Claire Parsons

•Designed and implemented field experiments to study climate change impacts on subalpine plant communities.

•Monitored phenology, morphology, and physiology of native flora in the Southern Rockies.

•Identified Colorado plant species using botanical keys and microscopy for accurate documentation and specimen collection.

•Conducted year-round vegetation surveys, snow manipulation experiments, and community composition analyses.

•Performed statistical analysis and species distribution modeling to assess ecological trends and conservation priorities.

•Authored technical reports and presented research findings at conferences and public events.

•Developed SDMs and evaluation reports for the Colorado Natural Heritage Program to guide rare plant conservation efforts.

• Responsible for the long-term monitoring and documentation of alpine plant species in Idaho, California, and Nevada.
• Established and installed a second survey peak for Idaho in the Lemhi Mountain Range.
• Collected data for the downslope surveys and supplemental GLORIA data.
• Installed temperature loggers on each aspect on each high summit point (HSP) and successfully completed Summit Area Sections (SAS).
• Managed 10-15 other researchers and interns in an extreme field environment.

• Worked closely with the Development Director to apply for grants and submit final reports to continue funding for the efforts of the organization.

• Coordinated with public land agency staff on the implementation and public education of plant research and conservation efforts in the Wasatch Mountains.

• Organized and led community volunteer projects in the backcountry with federal partners: invasive weed management, trail repair, trash removal from watersheds, and native plant restoration.
• Presented at numerous virtual and in-person community events to discuss threats to the region, taught locals about public land conservation, and recruited volunteers for service projects.

•Monitored plant health and phenological stages of native species through field surveys, data collection, and long-term trend analysis to assess ecological change over time.

•Wrote various grants and proposals to establish a more accessible and informative botanical garden.
•Worked closely with faculty and staff to create management plans and interagency events as well as collaborated with city managers and departments to finalize budgets, establish contracts, and ensure the overall success of the Gardens.
•Managed an efficient and productive work environment for six full-time staff.

•Monitored the phenology of plant populations and collected seed from populations in accordance with Seeds of Success Technical Protocol in Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah.
•Recorded data electronically and on paper data forms related to rare plant status, Seeds of Success, and restoration projects.
•Mapped plant populations using national herbarium records and previous data utilizing ArcGIS.
•Wrote extensive newsletters both for Forest Service and regionally, grant proposals, and monthly reports.
•Taught pollinator and restoration ecology to native plant societies, land trusts, and Citizen Science groups.
•Surveyed revegetation projects and rare plants sites.

•Managed post-fire reforestation project on 70,000 acres in San Juan National Forest.
•Successfully keyed western plants to species.
•Facilitated multiple volunteers and Forest Service seasonals about fire ecology in a research environment.
•Completed stocking surveys, stake row analysis, and unit flagging for reforestation contracts.
•Collected carbon plot data for Walt Disney carbon offset.
•Administered FSVEG, Trimble GPS, Avenza mapping, and ArcGIS Story Map.

•Successfully documented seed production and phenology trends.

•Developed propagation methods for germination projects of endemic Appalachian understory plants.
•Maintained shadehouse nursery infrastructure.
•Wrote and received grants to secure future funding of the propagation research and facility expansion.
•Led workshops regarding the significance of endemic plant conservation and propagation methodology.