Years of professional Experience
Luke Burt
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Seasoned environmental professional with over 8 years of experience in public land management, landscaping, and community programming. Results-oriented individual with a passion for creating positive outdoor experiences for communities. Known for leveraging analytical thinking and creativity to solve problems and deliver high-impact solutions.
Overview
8
8
3
3
Certifications
1
1
Environmental Studies, BA
Work History
PUBLIC LANDS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Columbia Land Conservancy
Chatham, NY
07.2022 - 02.2024
- Managed daily operations for 10 Public Conservation Areas (PCAs) covering 3500 acres and 30 miles of trails to ensure safe public access, sound natural resource decisions, and positive community relations.
- Established a comprehensive volunteer program that fostered a safe and streamlined volunteer environment by implementing effective recruitment and training strategies and maintaining proactive communication channels.
- Supervised and led volunteer trail stewardship projects, achieving a significant increase in engagement from 25 hours in 2022 to over 500 hours in 2023.
- Supervised and trained seasonal staff to efficiently complete routine maintenance tasks and special projects.
- Managed all aspects of routine maintenance and special projects including progress tracking, invoice management, contractor communication, scheduling, materials inventory, and stakeholder relations.
- Diligently cataloged infrastructure and site status noting trail conditions, potential safety hazards, and identifying prohibited activities.
- Swiftly resolved site issues through personal action or delegation to team members. Completed infrastructure repairs and installations such as fencing, parking lot damage, kiosks, trail issues, and trash removal. Managed monitoring activities for proper trail drainage, maintenance of culverts, and mitigation of ice and snow along trails and parking lots.
- Facilitated weekly department meetings to enhance communication, feedback, and goal alignment, improving project completion rates and team cohesion.
- Advised on annual work plans, budgets, and master plans for PCAs in collaboration with the Director of Conservation.
- Contributed to strategic planning and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts, while also serving as a committee member on various organizational projects.
- Collaborated across departments to secure vital grants, enhance community engagement, and manage external funding for improvement initiatives.
LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR
Partner at Gay Gardens Landscaping
Oakland, CA
01.2018 - 05.2022
- Successfully completed diverse residential landscaping projects in the San Francisco Bay Area, encompassing routine maintenance, innovative garden design, efficient irrigation system installation, and quality hardscaping construction.
- Managed routine and seasonal maintenance activities such as cultivation, transplanting, and pruning while actively monitoring for pest or disease issues.
- Performed various horticultural tasks including pruning, weeding, planting, mulching, and irrigation. Executed responsibilities for landscape bed preparation and planting.
- Ensured adherence to approved designs while planting annuals, perennials, bulbs, woody plants and trees.
- Managed projects efficiently, delivering measurable success and predictable outcomes. Supervised day laborers to ensure efficient and timely project completion while maintaining high-quality standards.
- Strategic budget management, supply purchases, and efficient organization of tools and materials.
- Facilitated collaboration with business partners, suppliers, and contractors to ensure seamless project execution and routine maintenance goals were achieved.
- Adhered to and enforced OSHA safety standards.
- Established a culture of effective communication and professionalism with clients and collaborators, fostering trusting and transparent working relationships.
PARK RANGER (Seasonal)
East Bay Regional Parks District
Oakland, CA
07.2021 - 11.2021
- Managed daily operations at Reinhardt Redwood Regional, a prominent urban park spanning 1,833 acres with 40 miles of trails, camping, and recreation.
- Collaborated with crew members on parkland infrastructure maintenance and construction of fencing, signage, picnic tables, and trails to ensure safe and inclusive public access.
- Performed routine maintenance objectives including trash removal, bathroom cleaning, and general maintenance of Park aesthetics for usability and safety.
- Operated chainsaws, utility vehicles, wood chippers, tractors, zero-turn mowers, and various construction equipment.
- Administered best management practices regulated by California law and EBRPD standards to mitigate invasive species, fire suppression, and erosion control to support native habitats and ecosystems.
- Oversaw and provided technical guidance to weekly volunteer groups to effectively perform restoration and conservation projects of parkland natural resources such as diverse grasslands, riparian zones, and Coast Redwood tree habitats.
- Responded to Park emergencies and facilitated communication between park users and law enforcement or emergency personnel when necessary.
- Collaborated with other EBRPD departments on District initiative implementation, volunteer event scheduling, parkland reservations and permitting.
- Managed supply inventory, purchases, and upkeep of EBRPD tools and equipment, and performed cataloging and reporting of maintenance performance, incident reports, and project progress.
- Daily record keeping and reporting of identified issues related to malfunctioning infrastructure, trail conditions, and safety hazards.
RECREATIONAL LEADER IV
East Bay Regional Parks District
Oakland, CA
03.2018 - 03.2020
- Delivered volunteer and recreational programming throughout EBRPD’s parklands to achieve organizational goals and initiatives for community engagement and environmental conservation, under the supervision of the Recreational Department Supervisor and the Volunteer Department Supervisor.
- Supervised and trained volunteers on restoration, mitigation, and conservation projects to improve District parklands and meet environmental initiatives.
- Supervised and trained participants in recreational activities such as kayaking, canoeing, camping, and bicycling.
- Trained volunteers and recreational program participants on tool and equipment usage as well as EBRPD event safety protocols.
- Maintained program records, volunteer hours and reporting, incident reports, and supply purchases.
- Collaboration with inter-department staff to accomplish community outreach, event scheduling, and program design.
Education
BA - Environmental Studies
California State University East Bay
05.2020
Certificate - GIS and Data Communications Professional
University of Vermont
Skills
- Landscape Management Operations
- Ecological Expertise
- Native and Non-native Plant Identification
- Integrated Pest Management
- Small-engine Usage and Maintenance
- Infrastructure Maintenance
- Administrative Efficiency
- Record Keeping and Reporting
- Budget and Supply Management
- Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Decision-making
- Problem-solving
- Community Education and Outreach
- ArcGis, Microsoft Suite, Google Suite
Certification
- First Aid + CPR + AED, American Red Cross - 07/01/23
- Game of Logging Levels 1 & 2 - October 2023
Relevant Trainings & Coursework
- Tree and Ornamental Shrub Identification - Merritt Community College, Fall 2021
- Catalyst Program for Nonprofits - Life Labs Learning, Winter 2022
References
- Heidi Bock, Columbia Land Conservancy, (518) 852-9974, Heidi.Bock@columbialand.org
- Abby Schkloven, Gay Gardens Landscaping, (415) 412-4335, HologramEyes@gmail.com
- Bridget Calvey, East Bay Regional Parks District, BCalvey@ebparks.org
Timeline
PUBLIC LANDS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR
Columbia Land Conservancy
07.2022 - 02.2024
PARK RANGER (Seasonal)
East Bay Regional Parks District
07.2021 - 11.2021
RECREATIONAL LEADER IV
East Bay Regional Parks District
03.2018 - 03.2020
LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR
Partner at Gay Gardens Landscaping
01.2018 - 05.2022
BA - Environmental Studies
California State University East Bay
Certificate - GIS and Data Communications Professional
University of Vermont
- First Aid + CPR + AED, American Red Cross - 07/01/23
- Game of Logging Levels 1 & 2 - October 2023
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