Lisa Clarke McMillan
Milburn,NE
Summary
Accomplished driven conservationist with a strong background in developing and leading conservation initiatives by coordinating with property owners, operators, government agencies, and private organizations. Expert in leveraging financial resources with partnerships to achieve the greatest environmental benefit over large landscape areas. Enhancing soil and rangeland health through innovative conservation planning targeting invasive species. Skilled communication candidate that has organized public education events for resource managers, conservation outreach, and fostering youth. Talented in performing site investigations, collecting field inventory, and documenting information to devise conservation plans. Successfully planned and managed projects that significantly improved and restored range and wildlife habitat by targeting Eastern redcedar.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Soil Conservationist
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
2001.10 - Current
- Promoted awareness of soil conservation issues through educational workshops, presentations, and outreach programs.
- Recommended appropriate vegetation species for cropland conversion efforts based on soil type and surrounding plant and ecological findings.
- Established strong working relationships with local producers, and partner agencies fostering a collaborative approach to healthy rangeland resource protection.
- Collaborated with landowner groups to develop and implement landscape conservation plans, for implementing and improving overall rangeland health.
- Conducted field inventory with producers to collected data for accurate assessments of soil and rangeland health conditions, to formulate proper conservation and management decisions.
- Volunteered for community-based educational programs through 4-H, FFA, range camp and etc. engaging youth in identification of rangeland resources, environmental stewardship activities and conservation and management of Nebraska's natural resources.
- Participated on work teams to plan, develop or implement programs or policies for improving environmental habitats, wetlands or groundwater or soil resources.
- Consulted with land users about current problems, proposed plans and optimal conservation strategies.
- Advised land users such as farmers or ranchers on plans, problems or alternative conservation solutions.
- Planned and implemented conservation outreach through news media and presentations to engage and inform general public.
- Developed and enforced successful conservation protocols when planning, designing and monitoring projects.
- Work with landowners and operators, individually and in groups, to develop conservation plans according to established policies and procedures, and in accordance with landowner's decisions.
- Assists landowners with the application of planned resource management systems in compliance with agency standards and specifications. Performs necessary follow-up to ensure plans are being adhered to.
- Assists the local Natural Resources District's with technical guidance. Serves as the agencies technical representative.
- Safely operates motor vehicles and UTV's to perform official duties and trainings in the field.
- Performs duties in a manner which actively supports civil rights policies regarding personnel rules and regulations and delivery of NRCS programs and services without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, or mental or physical handicap.
- Performs duties in a manner supportive of a safe and healthy working environment, and exercises safety precautions when exposed to dangerous objects, chemicals, extreme temperatures, etc.
- Works within a team concept to develop and implement ways to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of the products and/or services provided to internal and external customers.
- Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of soil conservation and related sciences including agronomy, biology, hydrology, and engineering practices in order to develop conservation plans using conventional and established criteria and techniques.
- Knowledge of soil properties and interpretations in order to attain land use potential and advise landowners or agricultural operators of sound conservation techniques.
- Knowledge of agency eligibility requirements for landowners participation, and payment provisions for individuals and formal conservation organizations in order to successfully apply conservation measures.
- Knowledge and skill in oral and written communication methods and techniques in order to discuss conservation measures with small and moderate sized groups of landowners and respond to technical inquiries with substantive information.
- Knowledge of computer systems required in order to effectively perform assigned duties.
- Refers to the plan of operations, NRCS national and state policies and procedures, eFOTG, and handbooks, cost-sharing program requirements, soil survey data, professional journals on conservation, previous experiences, and technical work sheets.
- Develops economically feasible, yet technically correct, alternatives in order to assure a viable conservation program.
- Considers various techniques and advises landowners on courses of action to be affected through conservation plans for lands used for agricultural, recreational, commercial, residential, or community purposes.
- Advise, motivate, and assist rural and community landowners and users on the selection of conservation measures and water management techniques to reduce erosion and protect the land and water resources.
- Interprets data including soil characteristics which are essential in the formulation of sound conservation plans.
- Contributes to the completion of the plan of operations, leading to area wide reduction of soil erosion and contributes to the goals of the field office and district.
- Personal and professional contacts are made through local and professional organizations and community residents, to provide and obtain conservation information and resolve complex technical problems.
Resource Conservationist
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
1996.01 - 2001.10
- Reduced soil erosion by designing and implementing crop rotation systems for highley erodible ground
- Actively participated in professional development opportunities to stay current on emerging trends in the field of resource conservation.
- Conducted field inspections to evaluate compliance with conservation plans and financial programs on the state and federal level.
- Monitored project progress to ensure alignment with established goals and contract timelines.
- Provided technical support to private landowners on best management practices for conserving soil, water, air, wildlife habitats, and other related natural resources.
- Developed strong working relationships with Farm Service Agency, Lower Loup Natural Resources District, Custer County Weed Superintendent, University of Nebraska Extension, Nebraska Game and Parks, other organizations, private sector partners and etc. to advance shared resource conservation goals regarding Eastern redcedar encroachment on rangeland.
- Coordinated volunteer activities for community-based conservation initiatives such as tree planting events, and range plot clean-up at the fairground.
- Educated the public on the importance of invasive species control through workshops, presentations, and outreach events.
- Managed office workload, and prepared written and oral reports to the District Conservationist and Lower Loup NRD BOD regarding conservation projects in our county.
Range Conservationist
USDA Soil Conservation Service
1992.11 - 1996.01
- Assisted ranchers and farmers in making resource inventories, obtained planning information and identified conservation opportunities.
- Developed conservation plans consistent with the needs of the land and objective of the operator.
- Studied trend in range condition, made production determinations and evaluated the amount and patterns of grazing used by the landowner.
- Worked to keep the many grazing management plans in balance with forage resources.
- Encouraged and assisted cooperators to implement their conservation plans and to properly apply planned conservation practices. Also assisted in keeping conservation plans current.
- Observed and learned techniques and methods used by specialists in many other disciplines in analyzing and solving problems in attaining a interdisciplinary approach to natural resources use.
- Developed knowledge of policies, procedures and techniques applicable to all land uses and major conservation activities within the area to which I was assigned.
- Attended meeting of various rural and urban groups to explain programs, report measures and to develop competence and confidence in working with people.
- Participate in all appropriate administrative activities of the office, including preparation of new releases on range conservation topics of local interest.
- Promoted awareness of conservation issues through educational presentations, and outreach programs to range managers and youth.
- Established strong working relationships with local producers, fostering a collaborative approach to the range resource protection.
- Performed inventory and environmental site assessments with producers and provided recommendations.
- Participated on the NRI team to discover, inventory, and interpret environmental resources on croplands, wetlands, and rangelands.
- Consulted and advised land users about current problems, proposed plans and optimized conservation strategies.
- Conducted site visits to evaluate resource needs, identify conservation problems, and devise remedies.
- Maximized natural resource conservation outcomes by advising landowners of financial and technical assistance programs through the state and federal governments.
Range Conservationist
USDA Soil Conservation Service
1991.05 - 1992.08
- Improved irrigation water quantity by implementing best management practices and monitoring results.
- Assisted in evaluation of onsite conservation needs and applied land treatment measures.
- Prepared conservation or resource management plans and coordinated financial or implementation assistance.
Student Trainee
USDA Soil Conservation Service
1990.05 - 1990.08
- Assisted in gathering and assembling preliminary data for use in developing complete basic farm conservation plans.
- Performed surveys and set construction stakes for practices such as terraces, diversions, waterways, dams, and livestock pipelines.
- Carried out follow-up schedules for applying soil conservation practices in accordance with plans developed by technicians.
- Laid out and inspected construction of installed conservation practices to insure NRCS standards were met.
- Received training in planning and application of conservation practices to help me develop into a well-rounded employee.
- Kept daily records of time and work accomplishments then summarized and generated reports detailing findings and recommendations for periodic and special projects.
- Gained experience and perspective by working with various coworkers and asking appropriate questions.
- Completed tasks efficiently to meet project deadlines, contributing to overall team success.
- Actively sought feedback from mentors, leading to continuous improvement during the trainee program period.
- Received consistent feedback from supervisor on strong work ethic and dedication to tasks at hand.
- Collaborated with team members on various projects, resulting in improved communication skills and teamwork abilities.
Education
Bachelor of Science - General Agriculture
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Lincoln, NE05.1991
Skills
Environmental and public education
Invasive species control
Native plant identification
Resource evaluation and management
Land use inventory and planning
Endangered species protection
Wildlife habitat improvement and restoration
Soil conservation practices
Rangeland health practices
Certification
- Certified Conservation Planner III
- Job Approval Authority (JAA) -Prescribed Burning V
- Beef Quality Assurance
- Beef Quality Assurance- Transportaion
Professional Service
Society for Range Management- Nebraska Section Member
- Youth Committee
- District Range Judging
- Area Range Judging
- State Range Judging
Society for Range Management
- High School Youth Forum- Sub Committee Member 2019- present
Nebraska Youth Range Camp
- Counselor- 20 years
- Speaker- 2020-present
Prescribed Burn Task Force 1996-present
- Charter member
- Historian
- Committee member -numerous
- Grant application writer -2 years
Nebraska Farm Bureau
- Member
Four Corners 4-H Club
- Organization Leader -2019-2023
- Project Leader 2007-present
- projects include: rangeland management, entomology, forestry, wildlife habitat, vet science, etc
Nebraska Cattlemen
- Member
Private Pesticide Applicators License -2024
Timeline
Soil Conservationist
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
2001.10 - Current
Resource Conservationist
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
1996.01 - 2001.10
Range Conservationist
USDA Soil Conservation Service
1992.11 - 1996.01
Range Conservationist
USDA Soil Conservation Service
1991.05 - 1992.08
Student Trainee
USDA Soil Conservation Service
1990.05 - 1990.08
Bachelor of Science - General Agriculture
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
- Certified Conservation Planner III
- Job Approval Authority (JAA) -Prescribed Burning V
- Beef Quality Assurance
- Beef Quality Assurance- Transportaion
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