Leanne Burns

Experience

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  Upland Hills Farm Day Camp

  Jun 2000 - Sept 2004

  Head Counselor, Transportation Supervisor

  • Determined and led activities such as arts & crafts, nature, sports, dramatics, and waterfront• Assessed camper’s needs, attitudes, and progress, offering mentoring as needed• Taught campcraft skills such as building fires and shelter, outdoor cooking, and navigation• Managed and reviewed younger staff, providing them with instruction and leadership

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  West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation

  May 2007 - Sept 2007

  Naturalist Assistant

  • Responsible for the husbandry and handling of housed educational animals • Created and led outreach programs and guided hikes to educate the public about Michigan wildlife• Facilitated children’s exploration of the outdoors through nature camp activities and field trips

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  University of Michigan, Society for Conservation Biology

  Apr 2008 - Jul 2008

  Field Research Assistant

  Project studying the role of sucker fish in nutrient cycling in freshwater ecosystems:• Sampled nitrogen and phosphorous levels to quantify nutrient subsidies from fish to tributaries in Michigan's Upper Peninsula • Measured, sexed, weighed, tagged and conducted otolith extractions on white and longnose suckers, in addition to processing 12 other species of fish and turtles caught on study sites

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  University of Michigan, Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory

  May 2009 - Sept 2009

  Field Research Assistant

  Study on the functional importance of plumage characteristics as intraspecific signals in white-crowned sparrows• Collected GIS data, monitored, and filmed nests and behaviors of adult birds in invaded territories • Trapped and handled birds and small mammals, banded birds, and identified/recaptured individuals• Collected blood samples and measurements of birds• Prepared samples for laboratory tests on DNA, hormones, and parasites

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  University of Michigan Biological Station

  Aug 2009 - Nov 2009

  Field Research Assistant

  Study on the growth response of temperate vines to elevated atmospheric CO2 • Daily measurement of growth chamber CO2 concentrations and soil moisture levels• Measured growth rate, leaf area, photosynthetic rate, and stomatal density of plants to determine whether elevated CO2 affects carbon storage and physiological development of vines

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  UC Davis Tahoe Environmental Research Center

  Jan 2010 - Sept 2012

  • Managed communications and logistics with project collaborators and Advisory Board members• Recruited volunteer test participants to gather feedback and conduct evaluation in direct support of project• Prepared materials, such as the NSF Annual Report and training manuals, to meet project deliverables• Oversaw and trained 2012 AmeriCorps volunteers • Developed environmental education curricula, hands-on science activities and exhibits • Coordinated community outreach events and volunteer recruitment and training• Scheduled and presented educational programs, tours and field trips for visitors and students• Assisted with field research focusing on clarity studies, SRP and sediment lab analysis, zooplankton/macroinvertebrate sampling, and invasive management including electrofishing

  • Junior Specialist I NSF ISE Project Assistant

    Jan 2012 - Sept 2012

  • Education and Outreach Specialist, SNAP AmeriCorps Member

    Jan 2010 - Dec 2011
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  Environmental Traveling Companions (ETC)

  Mar 2012 - Dec 2012

  White Water River Guide, River Program Intern, Yuba Salmon Naturalist

  • Provided outdoor therapeutic recreation guiding whitewater trips for at risk youth and special needs populations• Aided in logistical planning, coordination of volunteers, program development and marketing • Partnered with the South Yuba River Citizen’s League to educate citizens about endangered Chinook salmon spawning ecology and river history

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  Forbes Tate, LLC

  Dec 2012 - Jul 2013

  Administration and Policy Associate

  • Managed day to day operations in direct support of lobbyists with an emphasis on energy and natural resource issues• Coordinated logistics for the Western Landowners Alliance “Hill” planning meetings to advance policies and practices that sustain working lands, native landscapes, and native species.

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  NEXTERA ENERGY, TCU WIND INITIATIVE

  Aug 2013 - Nov 2013

  Field Research Assistant

  Study of wind energy impacts on wildlife:• Conduct bat and bird mortality surveys, handling live and deceased species to process for identification, sex, collection of measurements, DNA samples, and GIS data • Bat activity monitoring using passive and active acoustical methods and night vision video recording• Data entry and analysis, including analysis of bat calls and activity using SonoBat and Kaleidoscope• Entomological surveys including light and malaise trapping and identification Show less

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  School of Agricultural, Forest, and Environmental Sciences SC Cooperative F&W Research Unit

  Jan 2014 - Dec 2016

  M.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Biology Candidate

  Modeling potential implications of prescribed fire on bat presence and activity and monitoring seasonally to inform winter activity

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  Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division

  Jan 2017 - now

  Bat Conservation Associate
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  Independent Consultant

  Jul 2018 - now

  Biological Consultant and Bat Biologist
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  Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies

  Jun 2022 - now

  Bat Conservation Program Coordinator