Shannon (Grubbs) Barron

Experience

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  USFWS

  Sept 2002 - Sept 2004

  Intern at Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge

  Captured, trapped, and radio-collared endangered Attwater's prairie chickens; Monitored daily movements and activities of radio-collared prairie chickens; Constructed acclimation pens; Cared for captive prairie chickens; Recovered and assessed prairie chicken mortality; Collected, entered, managed, and analyzed data; Located (via radio telemetry) and monitored nests and chick mortality; Constructed exclosure fences around nests; Constructed exclosure boxes for broods; Trapped and captured Greater prairie chickens in Minnesota; Collected comparative brood site field data on the endangered Attwater's prairie chicken in Texas and stable populations of Greater prairie chickens in Minnesota and Wisconsin; Analyzed data and made recommendations for endangered species management of the Attwater's prairie chicken; Worked closely with federal, state, and private agencies for recovery and captive breeding efforts; Worked closely with private landowners for monitoring access; Conducted biological surveys (e.g. vegetation, avian, mammalian, and herp) to determine health of the prairie ecosystem; Participated in Christmas Bird Count; Conducted herpetofaunal drift fences surveys; Trapped snakes with funnel traps and drift fences; Completed vegetation transects; Constructed and monitored scent stations; Implemented chemical and mechanical brush control methods for invasive exotic vegetation; Participated on prescribed burns as a fire crew member; Utilized ATVs for herbicide application and mowing of fire breaks; Collected seeds and plant specimens for refuge herbarium; Used dichotomous key for plant identification; Conducted educational presentations for refuge visitors; Managed rain collection site for acid rain monitoring efforts; Utilized 4WD vehicles and UTVs. Show less

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  USFWS

  Feb 2005 - Aug 2005

  Mexican Wolf Recovery Project Volunteer

  Assisted in daily management activities of the endangered Mexican gray wolf; Radio tracked wolves daily in backcountry areas; Handled, drew blood, and radio collared wolves for release; Cared for captive wolves; Trapped free roaming wolves; Collected, entered, and managed data; Located and assessed kills made by wolves; Assisted with releases and captures; Constructed acclimation pens; Gained familiarity of the Endangered Species Act and the non-essential experimental designation; Visited and educated landowners about Endangered Species Act regulations; Managed federal vehicle; Worked alone and as part of a team; Worked extensively with federal, state, and tribal employees as part of a common goal; Assisted with aerial tracking efforts; Member of mule pack team used to haul acclimation pen materials and wolves to wilderness areas; Hiked and camped in wilderness areas to track, trap, and remove wolves; Utilized 4WD vehicles, ATVs, and snowmobiles to access remote areas; Collected wolf scat for diet analysis; Hazed wolves from areas of heavy livestock use; Collected roadkill ungulates to feed captive and recently released wolves; Constructed and monitored scent stations to verify wolf presence. Show less

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  The University of Arizona

  Aug 2005 - Dec 2007

  Research Assistant

  Researched urban coyotes in Tucson, AZ for Masters thesis

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  Cochise County

  Jan 2008 - Jan 2012

  GIS Technician

  Served in a technical position responsible for GIS database conversion and maintenance; Provided GIS related assistance to staff and management; Utilized software and techniques to perform spatial analysis; Created mapping applications for analysis, presentation, and distribution; Maintained layers in GIS (Encompass-Geodesy and ArcGIS); Used records of survey, Assessor maps and plats, and GLO survey notes to research and prepare for field work; Utilized survey grade and mapping grade GPS equipment for data collection; Located and recorded position of PLSS monuments; Utilized 4 WD vehicles and UTVs for data collection; Used hand and electric tools to recover PLSS monuments; Performed field work alone and as part of a team; Worked with landowners to access federal, state, and private land; Processed all collected field data in the GIS; Added land parcels into the GIS based on records of survey; Managed databases (Microsoft Access) for related GIS layers. Show less

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  Arizona Game and Fish Department

  Jan 2012 - Feb 2013

  Habitat Stewardship Specialist

  Worked with landowners to incorporate wildlife habitat into their management plans.Split position between AGFD and NRCS

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  North Wind Resource Consulting

  Feb 2013 - Feb 2018

  Wildlife Biologist

  Contract biologist with Fort Huachua Environmental and Natural Resources Divison, specilaizing in threatened and endangered species.

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  Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

  Feb 2018 - now

  Wildlife Biologist
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  The Riding Therapy Center of Victoria

  Sept 2023 - now

  Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor