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Gretchen Hoiness

Wildlife Biologist
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SUMMARY

Gretchen moved to Humboldt County from Oregon in 1996. After two years at College of the Redwoods, she transferred to Humboldt State University to acquire a Bachelor degree in Wildlife. She has been an employee of LBJ Enterprises since 1998, acting as the project manager. Gretchen is also involved in many of California's wildlife festivals, including the local Godwit Days, participating as a field trip leader. She is an active birder and is a member of the North Coast Chapter of the Wildlife Society.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

LBJ Enterprises (1998 to present)

Wildlife Biologist and projects manager

Conducts Marbled Murrelet surveys, Spotted Owl surveys, Snowy Plover surveys, point counts and area searches.

Manages office documents such as a project list, processes all field survey forms, schedules survey visits, produces Spotted Owl consultations and does data entry and produces data tables for reports.

EDUCATION

BS (1999) Wildlife. Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA.

PROJECT EXPERIENCE

• Point Count Experience:

Eel River and Mad River gravel bars from 1999 to present. Conducted point counts along the Eel River from the mouth of the Van Duzen to Fernbridge, and on sections of the Mad River from Blue Lake to Glendale.

Six Rivers National Forest point counts associated with Marbled Murrelet surveys in 1999.

• Bird Banding:

Assisted with extracting birds from the net, processing, and recording under Pablo A. Herrera at Leland Rock site and Yager Jct. site in 2000 & 2001.

• Oil Spill:

Assisted with oiled bird recovery after the Stuyvesant oil spill in Humboldt Bay September, 1999.

Experience with other T & E Species:

Northern Spotted Owl nighttime surveys and daytime status visits 1999, 2000, & 2001.

Marbled Murrelet certified 1999, 2000, & 2001 and conducted surveys for Simpson Timber Company all three years. Conducted Marbled Murrelet surveys for Six Rivers National Forest in 1999.

Other Training:

Western Snowy Plover identification and survey training with Ron LeValley (Mad River

Biologists) in 2000. Assisted with Snowy Plover surveys on the Eel River gravel bars from Holmes to Fernbridge in 2000 and 2001.

Volunteer Experience:

USFWS Western Snowy Plover monthly sweep surveys on the Eel River gravel bars.

Oiled bird recovery at the Marine Wildlife Care Center, Humboldt State University.

Birdwatching Experience:

Six years in California, occasional trips to Oregon, Washington and Arizona.

REFERENCES

Dr. Mark Colwell, Wildlife Department Chair, Humboldt State University, Arcata.

(707) 826-3723

Robert Hewitt, LBJ Enterprises, 1707 E. St. Suite 10, Eureks, CA 95501.

(707) 442-0339

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION

At the beginning of each year, I begin creating the project lists for owls, Murrelets, gravel bar bird monitoring, and Snowy Plovers. This involves the client and project name, the location of the project, and the prospective dates to visit the site for surveys. Field files with all of this information as well as a map, written directions, and the landowner or caretakers phone number should be available for the surveyor. Office files are created to hold any additional information that may come in regarding each project.

The beginning of the year also holds office tasks such as updating the company events calendar, planning for the classes that Rob teaches at HSU, and gearing up for our very own migratory bird festival, Godwit Days which LBJ plays a significant role in.

Throughout the year, I will be both in the field and in the office. Field work entails bird surveys at any and all hours of the day and night depending on which bird the survey is for. Office hours generally take place between the hours of 11am and 5pm. I try not to work on the weekends, but during the height of the field season, that is not always achieved.

Working with LBJ Enterprises is like raising a family. There are some sacrifices everyone has to make at some point. We believe that doing things for the good of the company ought to come before self-gain. As a somewhat adolescent company, we are growing stronger every year and the altruistic approach to the betterment of the company will in turn improve the skills and opportunities of the employees. Volunteering some time is essential for this development.

As biology work is as unexpected as the earth's changes, here are a few quotes to remember:

Ø Plan to improvise.

Ø Change is the only constant.

Ø Expect nothing. Be prepared for anything.