Shana Byrd

Experience

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  Corporation for National and Community Service, Rural Action

  Apr 2002 - Apr 2004

  AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer

  ∙Taught sustainable resource use through presentations, field interpretation and publications.∙Participated in vegetation monitoring, data collection and plant reproduction studies.∙Organized three regional conferences focused on income opportunities from land stewardship.

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  Rural Action

  Apr 2004 - Apr 2006

  Plant Specialist and Outreach Coordinator

  ∙Promoted membership and fostered partnerships in local communities and organizations.∙Managed plant conservation program for CITES listed species through education on cultivation.∙Facilitated the annual meeting for the National Network of Forest Practitioners, 2005.Rural Action’s mission is to foster social, economic, and environmental justice in Appalachian Ohio.Together, we envision a region of clean streams, healthy forests, thriving family farms, meaningful jobs for everyone, lively towns that remember local history and celebrate their stories, music, arts, and crafts, and people working together to make this vision a reality.Rural Action builds model sustainable development projects and encourages a broad civic conversation around Appalachian Ohio’s assets in order to create sustainable development paths for the region. Show less

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  The Wilds

  May 2006 - Feb 2015

  ∙Direct large scale land management planning and ecological restoration projects.∙Develop publications and public presentations that highlight biodiversity conservation.∙Oversee research plot establishment, biological monitoring, data collection and analysis.∙Manage program budget, staff and intern training programs.At 10,000 acres, the Wilds is one of the largest conservation centers in North America, and is home to rare and endangered animals from around the world.The mission of the Wilds is to advance conservation through science, education, and personal experience. For more information about visitor experiences, visit www.thewilds.org, or call 740-638-5030. Show less

  • Director of Restoration Ecology Program

    May 2012 - Feb 2015

  • Restoration Ecology Program Coordinator

    May 2006 - May 2012
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  The Dawes Arboretum

  Feb 2015 - Nov 2024

  ∙Develop and implement land management strategies, invasive species removal and native plant restoration∙Administer program budget, encourage public engagement and support conservation partnerships ∙Facilitate ecological monitoring, interpret research outcomes and plan educational programming ∙Provide leadership and professional development for technicians, interns, seasonal staff and volunteers As a living museum, The Dawes Arboretum encompass nearly 2,000 acres of gardens, plant collections, forests, meadows and wetlands - all providing inspiration, education and beauty for local and national visitors alike. Free and open to the public nearly year-round. Show less

  • Senior Director of Science and Conservation

    May 2022 - Nov 2024

  • Interim Senior Director of Plant Science and Research

    Feb 2021 - May 2022

  • Director of Land Conservation

    Feb 2015 - May 2022
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  The Nature Conservancy

  Oct 2024 - now

  Lead for The Nature Conservancy's Ohio Conservation Team

  Ohio Conservation Lead serves to implement the Midwest strategic priorities, provides leadership and manages field operations throughout teams located across Ohio, including land preservation, stewardship, regenerative agriculture, natural infrastructure, water protection, involving community engagement, involving conservation equity, and funding to support this work through a variety of partnerships.