President
Jeff Schively, PWS For the past 8 years, Jeff has been slogging across Alaskan wetlands, swatting mosquitoes, overtopping his boots, and scratching his head in an attempt to understand the extent and ecological role of Alaska's diverse wetland habitats. Working as a lead wetland biologist for HDR Alaska, Inc., Jeff has had the opportunity to study wetlands across the state; from the windswept islands of the Aleutians to the soggy forest of southeast and northward to the frozen foothills of the Brooks Range. Through it all, Jeff has built an enormous amount of respect and appreciation for Alaska wetlands and the vital role they play in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Jeff understands the importance of wetlands in Alaska and has worked hard with planners, engineers, land managers, and resource agencies to identify proactive measures to avoid and limit impacts to wetlands. As an advanced user of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Jeff has successfully integrated innovative data management, mapping, and analysis tools into his wetland work to complete accurate, detailed assessments of wetlands. Using the powerful tools of GIS, Jeff has implemented rapid, accurate methods for mapping wetlands and assessing wetland function by utilizing and array of complex spatial databases and field datasets. His efforts in this field have helped foster data-driven, proactive wetland management decisions that help preserve wetland integrity rather than hasty, reactive decisions that often degrade wetland functions. Jeff received his degree in Biology/Ecology from Northern Arizona University where he worked with a diverse research group of plant ecologists and GIS specialists working to understand and map landscape-level changes to plant communities. Building from that experience, Jeff moved to Alaska in 2000 and has since developed a strong track record of managing complex wetland projects throughout Alaska. Jeff has trained many entry- and mid-level scientists in wetland delineation, plant identification, and functional assessments. Jeff is certified as a Professional Wetland Scientist under the Society of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification Program. You can contact Jeff by e-mail (jeff.schively@hdrinc.com) or by phone (907.644.2016)
Jeff Schively, PWS For the past 8 years, Jeff has been slogging across Alaskan wetlands, swatting mosquitoes, overtopping his boots, and scratching his head in an attempt to understand the extent and ecological role of Alaska's diverse wetland habitats. Working as a lead wetland biologist for HDR Alaska, Inc., Jeff has had the opportunity to study wetlands across the state; from the windswept islands of the Aleutians to the soggy forest of southeast and northward to the frozen foothills of the Brooks Range. Through it all, Jeff has built an enormous amount of respect and appreciation for Alaska wetlands and the vital role they play in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Jeff understands the importance of wetlands in Alaska and has worked hard with planners, engineers, land managers, and resource agencies to identify proactive measures to avoid and limit impacts to wetlands. As an advanced user of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Jeff has successfully integrated innovative data management, mapping, and analysis tools into his wetland work to complete accurate, detailed assessments of wetlands. Using the powerful tools of GIS, Jeff has implemented rapid, accurate methods for mapping wetlands and assessing wetland function by utilizing and array of complex spatial databases and field datasets. His efforts in this field have helped foster data-driven, proactive wetland management decisions that help preserve wetland integrity rather than hasty, reactive decisions that often degrade wetland functions. Jeff received his degree in Biology/Ecology from Northern Arizona University where he worked with a diverse research group of plant ecologists and GIS specialists working to understand and map landscape-level changes to plant communities. Building from that experience, Jeff moved to Alaska in 2000 and has since developed a strong track record of managing complex wetland projects throughout Alaska. Jeff has trained many entry- and mid-level scientists in wetland delineation, plant identification, and functional assessments. Jeff is certified as a Professional Wetland Scientist under the Society of Wetland Scientists Professional Certification Program. You can contact Jeff by e-mail (jeff.schively@hdrinc.com) or by phone (907.644.2016)
Vice President
Rachel A. Cruz Rachel is a lifelong Alaskan and have always enjoyed Alaska's outdoors. Rachel received a B.S. in Environmental Science from St. Mary's College of California and is nearing completion of a graduate-level NEPA Certification from Utah State University. She have also taken the USACE Wetland Delineation Course, as well as training on the USACE AK Supplement and participated in other various workshops related to wetland issues (e.g. plant indicator status revisions, sedge identification). Rachel has been working in the environmental field for six years and is currently an environmental planner at DOWL Engineers. She has conducted wetland delineations and functions and value assessments for more than 20 projects located in all regions of Alaska. Rachel's previous non-profit experience includes working and volunteering at the Oakland Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Over the four years that she spent with the OSPCA she did everything from cleaning, training dogs, adoption counseling, and assisting with fund raising events. Locally, and more recently, Rachel has volunteered for the Anchorage Waterways Council by collecting water quality data for Ship Creek.
Rachel A. Cruz Rachel is a lifelong Alaskan and have always enjoyed Alaska's outdoors. Rachel received a B.S. in Environmental Science from St. Mary's College of California and is nearing completion of a graduate-level NEPA Certification from Utah State University. She have also taken the USACE Wetland Delineation Course, as well as training on the USACE AK Supplement and participated in other various workshops related to wetland issues (e.g. plant indicator status revisions, sedge identification). Rachel has been working in the environmental field for six years and is currently an environmental planner at DOWL Engineers. She has conducted wetland delineations and functions and value assessments for more than 20 projects located in all regions of Alaska. Rachel's previous non-profit experience includes working and volunteering at the Oakland Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Over the four years that she spent with the OSPCA she did everything from cleaning, training dogs, adoption counseling, and assisting with fund raising events. Locally, and more recently, Rachel has volunteered for the Anchorage Waterways Council by collecting water quality data for Ship Creek.
Treasurer/Secretary
Stacey Re' Stacey is an environmental scientist at CH2M HILL with a biology background. Although she spends a good deal of time in her consulting life working in the realm of environmental policy and soil/groundwater contamination, her heart still lies in working more directly in biological sciences. She has gone through the wetland delineation course with National Wetland Training Institute, and while they do not make up the majority of her workload, wetland delineations are definitely among her favorite tasks. She is also participating in an Anchorage-based (USACE-led) discussion group aimed at improving Alaska wetland revegetation efforts following construction damage. Stacey looks at Alaska as a land of opportunity when it comes to properly planning land use and limiting environmental impact. Wetlands are essential for many reasons, from providing crucial habitat to acting as environmental "filters" by pulling out contaminants. She sees being a governing member (Treasurer) of the local Society of Wetland Scientists as a position that would give her opportunity to help organize and provide educational events and programs to help Alaskans become (and stay) aware of the importance of our wetlands.
Stacey Re' Stacey is an environmental scientist at CH2M HILL with a biology background. Although she spends a good deal of time in her consulting life working in the realm of environmental policy and soil/groundwater contamination, her heart still lies in working more directly in biological sciences. She has gone through the wetland delineation course with National Wetland Training Institute, and while they do not make up the majority of her workload, wetland delineations are definitely among her favorite tasks. She is also participating in an Anchorage-based (USACE-led) discussion group aimed at improving Alaska wetland revegetation efforts following construction damage. Stacey looks at Alaska as a land of opportunity when it comes to properly planning land use and limiting environmental impact. Wetlands are essential for many reasons, from providing crucial habitat to acting as environmental "filters" by pulling out contaminants. She sees being a governing member (Treasurer) of the local Society of Wetland Scientists as a position that would give her opportunity to help organize and provide educational events and programs to help Alaskans become (and stay) aware of the importance of our wetlands.