Heather Harris

• Perform watershed assessments by collecting and contributing terrestrial habitat and species population monitoring data for rangeland health assessments and evaluations. Make determinations to develop results-oriented management actions that meet guidelines for healthy rangelands (uplands and riparian) in accordance with regulations, special status species guidance/policy and specific to local standards and guidelines. Incorporate sage-grouse analysis using sage-grouse Land Use Plan Implementation Guide.
• Review oil and gas activities for wildlife impacts and comment on leases/applications.
• Conduct wildlife surveys and research by collecting habitat and species population data and applying management actions to benefit wildlife and their habitat. Coordinate closely with FWP.
• Primary contact, responsible for incorporation of BLM perspective on MSU PhD project for Myotis septentrionalis. Assisting with developing objectives, site selection, study design, training on netting/ID techniques, and serve on graduate committee.
• Wildlife NEPA specialist providing scientific input and recommendations on proposed projects. Ensure that T&E species/habitats, other special status species/habitats, and other wildlife/habitats are considered, analyzing and mitigating for assigned actions and projects planning by providing ecological input into process. Initiate informal or formal consultation, as necessary. Complete biological assessments of actions that may affect listed species or result in modification of critical habitat.
• Coordinate with FWP, regarding field office projects and survey work. Ensure projects are consistent with guidance, manuals, and the Hi-Line Resource Management Plan.
• Develop and maintain relationships with Montana Grassland Partnership, USFWS partners biologists, TNC, and other local agencies to advance relationships and further BLMs mission through efficient and effective land management and public service.
• Work cooperatively with other agencies and non-government organizations in benefitting riparian and upland resources. Serve as lead for Glasgow Field office on West Nile virus surveillance effort.
• Work with Hi-Line Sagebrush Anchor and other resource staff to identify range-improvement projects that improve wildlife habitat. Provide scientific/technical input on proposed projects, such as: removal of potential mosquito larval habitat, fence conversions to BLM standards, and removal of anthropogenic features that degrade habitat.
•Work with Glasgow Field Office and Central Office Staff to complete priority projects characterized by teamwork.

• FWP’s lead on grassland, wetland and sagebrush habitat and associated species
• Coordinated Habitat Lease Program (HCL) and Migratory Bird Wetland Program (MBWP) focusing on private lands.
• Technical resource for internal staff and partner agencies (Federal, state, tribal), non-government organizations (NGOs), and private landowners on grassland, wetland, and sagebrush ecosystem topics. Worked with partners to improve wildlife habitat and promote conservation on working lands.
• State lead on sage-grouse population management. Worked with Game Management Bureau Chief on AHM lek surveys and data entry, annual population estimate and relevant reports.
• State lead and cooperating partner for BLM’s sage-grouse resource management plan amendment, providing input on RMP and its implications for Montana. Drafted comments and letters for Director and Governor’s office.
• Coordinated with USGS/WAFWA on annual sage-grouse population trend tracking, hierarchical framework, Targeted Annual Warning System and Conservation Efforts Database.
• Represented FWP on state technical advisory committees (STAC), including sagebrush tech team, NRCS STAC, PPJV STAC, IWJV state conservation co-chair, and NorthWestern Energy STAC.
• Technical support for Director and wildlife division administrator as they represented FWP on Montana Sage-grouse oversight team and Sagebrush Executive Oversight Committee. Liaison for DNRC sage-grouse conservation program.
• Developed and refined framework for priority landscape habitat programs including HCL and MBWP, incorporated information from SWAP, ESA, and partner planning initiatives.
• FWP’s liaison and wildlife expert for USDA Farm Bill conservation programs. Co-chair on NRCS’s STAC wildlife subcommittee. Represented FWP nationally at AFWA Farm Bill working groups (Easements [co-chair], EQIP-CSP, RCPP, Private Lands, Public Access). Assisted in development of AFWA farm bill platform.
• Identified impacts to wildlife habitat by resource activity such as wind energy development, solar development, oil & gas, grazing, wildland fire, invasives, and urban development,
• Coordinated and implemented habitat enhancement and restoration projects with FWP Regional Offices in collaboration with Upland Game Bird Program, Habitat Montana, Agencies, NGOs and private landowners.
• Developed and coordinated MOU’s and partner agreements outlining shared visions and goals. Tracked progress, expenses, and ensured compliance with federal grant managers.
• Used geospatial analysis (ESRI products) and other data sources to prioritize conservation efforts, evaluate effects of proposed actions, and landscape level conservation initiatives.
• Developed and coordinated a MSU graduate project studying roost-site selection of Myotis septentrionalis and Myotis lucifugus in northeastern Montana in collaboration with BLM, USFWS and MNHP. Served on graduate committee.
• Stayed current on all relevant science through literature review.

•Responsible for management of nongame, furbearers, mountain lion and their habitat for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) Region 6, in Northeast, MT.
• Researched, designed, developed, and implemented surveys and protocols for multiple species listed as Montana Species of concern and/or Species of Greatest Inventory Need including grassland songbirds (Baird’s sparrow, thick-billed longspur, chestnut collared longspur and Sprague’s pipit), short-horned lizard, chimney swift, and multiple bat species.
• Prepared administrative reports involving biological data, monthly activities report, and progress reports on individual projects.
• Worked collaboratively with the public and stakeholders to build relationships that assisted in resolution of resource related issues.
• Coordinated multiple time sensitive projects at one-time.
• Provided technical assistance to landowners and stakeholders for habitat conservation and improvement.
• Conducted Greater sage-grouse Lek surveys annually and submitted data in Wildlife Information Systems
• Provided technical assistance to landowners for nuisance wildlife issues.
• Provided review and commenting on Species Status Assessments and/or candidate assessments, for Sprague’s Pipit, Myotis lucifugus, and Myotis septentrionalis.
• Coordinated and conducted surveillance for Pseudogymnoascus destructans and White-nose syndrome (WNS) in Eastern Montana. Conducted surveillance efforts on leading edge of WNS in Montana as determined by National Wildlife Health Center, including: site selection, acoustic surveys, NABat surveys, hibernacula surveys, spring emergence surveys, bridge surveys, cave surveys, netting efforts, species identification, guano collection, wing index scores, UV light screening, bat skin swabbing (nose and wing), environmental samples (soil and swabs), while insuring decontamination protocols were followed and correct use of field PPE
• Trained multiple partners and biologists on survey methodologies (mist-netting and acoustic), decontamination protocols, bat processing, and in-hand species identification.
• Assessed project impacts on Montana species of concern, threatened and endangered species, Bald and Golden Eagles. Provided comments on energy development, public lease sales, and subdivision development.
• Served as lead for Montana and coordinated complex International biological survey including managing logistics, budget, tracking expenditures, and bill paying. Hiring and supervising of 4 technicians. Analyzed and interpreted results. Presented results and multiple professional meetings and working groups.
• Scoping with public regarding wildlife and habitat management, analyze survey and harvest data, present trapping season and quota recommendations to the public and received their input and comments.

• Performed technical duties in support of Water Resources Division’s programs, implemented by the Glasgow Water Resource Office.
• Reviewed applications and administered permits for water rights.
• Provided assistance and information to the public and other branches of government.
• Researched, gathered and analyzed water resources information and made recommendations regarding water use, availability and management.
• Writing and reviewing biological input to environmental assessments
• Examined historic water right claims and evaluate water use applications in accordance with state law, rules, policies and procedures.
• Attended meetings and provided information regarding water rights, water appropriation methods, processes and procedures, new water uses and the adjudication process.
• Conducted field investigations pertaining to water rights for documentation and provided answers about pertinent aspects (e.g. location, purpose, period of use, flow rate and volume, operating conditions).

• Worked for two seasons (08/2011-1/2012 and 08/2021-1/2013)
• Worked directly with private landowners to ensure the Block Management Program is meeting their specific hunter access needs on their property.
• Compiled data and reports related to hunter use and satisfaction on individual Block Management Properties
• Addressed and answered questions and concerns from public about wildlife populations, hunting access, and regulations.
• Patrol of private lands enrolled in block management to ensure hunter compliance with state game regulations and individual landowner requests.
• Conducted harvest counts and collect demographic and morphological data from harvested animals at hunter-harvest check stations.

• Spatial Data Management for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Organized and updated existing Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial data into the Fish and Wildlife Service's Refuge Lands GIS database (RLGIS).
• Existing data was evaluated with the Refuge Biologist for validity and new data was imported into the system. Shapefiles were organized into the official file plan on the Refuge's server.
• Provided training and information to Refuge staff for effective use of the RLGIS as it relates to refuge natural resources.
• The existing handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) units owned by the Refuge were set up and prepared for in-the field data collection.
• This work effort included loading ESRI's ArcPad software and preparing data collection forms to be used by Refuge staff to monitor plant response to management actions such as burning, herbicide application, and grazing.
• Subsequent training in the use of these GPS units and data collection forms was provided. Supervisor's Name Mike Borgreen

• All work conducted on Fort Peck Indian Tribes for Fort Peck Tribes Fish & Game Department.
• Assisted in development of monitoring strategies, data collection and analysis of vegetation species composition, canopy cover, grazing effects; and small vertebrate species diversity including small mammals, breeding song, marsh, shore, and colonial nesting birds, amphibians, reptiles, and bats.
• Designed vegetation species composition and canopy cover study.
• Collection of data regarding effects of grazing to vegetation and wetlands including vegetation identification and composition.
• Conducted field surveys to amend and enhance occurrence list of small vertebrate species through use of live traps (Tamahak and Sherman), snap traps and pit falls.
• Enhanced list of breeding birds occurrence and abundance levels through field survey methods including bird call counts and visual sighting and identification.
• Developed baseline list of reptile and amphibian presence and population through conducting anuran call counts and basking surveys within wetland habitats.
• Collected and prepared voucher and museum species of small vertebrate fauna.
• Developed geospatial coverages of habitat types and species occurrence records through use of ArcView.

• Worked closely with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks, and U.S. Forest Service to conduct research in Mississippi on multi-scale roost site selection of rare bat species, Rafinesque's big-eared bat and southeastern myotis.
• Independently coordinated research projects and formulated conservation strategies of considerable scope and difficulty which require application of advanced assessment and analytical methodologies.
• Results used to develop management recommendations and long-term conservation policies.
• Research field work included cavity tree searches, cavity tree measurements (DBH, cavity opening area, internal cavity volume and species) assessment of landscape characteristics (tree density, distance to nearest road, distance to nearest stream, elevation and slope).
• Developed and implemented habitat models using logistic regression equations and model builder in ArcGIS to select areas of high use by bats.
• Comparisons and recommendation of types of visual bat surveys, double observer method and removal method.
• Analysis of visual count error of bats in roosts using digital camera with IR light attachment.
• Implemented and monitored bats using radio telemetry, and tragus bands.
• Performed bat and bird captures using mist nests.
• Used Anabat equipment to detect and monitor species on both public and private lands throughout Mississippi.
• Well versed in IACUC protocol for live animal capture application process.
• In addition to duties and responsibilities of master’s thesis research, involved in numerous other research projects conducted by my major professor and her students.
• Acted as a supervisor and hiring official for up to five field technicians.