ABOUT US
American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to wilderness, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S. working to restoring urban forests and forested landscapes for nearly 150 years.
American Forests is proud to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive and accessible workplace. These are our shared values. We welcome individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member.
POSITION SUMMARY
Whitebark pine is an iconic tree species that thrives at high elevations across seven western US states and is known as both a keystone and foundation species where it exists. Whitebark pine populations have been in a well-documented decline because of four primary stressors: white pine blister rust, mountain pine beetles, severe wildfire, and climate change (drought, changing fire regimes). Populations within the southern Sierra Nevada have shown recent declines in some areas but not yet experienced the widespread, rapid declines seen in other parts of the range. Whitebark pine was listed as threatened on January 17, 2023, under the Endangered Species Act, and is the widest ranging tree species to receive this designation.
In 2023, American Forests partnered with the National Park Service under a five-year agreement to work together to restore whitebark pine populations in western National Parks. As a part of this agreement, American Forests is working with National Park Units in the southern Sierra Nevada to expand scientific, planning, and restoration capacity and leadership for whitebark pine conservation. This position is a unique opportunity for the right candidate to work in a position that provides experience working within both federal and nonprofit sectors. This position would be hosted by the Resilient Forests program at American Forests, with technical supervision by an ecologist at Yosemite National Park or Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks.
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:
Whitebark Pine Conservation and Restoration Planning (40%)
- Work with National Park Service staff, federal, tribal, and nonprofit partners to assemble a 20-year strategy for recovering whitebark pine populations, preserving wilderness character, and meeting other related management needs in Yosemite National Park, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, and Devils Postpile National Monument.
- Review literature and research on conservation and restoration best practices.
- In collaboration with park staff, coordinate environmental compliance of conservation and restoration planning with park compliance staff and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Whitebark Pine Research and Field Assessment (30%)
- Create a strategic plan outlining research needs for Whitebark Pine in Sierra Nevada parks. Information needs include:
- Whitebark pine distribution map, including some measure of abundance (e.g. canopy cover) or estimate of population number.
- Understanding genetic variation in Sierra Nevada populations and how should that inform conservation actions including but not limited to cone collection locations, assisted gene flow, and potential planting sites.
- Identifying other critical information needs to be successful in whitebark pine management in the southern Sierra Nevada.
- Lead the integration of information from other portions of the range and other agencies into planning for the southern Sierra Nevada.
Whitebark Pine Data Management (15%)
- Summarize available information on whitebark pine status and trend in the Sierra Nevada parks (Yosemite National Park, Sequoia &Kings Canyon National Parks, and Devils Postpile National Monument) and surrounding National Forests to establish a baseline condition assessment of the Sierran population.
- Share summary compilation of current data with park units, nonprofit and federal agency and tribal partners.
Restoration and Conservation Coordination (15%)
- Provide scientific direction and leadership to cone collection, gene conservation, and blister rust screening efforts in Sierra Nevada parks beginning in early summer 2024.
- Identify project and partnership-based opportunities for National Park units to coordinate with other land management agencies on conservation and restoration planning, implementation, and monitoring.
- Implement restoration and conservation projects as identified.
- Co-lead a technical advisory committee of natural resources managers and scientists from the four parks, Inventory and Monitoring Network, USGS field office, USFWS, USFS, tribal partners, and others.
- Participate in regular American Forests Resilient Forest team and regional program meetings, ensuring that this position is an active and visible component of our work in the Southern Sierra Nevada.
- Represent American Forests and National Park units in regular coordination meetings with external stakeholders and partners.