About Me

I am currently a Natural Resources Biologist for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. I work with communities, non-profits, and local government to restore our natural resources, and improve water quality and habitat quality. On my own time, I lead the Barn Owl Nesting Project and assist with numerous avian and other wildlife studies. I am passionate about wildlife and natural resources, and I love to share my passion with others through education and volunteer programs.

I graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor in Geography. After working as a cartographer for National Geographic and a GPS company, my instincts drove me to look for something more gratifying. I wanted to partake in local efforts, to be active in restoration and behavioral change driven by environmental education. I also wanted to work with community members and children to improve our success in the sustainability movement. The Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Chesapeake Conservation Corps was the perfect entry into this field. I joined Maryland's Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve as a fellow and dove into its research, education, and restoration efforts. Working at the Reserve made me determined to continue in a career in conservation of our natural resources and wildlife research.

I want to thank Greg Kearns and Dave Brinker for being such supportive mentors and for always pushing me to learn more. I also want to thank Chris Snow and Coreen Weilminster for helping me discover my calling in the environmental field and for providing such an unforgettable experience at the Reserve. Finally, thanks to my friend Nate Nazdrowitz introducing me to the world of herps.

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MARION CLEMENT RESUME

Professional Experience

2016-2015 NATURAL RESOURCES BIOLOGIST, Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Coordinate with partner agencies & watershed groups to implement restoration projects including stream restoration, wetland creation, and living shorelines. Provide technical support to communities to pioneer projects that reduce stormwater, create habitat, and improve water quality.

2015-2014 NATURALIST, Maryland National Capital Park & Planning

Lead interpretive programs focusing on birds, wetland plants, and amphibians.

2013-2014 CHESAPEAKE CONSERVATION CORPS, Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve- Maryland

Field Assistant to Stewardship Coordinator, planned and implemented monitoring programs such as water quality, SAV, amphibians, fish, benthic macro invertebrates and birds.

Bird banding (b) and surveys (s): Barn owls (b), saw whet owls (b), waterbird colonies (s) secretive marsh birds (s), ospreys (b), migratory hawks (b), migratory songbirds (b) and pelicans (b).

Environmental Educator Assistant for programs & interpretive activities furthering estuarine and environmental literacy for students and teachers.

Pioneered the design, development and construction of the Monie Bay Water Trails, including securing grant funds, research of local ecology and maritime history, graphic design of way finding materials, and use of appropriate mobile technology for interpretive content. Coordination of event (40+ volunteers) to install trail signage and wildlife support structures. Webpage published.

2012 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAPS DIVISION INTERN, Washington, D.C.

Mapping specialist and designer: created design, theme-side maps, and illustrations for Miami & Keys Destination Maps (published), U.S. Public Lands poster map, and assisted in cartographic research for Poconos Destination Map.

EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC RESEARCH

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, School of Arts and Sciences (SAS)
SAS Honors Scholar: Geography Bachelor: Earth Systems, Climate, Conservation, Human-Ecology, GIS
Graduation with summa cum laude (GPA 4.0), Phi Beta Kappa
2012 B.A. in Geography, Highest Honors

2012 RESEARCH ASSISTANT, Professor Laura Schneider, Rutgers University

Study in the Yucatán Peninsula, on-site study of forest recovery post- hurricanes.

2012 HONORS PROJECT / UNDERGRADUATE THESIS:

A Case Study of Mapping Census Ancestry in Middlesex, New Jersey using ArcGIS and Google Earth, creation of webpage, public presentation.

2010-2011 RESEARCH ASSISTANT, Professor James K. Mitchell

Rutgers University Aresty Program, The Shantytown Mapping Project: Using Google Earth to Study Urban Shantytowns. Nominated Best Poster in Aresty Program Research Symposium.

2010 RESEARCH ASSISTANT, Sarah Wise, Rutgers University Doctoral Candidate

On-site interviewer of local inhabitants on Andros Island, Bahamas to analyze cultural significance of Blue Holes. Transcribed written oral interviews into quantitative excel data collection culminating in the thesis entitled: Shifting Grounds in the Ephemeral Islands: Perceptions and awareness of climate change in Andros Island, the Bahamas, by Sarah Wise.

HONORS AND ACADEMIC AWARDS

2012 Andrew Hill Clark Award:

Awarded to the most outstanding graduating senior in the Rutgers Geography Department

2012 Henry Rutgers Scholars Award:

Recognizes SAS seniors who have completed outstanding independent research projects for an honors thesis

2012 2nd Place in Student Illustrated Paper Competition:

Sponsored by the Remote Sensing/GIS/Cartography Specialty Groups, Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting

2011 Inducted into Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society

2008-2012 Academic Scholarships:

Rutgers University Scarlett Academic Scholarship, Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholarship, Sanofi-Aventis Scholarship Program.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

2016 REGISTRATION ORGANIZER, Eastern Bird Banding Association Annual Meeting

2015-2016 STEWARD IN TRAINING, Anne Arundel Watershed Steward Academy

2015-2016 BANDER, Project OWLnet: Saw Whet Owl migration research

2015 VOLUNTEER RESEARCHER, Maryland Native Bee Study by Sam Droege

2015 MEMBER, Maryland-Delaware Chapter of Wildlife Society

2012 OUTREACH ORGANIZER, Sixth Magrann Conference, Rutgers Department of Geography

2011-2012 PRESIDENT, Rutgers Undergraduate Geography Society; Organized educational events, trips, and lectures with professors.

2012 OUTDOOR FACILITATOR, Rutgers Go Outdoor Program

2010 Global Pact trip to Monteverde, Costa Rica: Studying local impact of ecotourism and sustainable development

SKILLS