Andrew Ray, Network Program Manager
Primary Responsibilities: Planning, budgeting, implementation, and network-level coordination of the Southern Plains Inventory and Monitoring Network.
Protocol Associations: Streams, Climate
Education and Experience: PhD, Biological Science, Idaho State University; MS, Biology, Northern Michigan University; BS, Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Purdue University.
Before coming to the Southern Plains Network in 2022, I spent 10 years as an Aquatic Ecologist with the Greater Yellowstone Inventory and Monitoring Network. Previous appointments included Science Coordinator with the Crater Lake Science and Learning Center and Aquatic Biologist with the Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center in Bozeman, Montana. My professional interests are broadly focused around long-term ecological monitoring 1,2 and the conservation and assessment of freshwater ecosystems (wetlands, streams, and rivers). I enjoy thinking about how climate, invasive species, and land use activities affect the hydrological characters, chemistry, and communities of freshwaters.
1 Vital signs monitoring is good medicine for parks. Yellowstone Science (2019) 27:4-13.
2 Long-term monitoring of a species suite of ecological indicators: A coordinated conservation framework for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Ecological Indicators (2022) 137, 108774.
ResearchGate Profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Andrew-Ray-12
NPS
Heidi Sosinski, Data Manager
Primary Responsibilities: Overseeing the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of the network's data management applications, processes, and spatial data. Manages and supports IT equipment and operations.
Education and Expertise: BS, Natural Resources Management, Rutgers University (Cook College); NPS Intake Trainee Program Graduate, Natural Resources Management.
I have had the pleasure of being data manager for the Southern Plains Network for almost hte entirety of my career with the National Park Service. I first came on board in 2003 with a strong GIS background. My many years working with the network have given me ample opportunities to expand my knowledge by working with the various types of data our network collects in support of our vital signs monitoring. Prior to joining the network, I was a resource management specialist at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve and a biological science technician at Morristown National Historical Park.
NPS
Merran Owen, Vegetation Ecologist
Primary Network Responsibilities: Protocol development, project management and reporting/data analysis for vegetation monitoring protocols.
Active Projects: Vegetation Monitoring, Invasive Exotic Plants, Vegetation Management Plans, Reporting/Analysis
Education and Areas of Expertise: MS, Plant Ecology, Utah State University; BS, Ecology, The Evergreen State College, WA
I began working with the Southern Plains Network in 2015 and became the Vegetation Ecologist in 2022. Prior to working for the network, I was the vegetation crew lead at Mesa Verde National Park, where I planned and supervised invasive plant treatments, surveys of rare plant species, and long-term vegetation monitoring in areas affected by wildfire. My professional interests include plant taxonomy and restoration ecology, and in my free time I like to hike, cycle, garden, and travel.
Cheryl McIntyre, Quantitative Ecologist
Primary Responsibilities: Data analysis and quantitative support across protocols for the Southwest Network Collaboration.
Active Projects: Vegetation & Soils, Streams, Springs
Education and Areas of Expertise: PhD, Natural Resources, University of Arizona; MS, Chimistry, University of Oregon; BS, Chemistry, University of Portland
From 2004 to 2011, I was an ecologist with the Sonoran Institute in Tucson. While at the Sonoran Institute, I collaborated with numerous I&M networks and worked extensively with the Sonoran Desert Network. Prior to that, I was briefly a semiconductor process engineer. My areas of interest include biological soil crusts, erosion modeling, cooking, soccer, sailing, and bicycling.
Kara Raymond, Hydrologist
Primary Responsibilities: Data collection, management, analysis, and reporting, and providing project support for the Southwest Network Collaboration
Active Projects: Climate, Groundwater, Streams
Education and Areas of Expertise: MS, Water Resources Science, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; BS, Biological Aspects of Conservation, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Since 2017, I've worked for the Southern Arizona Office providing specialized hydrology and general natural resource support to parks and assisting three I&M networks, including the Southern Plains Network. From 2010 to 2014, I was a hydrologic technician with the Sonoran Desert and Southern Plains networks. Additionally, I have experience in the non-profit sector and local government. My current research interests include earthen architecture preservation, climate change adaptation, and biocrust restoration. Outside of work, I enjoy woodworking and other crafting, traveling, and playing board games.
Patty Valentine-Darby, Writer/Editor/Science Communicator
Primary Responsibilities: Edit and layout monitoring and other reports, develop science communication products
Education and Expertise: Master of Environmental Management, Natural Resource Ecology, Duke University, Durham, NC; BS in Marine Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, NC.
I joined the Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative in the summer of 2021 and work as a writer/editor/science communicator with the Southern Plains Network and the Natural Resource Condition Assessment Program. I have worked on reports and science communication products on a variety of natural resource topics for NPS for more than a decade. As a biologist and writer, I have also worked for federal and state government agencies, universities, and a nonprofit for the benefit of endangered species, other wildlife, and wetland habitats. In my free time I like to hike, camp, travel, and garden to create habitat for pollinators.
Tani Hubbard, Writer/Editor/Science Communicator
Primary Responsibilities: Edit and layout monitoring reports, develop and publish science communication products, webmaster.
Education and Expertise: MS in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX; BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona.
As a Research Associate with the Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative (2015–present), I work as a writer/editor/science communicator for the NPS Southwest Network Collaboration. I have more than 25 years of experience in science writing, editing, publishing, ecological research, and teaching in positions with nonprofit organizations, universities, and state and federal government. My interests include science interpretation and education, science accessibility, hiking, camping, reading, soccer, and travel.
Last updated: August 18, 2023