking back. Since moving to Colorado she has worked with wetlands across the state. Passionate about stewardship and working with the public, Olivia has found the best of all worlds with the Bird Conservancy in Sterling. She enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, video games and spending time with her cat.
(970) 425-6491
Wildlife Habitat Biologist (Fort Morgan, CO)
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Aaron grew up on a farm in Missouri, where his childhood adventures in the Ozarks, swamps, and grasslands of Missouri searching for snakes and turtles sparked a lifelong passion for conservation. This early interest paved the way for a career dedicated to protecting wildlife and natural habitats. Aaron earned an undergraduate degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Management from Northwest Missouri State University and a Master’s in Environmental Management. While in graduate school, Aaron worked on a National Science Foundation research project studying thawing permafrost and forest fires in Siberia and their impacts on the global abiotic environmental conditions. This experience led him to explore science communication, resulting in the creation of documentaries and podcasts, and engaging in educational initiatives.
(970) 482-1707
Wildlife Habitat Biologist (Sturgis, SD)
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Originally from South Dakota, Kristin has a love and passion for everything outdoors related. Whether that is spending every weekend camping or spending many hours in the backcountry hiking. Kristin earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Rangeland Wildlife Management and Rangeland Ecology from Chadron State College in 2022. She is currently working on her Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Sciences: Integrated Resource Management Specialization. She also has studied and researched various large and small game wildlife with the Forest Service, through species such as grouse, various bat species, and bumblebees. She is excited to work directly with producers and the community to help enhance conservation efforts, along with restoring native grasslands and wildlife habitat.
(605) 347-4952 x 3012
Wildlife Habitat Biologist (Walsenburg, CO)
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Zoë moved from Connecticut to Colorado to earn her B.A. in Ecology at Colorado College (2017) where she worked with a crew of biologists studying Flammulated Owls near Woodland Park, CO. In the spring of 2020, Zoë worked as a bird bander and educator in Bandelier National Monument in Los Alamos, NM. In 2023, she finished her M.S. degree in Wildlife Biology at Utah State University where she studied Greater Sage-grouse nest depredation by the Common Raven. Now, she is thrilled to be back in Colorado working with private landowners to accomplish their forestry goals. In the outdoors, Zoë enjoys hiking and birding with her dog; indoors, she enjoys writing and running Dungeons & Dragons campaigns for her friends and family.
Wildlife Habitat Biologist (Montrose, CO)
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Originally from rural western New York, Cassie received a master’s degree in Environmental Science and Ecology from SUNY Brockport, where her research focused on land use and restoration influences on coastal wetlands of the Great Lakes. Previously, Cassie worked for the Vermont Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit with USGS on juvenile lake sturgeon and then Audubon Vermont as a conservation fellow/biologist, where her love and passion for birds took flight and never slowed. She’s most interested in conservation of threatened species and finding the best ways we can partner to steward the land for their survival, even in human-dominated landscapes, to coexist with wildlife and support agricultural sustainability at the same time. With a love of all animals, domestic and wild, Cassie enjoys spending her free time hiking with her dogs, riding horses, camping, paddling, hunting, fishing, and skiing.
Applied Conservation Scientist
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Jacy grew up in rural Michigan where he developed an early appreciation and respect for the natural world. Throughout his early career, Jacy worked on a diversity of ecological research projects spending time in the sagebrush of Wyoming, the backcountry of Sierra Nevada, the endangered Florida Scrub, and Long Point Bird Observatory on the shores of Lake Erie. In 2015, Jacy completed his master’s degree at the University of Manitoba where he studied the effects of energy development on grassland birds. After completing his doctoral degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2024, Jacy came to Bird Conservancy as an Applied Conservation Scientist—a position that has given him the opportunity to blend his scientific background with his strong interest in the conservation of grasslands and the wildlife and ecosystem services that they support. Jacy likes to spend his free time outdoors and enjoys hiking, camping, birding, running, and cycling.
(970) 482-1707 x 27
Program Assistant (Fort Collins, CO)
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Originally from the desert, Lauren earned her Bachelor’s of Science in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona in the Sonoran Desert of Tucson. She has worked as an avian field technician since graduating, including the 2021, 2022 and 2023 field seasons with the Bird Conservancy’s Mountains to Plains project. Her interest in avian evolution, behavior, ecology and conservation has been a life-long affair. In her free time she cooks locally sourced meals, reads Stephen King novels, and spoils her dog and husband.
