Conservation Paleobiology Network

Pathways Working Group Member; Principal Investigators: Dr. Patricia Kelley & Dr. Gregory P. Dietl
The Pathways Working Group, supported by the NSF-funded Conservation Paleobiology Network, aims to identify core competencies and skills needed by conservation paleobiologists to tackle conservation challenges. Another primary goal is to identify a variety of pathways to careers in conservation paleobiology, including applied management and policy practice. The group is working to highlight some stories from individuals trained in conservation paleobiology who are employed in an applied non-academic conservation position to share the skills, challenges, and benefits of working within different agencies (e.g., federal, state, etc.). The compiled resources and advice will be useful to both students and mentors in conservation paleobiology and adjacent fields of study.

Oysters Past Working Group Communications Coordinator; Principal Investigators: Dr. Stephen R. Durham & Dr. Gregory P. Dietl
The Oysters Past Working Group (OPWG), supported by the NSF-funded Conservation Paleobiology Network, includes international members from both academic geohisotrical disciplines (e.g., paleontology, archaeology, historical ecology) and oyster management practitioners to identify ways geohistorical records could fill data gaps and meet management needs. The OPWG implemented a survey to both academics and practitioners to help align academic expertise with identified needs and information gaps. The OPWG plans to produce a guidance document for practitioners about the applications of oyster-specific geohistorical methods to help inform actionable research and management decisions.

Conservation Paleobiology Network Newsletter
I was a student member of the Conservation Paleobiology Network (CPN) newsletter team to formulate a bimonthly newsletter for CPN members from May 2020 to September 2021. I helped with the 'Postcards from the field' and student sections of the newsletter to highlight diverse fieldwork and student resources within the network.