JASON BEASON
LANDER,WYOMING
Summary
Dynamic Environmental Specialist with SWCA Environmental Consulting, skilled in avian surveys and ecological reporting. Successfully coordinated citizen science projects, enhancing bird population monitoring across Colorado. Proven ability to foster relationships with stakeholders while utilizing GIS mapping and wildlife monitoring techniques to drive impactful research outcomes.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Environmental Specialist
SWCA Environmental Consulting
Broomfield, CO
03.2017 - 07.2019
- Conducted bird surveys (raptors and passerines) to assess avian use and density at wind farm in grassland and sagebrush habitats in Montana and Wyoming.
- Searched for bird and bat fatalities under turbines at wind farms in Colorado and Wyoming. Identified all carcasses found.
- Installed and maintained acoustical recording equipment, downloading data and troubleshooting issues at pre-determined locations to evaluate bat density and diversity at pre-and post-construction wind farm sites.
- Conducted surveys for the federally-listed Western Yellow-billed Cuckoos (permit required) in the summer of 2017 and 2025.
- Conducted Greater Sage-Grouse Lek counts, searched for unsuccessful nests, and recovered fallen GPS tags to support grouse monitoring efforts.
- Monitored and searched for historic and active raptor nests.
- Worked independently while conducting field work and navigated year-round including during demanding winter months in Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming.
Special Monitoring Projects Coordinator
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (formerly Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory)
Brighton, CO
05.2001 - 03.2017
- In partnership with U.S. Forest Service biologist and volunteer citizen scientists conducted research on Black Swifts across the western U.S. Goals of project were identifying new breeding colonies, monitoring existing colonies, conducting migration research using most recent technologies (light-level geolocators), and solving some of the many remaining mysteries surrounding this enigmatic species. Please see publications section.
- Coordinated surveys for the Western Distinct Population Segment of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo in western Colorado (2008 through 2011 and 2015 to 2016) by partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, BLM, and local biological consultants.
- Initiated and organized Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo survey protocol training sessions in cooperation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Region 6). Number of attendees ranged from approximately 40 to 75 for each training session and were held in Hotchkiss, Colorado and Green River, Utah.
- Managed two citizen science projects monitoring low-density bird species in Colorado, maintaining contact with over 50 volunteers for Project ColonyWatch to track colonially-nesting waterbird species and conducting annual Barrow's Goldeneye counts to assess wintering populations statewide.
- Assisted with region-wide bird population monitoring programs, collecting and analyzing point-count survey data to evaluate landbird populations across the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains regions in collaboration with U.S. Forest Service, BLM, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
- Developed and delivered presentations on project findings for public audiences and professional ornithological organizations, enhancing community engagement and knowledge sharing.
- Wrote proposals to secure funding.
- Other duties include database management; hiring, training, and supervision of field staff, statistical analysis of data collected, and technical report writing.
- Worked an average of 45 hours per week on various projects.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Natural Resources Management
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH07-1990
Skills
- Avian surveys
- Bat acoustics
- Raptor nest monitoring
- Wildlife monitoring
- GIS mapping
- Ecological reporting
PUBLICATIONS
- Beason, J. P., C. Gunn, K. M. Potter, R. A. Sparks, and J. W. Fox. 2012. The Northern Black Swift: Migration path and wintering area revealed. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 124:1-8.
- Gunn, C., K. M. Potter, and J. P. Beason. 2012. Temperature and relative humidity values at Northern Black Swift colonies in Colorado, New Mexico, and California. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 124:797-802.
- Beason, J. P. 2012. Yellow-billed Cuckoos in Western Colorado. Colorado Field Ornithologists 46: 181-187.
- Potter, K. M., C. Gunn, and J. P. Beason. 2015. Prey items of the Black Swift in Colorado and a review of historical data. Wilson Journal of Ornithology 127: 411-420.
- Gunn, C., K. J. Aagaard, K. Potter, and J. Beason. 2018. Sexually Dimorphic Plumage Characteristics in the Northern Black Swift. Western Birds 49: 214-225.
- Online publication:
- Gunn, C., P. E. Lowther, C. T. Collins, J. Beason, K. M. Potter, and M. Webb. 2026. Black Swift (Cypseloides niger), version 3.1. In Birds of the World (B. K. Keeney and S. M. Billerman, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA.
Timeline
Environmental Specialist
SWCA Environmental Consulting
03.2017 - 07.2019
Special Monitoring Projects Coordinator
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (formerly Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory)
05.2001 - 03.2017
Bachelor of Science - Natural Resources Management
The Ohio State University