Dana Witwicki, Program Manager
970-267-2147 (Office), email
Education and Areas of Expertise
MS, Environmental Sciences, Oregon State University
BA, Biology, Cornell University
Dana joined the Rocky Mountain Network in 2022 as the program manager. Prior to that she worked with the Natural Resource Condition Assessment program, where she was the communications lead and project manager for Focused Condition Assessments in the Northeast and Southeast regions. Dana also spent 12 years with the Northern Colorado Plateau Network, where she supervised field crews and managed vegetation monitoring programs in uplands and wadeable streams. Outside of work she enjoys cooking, hiking, skiing, rock climbing, birding, and yoga.
Billy Schweiger, Ecologist
970-267-2147; email
Education and Areas of Expertise:
PhD, Ecology, University of Kansas
BA, Ecology, University of Colorado
Billy has worked for the NPS Inventory and Monitoring program since 2004, developing and implementing several long term monitoring protocols for six national parks. His interests are in the rigorous application of science to protected areas, stream and wetland ecology. Prior to the NPS he was a research scientist for the US Environmental Protection Agency. When not doing science, Billy likes to race cars, play Ultimate Frisbee and get lost in the wilderness...
Jennifer Nestler, Data Manager
970-267-2141 (Office)
e-mail us
Education and Areas of Expertise:
MS, Biomedical Science, Stony Brook University
MS, Geoscience, University of Iowa
BS, Environmental Science, University of Florida
Jennifer joined the Rocky Mountain Network team in 2024 as our data manager. She previously worked on the ecology of the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, first for the University of Florida and then as a contractor for Everglades National Park. In addition to her work in data management and quantitative ecology, she has also worked in vertebrate paleontology, primarily with crocodylians. Her focus as data manager is to create high-quality datasets to benefit our parks, inform management decisions, further scientific understanding, and preserve the information we collect for future generations. Her interests outside the office include gardening, knitting, the outdoors, and her motley assortment of pets.
Kati Zybko, Field Coordinator
970-225-3542; email
Education and Areas of Expertise:
BS, Conservation Biology, Colorado State University
Kati began working for the Rocky Mountain Network in summer of 2018 as a seasonal field technician through Colorado Natural Heritage Program. She worked as field crew for five years helping to identify plant species and collect field data for several long-term monitoring protocols including Wetland Ecological Integrity, Upland Vegetation and Soils, and Stream Ecological Integrity before taking a position as field coordinator. Previously she taught field-based ecology courses with Wildlands Studies in Chile. When not obsessing over plants in the parks, Kati can be found working on her small farm, mountain biking, or rafting.
Sonya Daw, Science Writer/Editor
541-552-8578; email
Education and Areas of Expertise:
MA, Professional Writing, Northern Arizona University
MS, Wildlife Science, Oregon State University
BA, Environmental Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz
BA, Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz
Sonya began working with the Rocky Mountain Network in 2015. She serves as the science communication specialist for multiple networks, including the Klamath Network, Greater Yellowstone Network, and the Mediterranean Coast Network. After years as an avian biologist, she went back to school to develop professional writing and communication skills. For the editorial duties of her current position, she helps NPS authors bring rough drafts of technical reports to final publication. For science communication, she helps develop outreach materials to share network science with parks and the public. Outside of work, she loves to hike, go birding, and play music.
Elizabeth Wu, Field Crew/Botanist
626-383-2668; email
Education and Areas of Expertise:
BS, Biology, University of Chicago
Elizabeth is a field crew botanist with the Rocky Mountain Network who is excited to explore the Rocky Mountains. She has a background in botany, tropical and temperate zone ecology, fire effects, and tiny wildlife (entomology and rodents). She jokes that she is an ecologist, because she can't pick a favorite flora/fauna. Elizabeth has previously worked for PACN (Pacific Island Network) at Haleakalā NP and Kalaupapa NHP. She has also worked &/or volunteered at Redwood National & State Parks, Everglades NP, Biscayne NP, Sequoia & Kings Canyon NPs. She looks forward to working with all the ROMN partner parks. Hobbies include nature, climbing, and being an aunt.
Vacant, Field Crew/Botanist
Last updated: April 3, 2024