Catherine Pruett JD MPA
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Partner Conbio Consulting 2010 - Bozeman, MT
EDUCATION
Master of Public Administration, Environmental Science and Policy
Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs, New York, NY
Doctor of Jurisprudence
(natural resources and environmental law emphasis) · 2002
Willamette University College of Law, Salem, OR
Order of the Barristers
Bachelor of Arts – Geography
(biology and land use planning emphasis) · 1997
University of Hawai'i, Hilo, HI
Relevant cumulative coursework:
Applied Earth Systems Management ·
Biogeography · Biostatistics · Climatology · Conservation Biology · Ecology · Environmental Chemistry · Environmental Ethics & Justice · Environmental Economics and Policy · Environmental Law · Environmental Planning · Earth Systems & Environmental Policy · GIS · Hydrology · International Relations of the Environment · Land Use Planning · Natural Resources Law · Natural Resources Management · Nonprofit and Public Finance · Public Management · Real Estate Transactions Law · Water Resources Law · Zoology
Law Clerk, Oregon Department of Justice
2000 – 2001 - Salem, OR
Conducted research and prepared briefs for civil rights matters focused on procuring appropriate educational accommodations for children with disabilities
Law Clerk. Chris Bocci & Associates
2001 - 2002 - Salem, OR
Conducted research and drafted briefs for general litigation matters, pursuant to state and federal regulations, case law and public policy
Contract Attorney, Davis Levin Livingston Grande
2002 - Honolulu, HI
Resolved complex civil cases through mediation, arbitration, trial and appellate court practice · Analyzed client exposure in light of contractual terms, factual history, case law, statutory law, public policy and local and national litigation trends
Attorney, Henderson Gallagher Kane
2002 – 2004 - Honolulu, HI
Ascertained the drivers of corporate donorship and investment trends in conservation projects, with a particular focus on carbon credit projects
Attorney, Betts Patterson Mines/Gordon & Polscer
2004 – 2009 - Seattle, WA
Resolved multi-million dollar, complex cases through mediation, arbitration, trial and appellate court practice· Analyzed client risk exposure in light of contractual terms, factual history, case law, statutory law, public policy and local and national litigation trends
Intern, Wildlife Conservation Society
2010 - Bronx, NY
Evaluated anthropogenic impacts on protected areas and biodiversity
Consultant The Nature Conservancy
2010 - New York, NY
Identified critical range, conservation status, fecundity and foraging needs of and threats to eight species of wildlife in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem· Conducted geospatial analysis; reviewed all pertinent public agency land and wildlife management plans that impact the focal species · Provided recommendations for strategic policy tools to be implemented in the Western Governors’ Association’s Wildlife Corridors Initiative
Consultant American Wildlands
2009 -2010 - Bozeman, MT
Current projects include: evaluation of status of the Western Governors’ Association’s Wildlife Corridors Initiative; wildlife adaptation to climate change; and identification of management plans that may be implicated by projected distribution of flora and fauna in light of anticipated impacts of climate change in the Western states
Developed and directed an endangered wildlife rehabilitation and release facility in coordination with the Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources. Designed and administrated thriving veterinary practice, including covering all business matters
VOLUNTEER AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONSERVATION EXPERIENCE
Current member Board of Directors for the Global Insular Conservation Society, an organization dedicated to preserving species and habitat through education, conservation and research.
Prior member Board of Directors for the Progressive Animal Welfare Society, providing legal advice and assisting in oversight, outreach and fundraising for wildlife rehabilitation and shelteranimal initiatives, and volunteering in Wildlife Center.
Co-managed environmental policy graduate students on invasive species legislation project.
Tracked population of threatened waterfowl with the Washington State Fish & Wildlife Service.
Assisted with multiple fundraising events for Hawai’i Island Humane Society and the Progressive Animal Welfare Society· Monitored endangered species with the University of Hawai'i Marine Options Program.
Surveyed nesting sites and behavior of endangered birds and turtles.
Assisted with Washington State coastal oil spill clean-up and wildlife rescue.
Participated in University of Hawai'i climatology research project
RECENT WRITTEN WORK
Pruett, C. and B. Sommermeyer. 2010. Multijurisdictional wildlife management in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem – assessment and recommendations for a more cohesive approach toconservation planning.
Pruett, C. 2009. Using federal surface transportation program dollars to ensure safe wildlife passage.
Pruett, C. 2009. Nature matters. An examination of Aldo Leopold’s Land Ethic.
RECENT PRESENTATIONS
Panel presentation. Public Management: Improving parks and recreation through innovative management. Columbia University, New York, NY, November 2009.
Paper presentation. Multijurisdictional wildlife management in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem – assessment and recommendations for a more cohesive approach to conservation planning. Bozeman, MT, February 2010.
Paper presentation. H.R. 669: Non-native Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act. Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management. Columbia University, New York, NY, August 2009.
Panel presentation. Bringing anadromous fish back to the Bronx River: a comprehensive restoration project. Ecology and Biodiversity. Columbia University, New York, NY, August 2009.
Panel presentation. Ecotourism: a positive tool for developing countries? Environmental Economics and Policy Analysis II. Columbia University, New York, NY, March 2010.
Panel Presentation. 2009 National fuel policy – CAFÉ standards. Earth Systems and Environmental Policy Management. Columbia University, New York, NY, November 2009.
Panel Presentation. Carbon tax: sound economic strategy for combating climate change. Environmental Economics and Policy Analysis I. Columbia University, New York, NY, December 2009.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Society for Conservation Biology (North America Section; Freshwater Working Group;
Ecological Economics and Sustainability Working Group)
Hawai’i State Bar (Environmental Section)
Washington State Bar (Natural Resources Section)
Co-owner, Administrator, Aloha Veterinary Center
1993 – 1997 - Hilo, HI
Represented buyers and sellers in real property sales transactions, ensuring that culturally and environmentally sensitive areas remained protected
Realtor, Clark Realty Corporation
1998 – 1999 - Hilo, HI
Assisted in preparing permits for land-use related cases, based on environmental assessments and impact statements, planning authority reports and county zoning codes
Land Use Planning Intern, Carlsmith Ball and Hawai'i County Planning Department
1998 – 1999 - Hilo, HI
Researched and drafted materials for the Financial Fraud Division, pursuant to consumer regulations