NATURAL RESOURCES BRANCH
Cass, Wendy B. - Botanist
Bachelor of Science – Biology – Oberlin College
Master of Science – Botany – University of Vermont
Ms. Cass has been the Botanist at Shenandoah National Park since 1997. She manages the Park's long-term forest monitoring program, and works to monitor and protect rare plant species and communities throughout the Park. Her prior work experience includes studying the nutrient storage capacity of streamside vegetation, the bio-control of purple loosestrife, and the effects of catastrophic wind disturbance on forest regeneration. Her additional duties include assisting outside scientists and NPS education staff, performing environmental compliance field work, and managing a team of summer field technicians.
Demarest, David - Wildlife and Fisheries Biological Science Technician
Bachelor of Science – Environmental Science – Ferrum College
Mr. Demarest has worked for the Natural Resources Branch of Shenandoah National Park for more than 10 years. His duties include assisting the monitoring of flora and fauna as a lead technician and upkeep of monitoring equipment for those tasks. Special focus is on aquatic communities with specialized skills in electroshocking and fish identification and leading the yearly aquatic macroinvertebrate monitoring. Special projects include monitoring hourly stream water temperatures at selected sites in the Rapidan and North Fork Moormans Rivers and bi-yearly pictures from permanent points in the Staunton , Rapidan, and North Fork Moormans Rivers . Both of these projects are a result of monitoring efforts since the catastrophic June 1995 floods in Madison , Greene, and Albemarle Counties . Mr. Demarest also is lead assistant for capture and immobilization of nuisance/beggar wildlife within the park.
Garcia, Elizabeth - Air Quality Monitoring Technician
Bachelor of Arts – Environmental Studies – Green Mountain College Masters of Professional Studies – Recreation and Resource Management – SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Ms. Garcia has worked with the National Park Service at Shenandoah for five seasons. Her first season was as a Student Conservation Associate (SCA). She has held many Seasonal Biological Technician positions in various fields including Backcountry and Wilderness Management, Fire Monitoring, Resource Management and Forest Health. In late summer, 2004, she was hired to operate the parks air quality monitoring site.
Gubler, Rolf M. - Biologist and Forest Pest Manager
Bachelors of Science – Wildlife Science - Pennsylvania State University
Forest Science - Pennsylvania State University
Mr. Gubler has worked with the National Park Service for over 16 years. Previous assignments at Shenandoah National Park included Biological Technician, Air Quality Monitoring Technician, Environmental Protection Specialist, and Resource Management Specialist. Most of his professional experience has been focused on natural resource management. Currently he manages/supervises the Forest Insect and Disease program, Birds, Terrestrial Insects, Small Mammals and White-tailed Deer at Shenandoah.
Hochstedler, Wendy W. – Vegetation Monitoring Biological Science Technician
Bachelor of Arts – Biology and International Agriculture – Eastern Mennonite University
Master of Science – Plant Ecology – Miami University of Ohio
Ms. Hochstedler has worked at Shenandoah National Park for five seasons conducting forest and rare plant monitoring, as well as assisting with vegetation assessments after forest fires, in deer exclosures, and with plants of economic importance. In the spring of 2008, she began the role of lead vegetation monitoring technician and is responsible for supervision of summer field crews, data and collections processing, and equipment maintenance. Her prior work experience includes studying invasive plants and understory community dynamics, managing a university arboretum and greenhouse, and developing urban-rural local food networks.
Hughes, Jacob (Jake) - Exotic Plant Management Biological Science Technician
Bachelor of Science – University of Maryland – College Park
Mr. Hughes has worked for the past 4 years at Rock Creek Park (NPS) in Washington, D.C., where he led crews involved in vegetation management and monitoring. He has also worked in horticulture at the U.S. National Arboretum. At Shenandoah he is responsible for the field supervision of crews involved in exotic plant management, as well as for assisting with vegetation and fisheries monitoring projects.
Meyerhoeffer, Dale - Forest Health Biological Science Technician
Olson, Gordon C. - Natural and Cultural Resource Division Chief
Bachelor of Science – Environmental Interpretation – Colorado State University
Master of Science – Natural Resource Management – Slippery Rock State University
Mr. Olson has worked with the National Park Service for over 25 years. Assignments prior to Shenandoah National Park included Denali National Park and Preserve and Assateague National Seashore among others. Most of his professional experience has been focused on natural and cultural resource management. Currently he supervises all natural resource management activities at Shenandoah, serves as the park’s environmental compliance officer, and research coordinator.
Schaberl, Jim – Ecologist (Air and Water Specialist)
Associate of Science – Wildlife Technology – Pennsylvania State University
Bachelor of Science – Wildlife Management - West Virginia University
Masters of Science – Wildlife Ecology - State University of New York
Mr. Schaberl joined the resource management staff at Shenandoah in 2008. Prior assignments with the National Park Service include Mt. Rainier National Park, Voyageurs National Park, and Saratoga National Historical Park. Although he focused on wildlife management in his assignment at Mt. Rainier, he has a strong background in air and water resources management and has functioned for many years in the capacity of a general natural resource manager. His eight year experience at Voyageurs National Park, the area of which is nearly 40% water, includes concentration on a variety of water and atmospheric resource issues.
Williams, Alan - Ecologist / Data Manager
Bachelor of Science – Biology - Earlham College
Master of Science – Forest Resources - University of Georgia
Mr. Williams started as Ecologist/Data Manager for the Natural and Cultural Resources Division at Shenandoah National Park in July 2000. He works with the resource specialists to manage their data for immediate and future use. Projects he helps with include; water quality, aquatic invertebrate monitoring, native trout monitoring, non-native plant monitoring, forest health, rare plant monitoring, and Peregrine Falcon restoration. Alan regularly collaborates with the park GIS coordinator on a variety of mapping projects. He also is a member of the parks technical rescue team and wildfire fighting crew.
Wofford, Jeb – Fish and Wildlife Biologist
Bachelor of Science – Biology, Washington and Lee University
Master of Science – Fisheries Science, Oregon State University
Jeb came to Shenandoah from the U.S. Forest Service where he was working on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area in Idaho. Jeb has held a variety of wildlife and fisheries positions in Oregon, Alaska, Georgia, and Tennessee. Jeb adds a strong set of analytical skills and expertise in fisheries, water quality, aquatic invertebrates, and endangered species management to the park staff. At Shenandoah, Jeb manages programs associated with fish and aquatic invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, and large mammals.