About me
I developed my passion for wilderness and conservation while canoeing the Boundary Waters, surfing and harvesting fruit on Maui, and homesteading in Appalachia. At the University of Wyoming, I studied wildlife biology and environment and natural resources, with minors in restoration ecology, sustainability, and honors. I currently research human-wildlife conflict, have worked on community-based ecosystem restoration as president of the Restoration Outreach and Research Club, worked with interdisciplinary researchers on the human dimensions of sagebrush ecosystem management, and I seek inclusive, community-driven solutions for conserving and restoring natural and human landscapes. I currently live in Interior Alaska, where I spend my free time fishing and hunting and hiking.
CV
Education
Bachelor of Science University of Wyoming – Laramie, WY
GPA 3.976 out of 4.0 5/2020
Majors
- Wildlife & Fisheries Biology and Management
- Environment & Natural Resources
Minors
- Honors
- Reclamation & Restoration Ecology
- Sustainability
IACUC Certifications
- Human Subjects in Research 2021
- Physical Science Responsible Conduct of Research 2019
- Wildlife Research 2019
- Working with Small Mammals in Research Settings 2019
- Working with Amphibians in Research Settings 2017
- Working with the IACUC 2019
Publications
Bombaci, S., C. Farr, L. Pejchar, K. D. Wilkins, T. Wittman. 2025. Forward steps, lingering gaps: gender representation among distinguished speakers at professional conferences. BioScience
Wittman, T. & D. Bennett. 2023 Cows or condos: land-use changes and rancher outcomes following compensated public land grazing permit waivers. Rangeland Ecology and Management.
Bennett, D. & T. Wittman. 2022. Cows or condos: Rancher and land-use outcomes following
compensated federal grazing permit waivers. Ruckelshaus Institute of Environment and Natural Resources. University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY.
Wittman, T. 2021. After the road. Western Confluence, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY:
Ruckelshaus Institute.
Wittman, T. & D. Bennett. 2021. A synthesis of research on the human dimensions of sagebrush ecosystem management. Rangeland Ecology and Management.
Wittman, T. 2020. When natives persist. Western Confluence, Ruckelshaus Institute University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
Bennett, D., C., Barnwell, K. Freedman, S. Smutko, T. Wittman, and J. Western. 2019. Developing a social science research agenda to guide managers in sagebrush ecosystems.
Ruckelshaus Institute of Environment and Natural Resources. University of Wyoming,Laramie, WY
Research
Cows or Condos: Land-use and rancher outcomes from grazing lease retirements in the American West 2020-present
Supported by
- The Knobloch Family Foundation
- MacMillan Privte Lands Stewardship Fund
The human dimensions of sagebrush ecosystem management 2018-2019
Supported by
- Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
- Ruckelshaus Institute, University of Wyoming
Development of eDNA survey methods for the endangered WY Toad 2018
Supported by
- Wyoming NASA Space Consortium
Snowpack controls on nitrogen fixation in Laramie basin and range wetlands 2017
Supported by
- College of Arts & Sciences, University of Wyoming
- Haub School of Environment & Natural Resources, University of Wyoming
Professional Experience
Wildland Firefighter 2025
Alaska Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection
Tazlina, AK
Wildlife Technician / Dall Sheep Aerial Observer 2023 & 2025
Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game
Glennallen, AK
Wildlife Biologist / Realty Specialist 2024-2025
Bureau of Land Management
Glennallen, AK
Duties/Skills
- Attend resource advisory meetings to assess tribal and local concerns regarding subsistence resources
- Manage agreements and grant funds to propel conservation
- Understand and apply federal and state regulations to inform permitting and land management decisions
- Write reports for resource advisory councils and federal land management decisions including NEPA and AK Native allotment conveyances
- Assess landscape-scale ecosystem issues and provide recommendations for conservation of fish and wildlife
- Safely conduct field work in bear country using all-terrain vehicles and GPS
Research Scientist 2020-2024
Cows or Condos: Land-use and rancher outcomes from grazing lease retirements in the
American West
Ruckelshaus Institute
University of Wyoming – Laramie, WY
Duties/Skills
- Conduct social science research including interviews and surveys
- Work with a diverse research team on a sensitive social science topic
- Generate reports to funders
- Write for peer-reviewed publication
Research Assistant 2018 – 2020
Human dimensions of sagebrush management and identified gaps
Ruckelshaus Institute
University of Wyoming – Laramie, WY
Duties/Skills
- Conduct a comprehensive Web of Science literature search
- Research sagebrush ecosystem management
- Work with a research team to generate reports
- Conduct focus groups
- Write for peer-reviewed publication
- Present research at a national conference
Writer 2019
Author an article on Invasive Species
Institute of Environment & Natural Resources
University of Wyoming – Laramie, WY
Duties/Skills
- Develop a magazine article
- Write for publication
- Translate scientific research for communication with non-scientists
- Undergo extensive editing process
- Interview scientists
Field Technician 2019
Monitoring wildfire/mule deer habitat restoration
Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife
Oregon State University – Corvallis, OR
Duties/Skills
- Safely and humanely trap small mammals and attach ear tags
- Identify sagebrush steppe vegetation
- Point-intercept surveys
- Line-transect surveys
- Safe operation of ATVs & UTVs
- Detailed data collection
Researcher 2019
Development of eDNA identification methods for critically endangered WY Toads
Landscape Ecology & Ecological Genetics Lab
Dept. of Ecosystems Science & Management
University of Wyoming – Laramie, WY
Duties/Skills
- Generate funding through grant writing
- Extract total nucleic acids from tissue and water samples
- Interpret sequencing data to identify primers for PCR
Lead Field Technician 2018
Wyoming Toad Recovery Program
Landscape Ecology & Ecological Genetics Lab
Dept. of Ecosystems Science & Management
University of Wyoming – Laramie, WY
Duties/Skills
- Collaborate with diverse stakeholders
- on critically endangered species recovery efforts
- Build, install, and maintain wildlife enclosures in the field
- Transport, care for, and release critically endangered amphibians
- Lead amphibian and habitat surveys
- Collect detailed biological and GPS data in the field
- Locate animals using radio telemetry
- Enter and manage data in MS Access
- Set up and monitor automated wildlife audio recording equipment
Lab Technician 2018
Jeffrey City Greater Sage Grouse Project
Dept. of Ecosystems Science & Management
University of Wyoming – Laramie, WY
Duties/Skills
- Sort invertebrates from sagebrush soil samples
- Process samples for biomass and isotope analysis
- Set up and manage data sheets in MS Excel
Writer 2018
CL Bar Ranch Field Guide
Ruckelshaus Institute
University of Wyoming – Laramie, WY
Duties/Skills
- Research a local species pool
- Write species field identification information in narrative form
- Collaborate with editors on field guide information and layout
Field Technician 2017
Wyoming Toad Recovery Program
Dept. of Ecosystems Science & Management
University of Wyoming – Laramie, WY
Duties/Skills
- Collaborate with diverse stakeholders
- on critically endangered species recovery efforts
- Build, install, and maintain wildlife enclosures in the field
- Transport, care for, and release critically endangered amphibians
- Lead amphibian and habitat surveys
- Collect detailed biological and GPS data in the field
- Enter and manage data in MS Access
- Set up and monitor automated wildlife audio recording equipment
Presentations
The Wildlife Society & American Fisheries Society Joint Annual Conference 2019
A Synthesis of the Human Dimensions of Sagebrush Management and Identified Gaps
Poster Presentation
Izaak Walton League - Travelle Chapter 2019
Sagebrush Conservation & Restoration
Talk
Grants, Awards, and Scholarships
Spitaleri-Tobin Award 2020
$1,000 University of Wyoming
The Spitaleri-Tobin award is the highest honor awarded to a graduating student at the
University of Wyoming, recognizing academic excellence, contributions and service to
the University of Wyoming, leadership in co-curricular activities, and demonstrated
character and citizenship. Three students received this outstanding graduate award in
2020 from a graduating class of 2,300.
Udall Scholarship 2019-2020
$7000 Udall Foundation, NM
The Udall scholarship honors the legacies of Morris Udall and Stewart Udall, whose
careers had a significant impact on Native American self-governance, health care, and
the stewardship of public lands and natural resources. 55 scholarships were awarded
in 2019.
Jack & Eileen Routsen Scholarship 2019-2020
$4800 University of Wyoming
Rocky Mt. Elk Found. Wildlife Leadership Award 2019
$3000 RMEF – Missoula, MT
Honors Study Abroad Scholarship 2019
$500 University of Wyoming
Cheney Study Abroad Scholarship 2019
$800 University of Wyoming
Rocky Mountain Scholars Award 2018-2019
$6000 University of Wyoming
WY Reclamation and Restoration Center Award 2018-2019
$2500 University of Wyoming
Dr. Scholl Honors Scholarship 2018-2019
$1500 University of Wyoming
Honors Program Scholars Award 2018-2019
$500 University of Wyoming
Udall Scholarship Honorable Mention 2018
Udall Foundation, NM
Clements Award for Excellence in Ecology 2018
$1000 University of Wyoming
WY NASA Space Consortium Grant 2018
$2500 University of Wyoming
Plummer Scholarship 2017-2018
$5000 University of Wyoming
Dr. Scholl Honors Scholarship 2017-2018
$1500 University of Wyoming
Rocky Mountain Scholars Award 2017-2018
$6000 University of Wyoming
Haub School Independent Research Grant 2017
$200 University of Wyoming
College of A&S Independent Research Grant 2017
$3000 University of Wyoming
Honors Program Scholars Award 2017
$500 University of Wyoming
Adult Student Scholarship 2017
$200 University of Wyoming
Rocky Mountain Scholars Award 2016-2017
$6000 University of Wyoming
Daniels Boundless Opportunity Scholarship 2016-2017
$2000 University of Wyoming
Elizabeth Speer Rice Scholarship 2016-2017
$250 University of Wyoming
Engagement, Outreach, and Volunteer Work
Founder and President – Laramie Mutual Aid
Laramie, WY / 2020
Contributions
- Generate funding through writing and outreach
- Ethically manage funds to best support the community
- Engage with the Governor’s office to assess community needs during a pandemic
- Coordinate a large group of volunteers to support local distribution of supplies
- Engage with a nation-wide network of mutual aid groups
President 2019-2020
Restoration Outreach and Research (ROaR!)
Contributions
- Recruit and collaboration with local stakeholders to develop and implement ecosystem restoration in SE Wyoming
- Lead student members in campus activities
- Facilitate educational and outreach opportunities
- Organize travel and funding for guest speakers
Volunteer Instructor 2018
Native American Summer Institute
Contributions
- Teach small-mammal trapping to Native American students
- Set up and monitor small-mammal tracking grids
- Humanely handle captured small mammals
Vice President 2018-2019
Restoration Outreach and Research (ROaR!)
Contributions
- Lead student members in campus activities
- Facilitate outreach and engagement activities
Field Assistant 2017-2019
Chipmunk Program
Dr. Merav Ben-David
Pole Mountain, Albany County, WY
Contributions
- Track small mammals using radio telemetry
- Collect detailed biological data in the field
- Set up and monitor small mammal traps
- Humane handling of captured small mammals
- Assist in insertion of pit tags in small mammals
- Collaborate with a diverse group of scientists and volunteers
Field Assistant 2017
Audubon Rockies MAPS station
Laramie Audubon Society
Albany County, WY
Duties/Skills
- Detailed biological data collection in the field
- Humane handling of captured birds
- Identification of avian species in the field
- Set up, maintenance and remove bird trapping equipment
- Collaborate with a diverse group of scientists and volunteers
Surveyor 2017
Colorado Butterfly Plant Assessment
US Fish and Wildlife Service
Laramie County, WY
Duties/Skills
- Identify threatened species in the field
- Conduct quantitative vegetation surveys
- Collaborate with a diverse group of scientists and surveyors
Lab Assistant 2016-2017
What’s a lek got to do with it?
Energy development controls on Greater Sage Grouse genetic diversity
Beth Fitzpatrick, PhD candidate
Landscape Genetics & Spatial Ecology
Dept. of Ecosystems Science & Management
University of Wyoming – Laramie, WY
Duties/Skills
- DNA extraction
- Process samples through Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Prepare samples for transport to the Cornell avian genetics analysis lab