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Broadly talented writer, researcher, and analyst

Technical Reports ~ Blogs ~ Website Content ~ Social Media ~Fact Sheets ~ Video ~ Outreach

This Bird-Watching Activity for Preschoolers is Perfect for SpringTake your preschooler bird-watching in this fun springtime activity, designed to promote focus and introduce littles ones to the scientific method.

Blog Article

This Bird Watching Activity For Preschoolers is Perfect for Spring (2022)

I wrote this article for the MayaSmart blog, which promotes reading and literacy among young children.

Books about birds and nature introduce children to a whole new vocabulary and encourage observation and focus. And when you pair nature books with a walk outside, you open the door to conversations that will further enhance a child’s understanding, paving the way to eventual reading. . . .

NEPA rules Alaska letter_10Mar2020.pdf

Comment letter

Letter to Council on Environmental Quality from 28 Alaska Organizations (2020)

I drafted this letter, circulated to colleagues for edits, finalized the letter, and called for and managed sign-ons from organizations.

We are organizations in Alaska concerned about the proposed rule to modify the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA requires the federal government to consider environmental impacts of federal actions . . .

The Colville River RaptorsThe three raptor species that nest in the Colville River cliffs are of particular conservation interest.

Blog article

The Colville River Raptors (2019)

I conceived of and wrote this blog and incorporated minor edits.

The Colville River rolls along the southeastern boundary of the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska (NPR–A), carving into the tundra on its way to the Arctic Ocean. The unstoppable flow of water cuts through foothills and soft sand dunes to create cliffs. The ongoing erosion exposes dinosaur fossils and also provides habitat for the descendants of dinosaurs: hawks, falcons, and other birds of prey. In the otherwise flat tundra landscape, the raptors are drawn to the safety and vantage points provided by the relatively tall cliffs. Alongside the bones of their ancestors, these modern-day feathered dinosaurs nest . . .

Mapping Bird MigrationsA series of three activities that will teach you how scientists map bird migration across the globe.

Activity and lesson plan

Mapping Bird Migrations (2020)

I conceived of and wrote this lesson and incorporated minor edits.

When was the last time you saw a bird flying around? Maybe it was on a walk, or just out your window. Do you see the same birds in summer and winter? Some birds stay in the same place all year round. But many birds undertake a “seasonal migration,” meaning that they live in one place in the summer, and then fly somewhere else for the winter. They fly south in a fall migration, and come back north in a spring migration. . . .

Arctic Refuge Science Fact Sheet_Jan2020.pdf

Fact Sheet

America's Arctic Refuge ( 2017)

I used organizational talking-points and a formatting template to write this fact sheet and select appropriate graphics.

High in Alaska’s northeastern corner, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge encompasses an entire Arctic ecosystem, spanning from the boreal forest in the south through the Brooks Range to the Arctic Ocean. Along the coastline lies the narrow coastal plain, a rich landscape that is teaming with life . . .

Endemism in Southeast Alaska_Regular Printing_FINAL_Aug2017.pdf

Short Report

Endemism in Southeast Alaska (2017)

I wrote this short report and selected graphics by using a formatting template and pulling information from an organizational atlas report.

Alongside the Galapagos and the Hawaiian Islands, Southeast Alaska is another hotspot of endemism and a fascinating example of evolution in action. Endemics are native to a particular place and found nowhere else on earth. Isolated islands and regions often display high endemism. . . .

Culliney et al Alala seed dispersal.pdf

Scientific article

Seed dispersal by a captive corvid: the role of the 'Alala (Corvus hawaiiensis) in shaping Hawaii's plant communities (2012)

I conceived of and implemented this research project, analyzed data, wrote my findings, submitted the manuscript for peer-review, and was published, with assistance and guidance from my thesis advisor and co-authors.

Species loss can lead to cascading effects on communities, including the disruption of ecological processes such as seed dispersal. . . .

Mauna Kea Mobile.pdf

Children's activity

Mauna Kea Ecosystem Mobile (2008)

I conceived of this project and wrote and designed this activity.

Food chains show how energy moves through an ecosystem, such as the forests on Mauna Kea. Energy from the sun allows plants like Mamane and Stenogyne to grow leaves, flowers and seeds. Birds like Palila and I’iwi consume these plants. Palila eat mamane pods and I’iwi sip the nectar in the Stenogyne flowers. . . .

Explanatory video

Public Hearing Explainer (2019)

I wrote the script and used an internet plug-in to record this video.

Hi there, my name's Susan and I'm the policy director for Audubon Alaska. So, you want to know about how to attend a public hearing? I'm here to share three tips which I myself use to prepare for a public meeting . . .

Content video

What does the Arctic Refuge mean to you: John Schoen (2017)

I interviewed the subject, compiled footage and photos from the subject, and used iMovie to create and edit this video, which is part of a series.

What does the Arctic Refuge mean to you? Biologist John Schoen counted caribou and camped with his family in the Refuge.

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