Kimberly Balagtas
Student Worker
NPS Monitoring - Vegetation Ecology
702-895-4678

Kimberly is a student worker with Vegetation Ecology. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in biotechnology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Kimberly is a graduate of Centennial High School in Las Vegas and the Southern Nevada School of Real Estate.

Joe Barnes
Research Assistant
Wildlife Ecology
702-895-4678

Joe is an ardent field biologist and regional birder and employs these skills as a Research Assistant in Wildlife Ecology. He has previous experience as a marine fisheries observer and as a wildlife technician for state agencies tracking salmon migration and surveying for the southwestern willow flycatcher. Joe holds a B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Baldwin-Wallace College, and is working on his M.S. in the School of Life Sciences at UNLV.  His graduate research focuses on demography and habitat selection in peregrine falcons. 

Dr. Elizabeth Barrie
Project Manager, Interagency Volunteer Program
Assistant Research Professor – Recreation
Department of Recreation and Sport Management
Project Manager, Interagency Volunteer Program
702-895-5837

Beth Barrie is the Program Manager for the Interagency Volunteer Program and an Assistant Research Professor for the Recreation Department of Recreation and Sport Management . Beth comes to the Public Lands Institute from The Eppley Institute at Indiana University, where she was an instructional designer for the National Park Service Interpretive Development Program curriculum revision project. She formerly was also an instructor and researcher in recreation. Beth holds a B.A. in Communication, an M.S. in Outdoor Recreation and Resource Management, and a Ph.D. in Leisure Behavior.

Dave Block
Boat Captain
Forever Earth Program
702-895-4678

Dave Block is a Boat Captain with the Forever Earth Program.  Previously, he was a deckhand for two yachts at Lake Las Vegas.  In addition to his considerable boat experience at Lake Mead, Dave also had a 31-year career in the Navy and Department of Defense.

Rochelle Boyd
Operations Manager
702-895-5486

Rochelle Boyd is the Operations Manager for the Public Lands Institute and is responsible for the day to day operational activities of the office. Rochelle comes to UNLV from Johns Hopkins University, where previously she was the Assistant to the Director of the Disease Prevention and Control Program at the Bloomberg School of Public Health. Prior to that, Rochelle held administrative support positions at the University of Washington and has over thirteen years of experience working in administration in higher educational institutions. Rochelle holds a B.A. in American Ethnic Studies from the University of Washington.

Allyson Butler
Project Planner
Conservation Education and Interpretation Strategy
702-895-5147

Allyson Butler moved to Las Vegas from Pensacola, Florida, where she received a bachelor's degree in Education. Her passion for the outdoors brought her to seek ways to combine learning with the environment. As a Project Planner for the Conservation Education and Interpretation Strategy, she will be focusing on programs related to education and community engagement. Allyson is currently pursuing a master's degree in Administration at UNLV.

Dr. Milind Bunyan
Post-Doctoral Scholar
Wildlife Ecology Program
702-895-2463

Milind Bunyan is a postdoctoral researcher in Wildlife Ecology at PLI. His research focuses on developing ecological niche models for several bird species within southern Nevada with the aim of informing land management decisions. Milind comes to UNLV after completing a Ph.D. in Forest Resources and Conservation from the University of Florida at Gainesville. His graduate research focused on microenvironmental and biological response to a forest-grassland edge in the Western Ghats, southern India. He also holds a M.S. in Forestry (Economics and Management) from the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun, India and a B.S. in Environmental Science from St. Joseph's College of Arts and Sciences in Bangalore, India.

Dr. Jean Cline
Professor of Geoscience
Department of Geoscience
Director, Walking Box Ranch
Website

Jean Cline is the director for the historic Walking Box Ranch. In that capacity, she manages the design and implementation of the proposed museum; field, research, and training center; and any ranch renovation. Jean also is a professor in the Department of Geoscience, with her research emphasis on the physical and chemical evolution of hydrothermal ore systems, fluid evolution in magmatic systems and fluid inclusion constraints on PTX. Jean holds a B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Geology.

Donovan Craig
Research Assistant
Joint Fire Sciences
702-895-4678

Donovan is a Research Assistant for the Joint Fire Sciences Program. He previously worked as a biologist and biological science technician. Donovan holds a B.S. in Agriculture and Environmental Management from South Dakota State University-Brookings and a M.S. in Natural Resources Management from North Dakota State University-Fargo. His graduate research focused on the nutrient composition, herbage production and growth patterns of warm-season grasses.

Jill Craig
Weed Sentry Coordinator
NPS Monitoring - Vegetation Ecology
702-895-4678

Jill is a Weed Sentry Coordinator in Vegetation Ecology for the National Park Service Monitoring Program. She has worked as a grassland ecology technician and agricultural weed technician for the U.S. Agricultural Research Service in Montana. Jill holds a B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and an M.S. in Landscape Architecture with a focus on Restoration Ecology from the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Her graduate research focused on the community structure and composition of tallgrass prairies.

Janet Cristobal
Accountant Technician II
702-895-5096

Janet Cristobal is the Accountant Technician II at Public Lands Institute.   Prior to joining the Institute, she held two positions at UNLV:  Accounting Assistant III in the Controller’s Office of the Accounts Payable Department and Accountant Technician I at the Office of Sponsored Programs.  She came to UNLV from Sam’s Club, a Wal-Mart company, where she was an Accounting Associate for 5 years.  Janet graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines and holds a B.S. in Commerce, major in Accounting.

Stacy (Stacia) Dahl
Educator/Facilitator Forever Earth/Discover Mojave Programs
702-895-5098

Stacy is an educator/facilitator for the Forever Earth and Outdoor World programs. She comes to PLI with extensive management and administrative experience. Stacy has a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Regis University in Las Vegas. She also has achieved the Nevada State Certification in Environmental Education and Interpretation.

Wilisha Daniels
Business and Outreach Manager
702-895-5167

Wilisha Daniels is the Business and Outreach Manager for the Public Lands Institute. She is responsible for overseeing day-to-day business activities and assisting in outreach programs for PLI. Wilisha brings over seven years of experience in business and outreach management from both state and local governmental agencies. Most recently, she served as Program Manager for the Conservation District of Southern Nevada, where she was primarily responsible for managing the collaborative outreach and education efforts for the Clark County Department of Air Quality and Environmental Management’s public outreach campaign. Wilisha holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and master’s in Public Administration from UNLV.

Adria DeCorte
Student Worker
NPS Monitoring - Vegetation Ecology
702-895-4678

Adria DeCorte is a Student Worker in Vegetation Ecology. She also holds an internship with the Las Vegas Valley Water District were she works as a small-scale herbarium collections manager, a seed collection lead, and a nursery assistant. Adria holds a B.S. in Architecture from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and is currently working on her M.S. in Environmental Science at UNLV. Her graduate research focuses on the effects of surface soil characteristics on exotic annual species establishment.

Teague Embrey
Seasonal Field Botanist
NPS Monitoring - Vegetation Ecology
702-895-4678

Teague Embrey is a Field Botanist in Vegetation Ecology.  He previously was a research technician with the Eastern Nevada Landscape Coalition in Ely, Nevada and a research intern with the Denver Botanic Gardens in Denver, Colorado.  Teague holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.

E. Cayenne Engel
Research Associate
NPS Monitoring - Vegetation Ecology
702-895-4678

Cayenne is a Research Associate in Vegetation Ecology for the National Park Service Monitoring Program. She has worked as a herbarium and greenhouse assistant and, more recently, as a university research technician. Cayenne holds a B.A. in Environmental Science from Agnes Scott University and an M.S. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Tennessee, where she studied plant community responses to global climate change.

Heather Ferguson
Educator/Facilitator Forever Earth/Discover Mojave Programs
702-895-5098

Heather Ferguson is an educator/facilitator for the Forever Earth and Outdoor World programs. She has a BS in Environmental Science and Conservation Biology from Shorter College and an MS in Coastal Science from the University of Southern Mississippi. Recently returned from US Peace Corps service in Romania, Heather is enforcing a career path of continuing environmental awareness that she has championed at home and overseas.

Karen File
Boat Captain
Forever Earth Program
702-895-4678

Karen File is a Boat Captain with the Forever Earth Program. She is also a captain with Westrec Marine Services at Lake Las Vegas Marina. Karen previously served as First Mate for Wood Wind Cruises in Zephyr Cove, Nevada.  She is a certified boating safety instructor and underwater investigator.

Dawn Fletcher
Research Assistant
Wildlife Ecology
702-895-4678

Dawn is a Research Assistant in Wildlife Ecology with a primary focus on songbird and bald eagle ecology.  She has experience with desert tortoises, gopher tortoises, sea turtles, bighorn sheep, and swift fox.  She holds a B.S. in Zoology from Ohio State University and is currently working on her M.S. in the School of Life Sciences at UNLV. Her graduate research focuses on the distribution and habitat selection of several species of cryptic thrasher.

Calais Fossier
Student Worker - Wildlife Ecology
702-895-4678

Calais Fossier is a Student Worker in Wildlife Ecology.  She previously served as regional director of project research for Manhattanization.com and a helicopter loader with Sundance Helicopters.  Calais currently attends UNLV and aspires to be an adept zoologist.

Nathan Gehres
Research Assistant
Vegetation Ecology
702-895-0806

Nathan Gehres is utilizing his expertise in field and lab procedures as a Research Assistant with Vegetation Ecology.  He has approximately ten years’ experience as a field and lab technician, most recently with UNLV’s School of Life Sciences.  Nathan has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Oregon State University in Corvallis.

Tammy Gerber
Student Worker
Interagency Volunteer Program
702-895-5484

Tammy Gerber’s love for the outdoors and passion for volunteerism brought her to PLI, where she works as a Student Worker for the Interagency Volunteer Program coordinating volunteer events with federal agencies.  She is currently a student in her final semester at UNLV.  In May 2009, Tammy will graduate with honors and a bachelor degree in University Studies with a focus in Environmental Studies and Public Administration. 

Dr. Shawn Gerstenberger
Associate Professor and Chair
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
Principal Investigator, Limnology Assistance to Lake Mead National Recreation Area
702-895-1565
Website

Shawn Gerstenberger is a principal investigator for a project in which PLI provides limnological assistance to Lake Mead National Recreation Area in balancing water quality, community needs, and water-based recreation for Lakes Mead and Mohave. Shawn also is Associate Professor and Chair of the UNLV's Department of Environmental and Occupational Health. He works as an Adjunct Assistant Professor for the University of Nevada, Reno and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Shawn holds a B.S. in Reclamation and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Toxicology.

Nancy Grey
Research Assistant
Cultural Site Stewardship Program
702-895-4678

Nancy Grey is a Research Assistant with the Cultural Site Stewardship Program.  Nancy originally intended to obtain a degree in library science, but changed to anthropology after taking her first cultural resources management class. Nancy has a B.A. in Anthropology from UNLV and is pursuing a master’s degree in Anthropology with a focus in Archaeology.  Her primary field of interest is the prehistoric ceramics of the peripheral Virgin Anasazi.

Nancy Gyori
Educator/Facilitator Forever Earth/Discover Mojave Programs
702-895-4678

Nancy Gyori is an educator/facilitator for the Forever Earth Program.  Previously, she was an education facilitator volunteer with the Clark County Wetlands and a concierge/booking agent.  Nancy has earned the Nevada State Environmental Education and Interpretation Certificate and is fluent in American Sign Language.

Trish (Patricia) Harrison
Educator/Facilitator Forever Earth/Discover Mojave Programs
702-895-5098

Trish is an educator/facilitator for the Forever Earth and Outdoor World programs. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from California University of Pennsylvania and is pursuing a master’s degree in management information systems from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In addition to her academic pursuits, Trish is also dedicated to increasing environmental awareness.

Jef Jaeger is a Assistant Research Professor in wildlife population biology with specific responsibility for managing PLI’s wildlife research projects.  He also conducts research and teaches for the School of Life Sciences at UNLV.  Jef has a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from UNLV and over 17 years of research experience in the areas of conservation biology, phylogeography, population biology.  He also holds a B.S. in Environmental Studies and an M.S. in Biological Sciences.

Scott Kelly
Recreation Assistant
Discover Mojave Outdoor World
702-774-1430

Scott Kelly is a Recreation Assistant with the Discover Mojave Outdoor World program.  Scott is pursuing his master’s degree in sports and leisure services management at UNLV.  He has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

Amber Lee
Student Worker
Vegetation Ecology
702-895-4678

Amber Lee is a Student Worker with Vegetation Ecology and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biology at UNLV. 

Joanna Libby
Research Assistant
Discover Mojave Programs, Interagency Volunteer Program and Take Pride in America Program
702-895-4678

Joanna moved from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas in 2003.  She obtained her bachelor’s degree from UNLV in Recreation and Leisure Studies and is currently pursuing her master’s degree at UNLV in the same department.  Joanna’s passion for the outdoors has inspired her to educate and motivate others about the environment.  She facilitates Clark County students in environmental science and outdoor recreational activities.  In addition, she assists with the Interagency Volunteer and Take Pride in America programs.

Dr. Jennell Miller
Developmental Biology
Program Coordinator, Limnology Assistance to Lake Mead National Recreation Area and
Interagency Science & Research Strategy
702-895-5429

Jennell is the Program Coordinator for Limnology Assistance to Lake Mead National Recreation Area and the
Interagency Science & Research Strategy for the Public Lands Institute. She also is responsible for creating visual arts materials and interpretations and assisting with curriculum development for various PLI educational programs. Jennell has drawn upon her background in science for her work as a writer, editor, and visual and interpretive arts designer for a variety of projects by governmental agencies, private companies, and non-profit organizations since 2000. Jennell received her Ph.D. in Biology with a focus on genetics and development from UNLV and holds a B.A. in Biological Sciences from California State University, San Bernardino.

Sara Mueting
Graduate Assistant, Limnology Assistance to Lake Mead National Recreation Area
702-895-4678

Sara Mueting is a Graduate Assistant with the Limnology Assistance to Lake Mead Program.  She previously worked as a lab technician at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas.  Sara received her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Kansas State.  She currently is working toward a master’s degree in Public Health from UN LV.  Sara’s research interest is the quagga mussel at Lake Mead.

Larry Mund
Senior Captain
Forever Earth Program
702-895-4678

Larry Mund is the Senior Captain with the Forever Earth Program.  He has 40 years of experience on Puget Sound, through the Inside Passage to and from Alaska, and on Lake Mead.

Amy Page
Education Program Specialist
Forever Earth and Discover Mojave Programs
702-895-4678

Amy is an Education Program Specialist for the Forever Earth and Discover Mojave programs and other education initiatives. Her professional experience includes informal education at museums, such as The Discovery Center of Springfield, The St. Louis Children's Museum - Magic House, and the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. She received a B.A. in New World Antiquities and an M.A. in Arts in American History from Southwest Missouri State University.

Gary Reese
Research Assistant
NPS Monitoring - Vegetation Ecology
702-895-4678

Gary Reese is a Research Assistant with Vegetation Ecology. Gary has worked as a plant ecologist with a variety of employers across the US, including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Interior, The Nature Conservancy, University of Missouri, University of Michigan, and the Missouri Department of Conservation. His research experience is in vegetation ordination, classification, and mapping; natural quality, condition and trend assessment of plant communities and rare plant populations; habitat characterization for endangered birds and herps; and rephotographic surveys. Gary holds a B.S. in Range Science from Southern Illinois University and an M.S. in Range Ecology from Utah State University.

Ron Vernholm
Caretaker, Walking Box Ranch
702-895-4678

Ron Vernholm is the Ranch Caretaker at the Walking Box Ranch Field Station.  Ron previously was a recreation technician with the Bureau of Land Management in Baker City, Oregon.

Adriane Zacmanidis
Project Planner
Conservation Education and Interpretation Strategy
702-895-4678

Adriane Zacmanidis is a Project Planner with the Conservation Education
and Interpretation Strategy, where she is assisting in the design and development of a mobile exhibit.  For the past 15 years, she has worked in the fields of Public History/Museums, Nonprofits, and Education.  Adriane has managed successful museum education and outreach departments, nonprofit programs and operations, and has been a classroom teacher at the secondary and university levels.  She is a certified teacher in her home state of New Mexico and in Nevada and holds a B.A. in Public History from Western Michigan University, a master's in Education & Museum Sciences from Indiana University, and is working toward another M.A. in Historic Preservation and Community and Regional Planning at the University of New Mexico School of Architecture and Planning.