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
Wittman, T. & D. Bennett. 2023 (in-process). 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.
AllotmentBuyoutOutcomesReport_2022.pdf (wyomingwildsheep.org)
Wittman, T. 2021. After the road. Western Confluence, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY:
Ruckelshaus Institute. Western Confluence » After the Road
Wittman, T. & D. Bennett. 2021. A synthesis of research on the human dimensions
of sagebrush ecosystem management. Rangeland Ecology and
Management. A Synthesis of Research on the Human Dimensions of Sagebrush
Ecosystem Management - ScienceDirect
Wittman, T. 2020. When natives persist. Western Confluence, Ruckelshaus Institute
University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY: Western Confluence » When Natives Persist
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
Research Scientist 2020-present
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
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
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