Sue Wolff, wildlife biologist, Grand Teton National Park
Sue Wolff is in her ninth year as a wildlife biologist for Grand Teton National Park. She got her undergraduate degree from Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA and her graduate degree school in wildlife biology from Southern Illinois University. She has worked throughout the West on a variety of species from bears to birds. Currently, her work focuses on species of concern, neotropical migratory birds, raptors, pikas, sage-grouse, amphibians and bears. She is part of the Park’s bear management team and a member of several local working groups committed to wildlife conservation. Sue feels fortunate to live in Jackson Hole where wolves, grizzly bears, trumpeter swans, herds of elk and bison, and numerous other species live in their natural habitat. She has been in Jackson for 10+ years and worked as a dog musher until she got a wildlife job. She is an avid nordic skier and loves long distance races. This year she completed a 90K in Colorado. She loves all outdoor activities from climbing to skiing.
Dr. Anna Chalfoun, Research Faculty in the Department of Zoology and Physiology at the University of Wyoming
Anna is research faculty in the Department of Zoology and Physiology at the University of Wyoming and associated with the USGS Wyoming Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit. She received her PhD from the University of Montana in Missoula. Currently she conducts and supervises graduate research on important conservation issues facing non-game wildlife species (including birds, small mammals and herpetofauna) in Wyoming. Locally she is the Principal Investigator of the Avian Pathways Project within Grand Teton National Park which is examining the potential impacts of the new bicycle pathway on breeding sagebrush songbirds. While waiting for birds to migrate back to Jackson in the spring, she loves playing left wing for the Jackson Hole Women’s Ice Hockey team.
Dr. Stephen Gray, Director, University of Wyoming’s Water Resources Data System and Wyoming State Climatologist
Stephen Gray is the director of the University of Wyoming’s Water Resources Data System and the Wyoming State Climatologist. Steve’s work explores the interplay between climate variability, climatic change, and natural resource management. Much of his research focuses on drought and climate change impacts in the western United States. His most recent studies include a detailed examination of snow pack variability in the Upper Colorado River Basin, and a review of how changes in ocean circulation patterns can affect precipitation in the West. Steve received the American Water Resources Association’s Henry R. Boggess Award in 2005, and he is a former National Research Council Research Associate with the U.S. Geological Survey. Steve received his Ph.D. in Botany from the University of Wyoming in 2003, and he holds an M.S. in Botany from the University of Oklahoma.
Wallace Ulrich, President of the Geologists of Jackson Hole, owner, Fossil Portal
A Wyoming native and geoscientist, Wallace Ulrich splits his time between his operations at Fossil, Wyoming and his office, lab and studio in Jackson. He is the Chairman of the state's Geological Survey Board, President and a founding member of the Geologists of Jackson Hole, and Trustee of American Geologic Institute Foundation. Wally began his earthscience career in his family fossil quarries, shortly after he could walk, becoming a member of the Princeton University field crew for the renowned Dr. Glen Jepsen in 1959 and for a decade learned about the intricacies of field paleontology under his guidance. Wally attended the University of Wyoming, and after helping create Fossil Butte National Monument through Congressional action from his family’s initiation was selected as its first paleontologist. With his friend, Wayne Johnson, he founded and directed one of the nation’s first public school environmental education institutes in western Wyoming. Over the last thirty years, he has built his field operations business in architectural and art applications of Wyoming's Fossilstone™ and his pieces are in prestigious scientific and art museums around the world. His work in geoscience and public policy solves problems and benefits populations. Recent work created the Teton Seismic Network for public safety. He is presently working on creating a seismic network for the Yellowstone Volcano as well as directing areas for new geoscientific work in Wyoming.
Susan Patla, Non-game biologist, Wyoming Game and Fish
Susan has been employed as the non-game biologist in Jackson for Wyoming Game and Fish Department since December 1998 and much of her work focuses on monitoring and managing bald eagle, trumpeter swan and other raptor and bird populations in western Wyoming. Her first job in wildlife was a year round study of nesting Bald Eagles on the South Fork of the Snake in Idaho. She has a Master's degree from Idaho State University on the nesting ecology of the Northern Goshawk. Other work included a stint at Scripps Institute of Oceanography, experimental viticulture/winemaking, eagle and goshawk work in southeast Alaska, and seasonal wildlife jobs at Grand Teton National Park. River trips remain one of her favorite ways to observe and enjoy birds.
Phil Cameron, Club Naturalist, Snake River Sporting Club
Cameron is the Club Naturalist at Snake River Sporting Clubin Jackson, Wyoming. He received his BA in Geology from Amherst College and completed the Teton Science Schools’ Professional Residency in Environmental Education after several seasons of guiding fly-fishing on local rivers. Phil joined the Snake River Sporting Club’s staff in 2005 after working as the Water Education Coordinator at the Teton Science Schools. He enjoys the diverse responsibilities of a job that allows him to work as an environmental educator, guide and natural resource manager in a single position. Phil is an avid outdoor enthusiast; amongst other things he enjoys biking, hiking, hunting, telemark skiing, fly-fishing and river trips. Currently the President of the Jackson Hole Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Phil thoroughly enjoys working with community members, local agencies and other non-profits to improve and protect Jackson’s coldwater fisheries.
Joe Starinchak, Outreach Coordinator for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Branch of Invasive Species and for thenational Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force
Joe Starinchak currently works in a dual capacity as the Outreach Coordinator for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Branch of Invasive Species and for the national Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force. He resides in Northern Virginia with his wife and two children. Having worked for two state fish and wildlife agencies, the scientific and professional society for wildlife biologists, a national environmental organization, a major land-grant research university and the trade association for the recreational fishing industry, Joe has developed a very unique perspective regarding conservation. Seven years ago, Joe assumed his current position with the USFWS bringing a results-oriented approach. By developing Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!, he has redefined the way the USFWS does outreach and has enlisted unprecedented numbers of partner organizations to help in raising awareness about invasive species. Joe has also created a similar partnership campaign with the pet and aquarium industry known as Habitattitude to prevent the release of aquarium plants and fish and is currently working with the pharmaceutical industry on a new campaign to promote the environmentally responsible disposal of excess medications. Joe enjoys relaxing on the water and spending time with his family.
Roger N. Smith, Resident Naturalist- 3 Creek Ranch
Roger Smith is currently the resident naturalist at 3 Creek Ranch in Jackson, Wyoming where he leads year-round natural history programs. He received his BS in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana in Missoula and his MS in Wildlife Biology from the University of Wyoming. While currently passionate about birds of prey, he had the good fortune to also study grizzly and black bears for a number of years. He worked for Grand Teton Park and Craighead Beringia South as a wildlife research biologist, as a faculty member at the Teton Science School, and as an instructor for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). He is currently the director (and founder) of the Teton Raptor Center and is serving on the boards of the Grand Teton Natural History Association and the Jackson Hole Wildlife Foundation. He is passionate about rivers, fishing, biking, skiing and his family.
Tom Patricelli, Executive Director, Campaign for the Snake Headwaters
Tom Patricelli is the Executive Director of the Campaign for the Snake Headwaters, a non-profit coalition of outfitters, business owners, river users, and conservationists advocating for Wild and Scenic designation of several rivers and streams in northwest Wyoming. Prior to his current position, Tom was President of the Jackson-based Keep Yellowstone Nuclear Free, which successfully killed plans by the U.S. Department of Energy to build a plutonium waste incinerator at its Idaho facility, 90 miles upwind of Jackson Hole. He also spent many years living in Washington, D.C., where he was a speechwriter in the Administration of President George H. W. Bush. He also served as speechwriter and press secretary for U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe from Maine, and worked for the Joint Economic Committee of Congress. In between all that, Tom guided whitewater and scenic float trips on the Snake River for 7 seasons, and taught skiing at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
Tom Hicks, Executive Director and Founder, Headwaters Institute
Tom Hicks is the executive director and founder of the Headwaters Institute. He instructed at the Colorado Outward Bound School and guided whitewater rafting and sea kayaking trips across the United States for ten years. He is also an attorney currently practicing law in San Francisco, California. While in law school, he chaired the inaugural California Water Law Symposium and has more recently helped the ABA Water Resources Committee launch a similar Northwest Water Law Symposium, which will be held in Portland, Oregon in January of 2009. At different times, Tom has worked or interned for the San Francisco Office of the City Attorney, the California State Water Resources Control Board, the Natural Heritage Institute, American Rivers and the Santa Fe Ski Patrol.
Wayne Johnson, owner, Salmon River Rafting Company
Wayne Johnson, a graduate of the University of South Alabama, came to Jackson Hole in 1965 and began rafting the Snake River in 1967. Wayne became a partner/ manager for the Barker-Ewing Idaho operation in 1981 and purchased the Idaho operation in 2000. Wayne now spends much of the summer on the Salmon River in Idaho but also helps out at Jackson Lake Lodge with their scenic float trips when time allows. This is Wayne's 43rd year as a river guide and 26th year as an outfitter on the Salmon River. With a strong interest in history, he has written a detailed manuscript documenting the history of efforts culminating in the creation of Grand Teton National Park and is currently working on a book describing the lives of several strong women who settled in the Salmon River Canyon in Idaho. He is the author of "Campfire Thoughts", a small book of poetry and essays.
David Cernicek, River Manager for the Bridger-Teton National Forest
David has been actively running rivers since age twelve. He has worked as a guide and manager of commercial rafting companies in Colorado and Idaho. While attending graduate school to complete a master’s degree in Natural Resource Management, David worked as a professional researcher investigating river carrying capacity and conflict issues. He worked with the National Park Service’s River, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program in Washington D.C., where he had the chance to participate in national river conservation policy formulation and work with the Wild & Scenic Rivers Program. While in college, David became a river ranger. Since then, he has worked on the Rio Grande and Rio Chama in New Mexico, the Stanislaus and Toulumne Rivers in California, and is currently on the Snake River in Wyoming. David is currently the River Manager for the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Jackson Hole, Wyoming where he manages all river corridor use including all outfitter and guide operations.
