Giacomo Renzullo
Eureka,CA
Summary
More than twenty years of experience operating a wholesale nursery specializing in tree ferns and other plant species. Professional biologist trained in plant and animal systems, with extensive expertise in plant surveys and identification, habitat assessment, field data collection, and plant propagation. Self-motivated and highly reliable, with experience working across diverse ecosystems in support of conservation, land management, and environmental restoration and compliance efforts.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Nursery Owner & Operator
01.2006 - Current
- Operated wholesale cottage-industry nursery specializing in Cyathea and Dicksonia spp. tree ferns, providing high-quality plants to local markets.
- Experience with irrigation, soil and compost building, hydroponics, fertilization, mycorrhizae, integrated pest management, and maintaining plant health.
- Employ a variety of propagation techniques such as seed germination/stratification, stem & leaf cuttings, grafting/air layering, and sterile technique.
- Construct and operate shade and greenhouses.
- Small business management.
Biologist
Baldwin, Blomstrom, Wilkinson & Associates
Arcata, USA
01.2006 - Current
- Designed and conducted biological surveys assessing plant populations and wildlife including Northern Spotted Owls, Pacific fishers, and amphibians to support conservation efforts.
- Plan and supervise reforestation projects, including planting and herbicide treatments.
- Propagate and transplant ferns and vascular plants into trees.
- Performed biological analysis for environmental compliance documents, including THPs, NTMPs, and Environmental Assessments.
- Supervise and train personnel in botanical, wildlife, and inventory surveys.
- Conduct field reconnaissance, forest inventories/check cruising, timber harvest layout, road inventories and general management of properties managed by Baldwin, Blomstrom, Wilkinson & Associates.
- Utilized Geographic Information Systems technology to map animal distribution ranges and habitat use areas, enhancing understanding of species ecology.
Other Experience
01.2002 - Current
- Rigged, climbed trees and installed camera dolly rigging for National Geographic Magazine cover stories for October 2009 issue ‘The Tallest Trees’ and December 2012 issue ‘The World’s Largest Trees’.
- Provided production support for National Geographic Television’s ‘Secret Yosemite’ in Yosemite, CA.
- Supported the filming of ‘Night Stalker’ for Ammonite Films and National Geographic in Santa Rosa National Park, Costa Rica.
- Provided support for BBC Natural History Unit’s productions including ‘Planet Earth’, ‘Migrations’, and ‘The Great Salmon Run’ across various locations.
- Assisted Pioneer Productions and Travel Channel in the filming of ‘Jeff Corwin’s Into America’s West – Yosemite’ at Mountain Home Grove, CA.
- Professional arborist since May 2002.
Forest Canopy Biologist
Humboldt State University and Eco-Ascension Research & Consulting
Arcata, USA
01.2002 - 01.2014
- Climbed >1500 trees for research, primarily in State and National Parks, using only ‘low impact’ single-rope climbing techniques.
- Rigged, climbed and mapped 100+ old-growth coast redwood and giant sequoias, assembling terrestrial floras for Save the Redwoods and National Science Foundation projects to support conservation efforts.
- Nest entry and expert handler of Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, and other raptors for projects located in the Channel Islands, Minnesota/Wisconsin and Northern Sierras.
- Conducted canopy surveys for red tree voles, marbled murrelets and epiphytes in California and Oregon, contributing to species monitoring and habitat assessment.
- Rigged, climbed & branch mapped multiple tree species in the Olympic National Park for a biomass study of the Queets River watershed.
- Rigged and climbed mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans) snags in Kingslake National Park, New South Wales, Australia for Northern Arizona University tree physiology study, advancing understanding of tree growth dynamics.
- Instructed students in climbing techniques for the HSU silviculture course.
- Assistant field instructor for HSU Mensuration course.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Botany
Humboldt State University
12.2000
Skills
- Nursery Management
- Plant Propagation
- Soil health management
- Plant Identification/Use of Keys
- Botanical/Wildlife Surveys
- CEQA Compliance
- Expert Tree Climber
Training
- Certified Archaeological Surveyor Training by CAL FIRE, 10/14/22
- Forest Vegetation Management Conference by FVMC and CLFA, Anderson, CA, 09/11/21 - 09/13/21
- CEQA Impact Assessment by CNPS, 09/14/21 - 09/15/21
- CNPS Vegetation Mapping Workshop by CNPS, 11/10/20
- Grass Identification Workshop by Kerry Heise and Geri Hulse-Stephens, Hopland, CA, 06/02/17
- CNPS Carex Workshop by Gordon Leppig, Arcata, CA, 03/04/17
- Introduction to Plant Surveys by Teresa Sholars, 01/14/15
- California Natural Diversity Database (CNDDB), RareFind 5, and BIOS Workshop, 11/18/14
Education Certifications
- Bachelor of Science in Botany, Humboldt State University, 12/01/00
- ISA Certified Arborist, WE-7295A, 01/19/12, 06/30/27
Timeline
Nursery Owner & Operator
01.2006 - Current
Biologist
Baldwin, Blomstrom, Wilkinson & Associates
01.2006 - Current
Other Experience
01.2002 - Current
Forest Canopy Biologist
Humboldt State University and Eco-Ascension Research & Consulting
01.2002 - 01.2014
Bachelor of Science - Botany
Humboldt State University