Dr. Nita Tallent Takes the Helm as Chief of Natural Resource Management and Science at Cape Cod National Seashore

Dr. Nita Tallent, Chief of Natural Resource Management and Science at Cape Cod National Seashore

NPS Photo.

News Release Date: August 22, 2016

Contact: George E. Price, Jr., Superintendent, 508-771-2144

Superintendent George Price has announced the selection of Dr. Nita Tallent as the Chief of Natural Resource Management and Science for Cape Cod National Seashore. Before her selection, Nita served as the program manager for the National Park Service (NPS) Mojave Desert Network Inventory &Monitoring Program, Pacific West Region in Boulder City, Nevada. Nita was born in Arkansas and grew up around the world in Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Austria before her family settled in New Hampshire. She earned a Ph.D. at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, College of Life Sciences, where her focus was on the impacts of non-native plants on New Zealand floodplains.

Nita's 20+ year career as a field ecologist has provided her with a wide range of experience in the applied science and ecology of floodplain ecosystems, forest, high elevation montane, rangelands, and deserts. Most recently, she led a team of natural resource scientists and professionals in the inventory and monitoring of natural resources at the nine national park units that comprise the Mojave Desert Network. NPS Inventory and Monitoring networks are tasked with the establishment, collection, and analysis of data about the condition of natural resources over multiple years in the present and far into the future. These studies and monitoring efforts are similar to ongoing efforts initiated over the past few decades at Cape Cod National Seashore and intended to continue in perpetuity. Before joining the Department of the Interior in 2010, Nita was a research scientist with the US Environmental Protection Agency.

"Nita brings a tremendous background in field science and resource management. In addition to her experience in the sciences and resource management, she has a passion for fostering high-performing teams to address the challenges that national parks are currently confronting, such as climate change," said George Price, the park's superintendent. "She is interested in applying her experience building inter-disciplinary teams, internally and externally, to continue the development and implementation of programs in response to our ever-changing environment. Nita will be a major asset to our senior management team, and we are glad she is on board."
"I am excited to continue my public service at Cape Cod National Seashore, and it is a pleasure to work with such an exceptional team of scientists, educators, and managers. What an incredible opportunity and honor to participate in the sustainable use and protection of the natural and cultural resources of the national seashore," said Nita. " Dr. Tallent fills the position vacated by Jason Taylor. She is thrilled to be living in Wellfleet and is looking forward to exploring the communities, history, and natural resources of the Outer and Lower Cape.

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