Bio
Hello! I’m a climate nerd who spent too much time doom scrolling IPCC reports and instead decided to be part of the renewable energy transition. My current role as Idaho Conservation League’s Climate Program Manager involves the intersection of energy and environmental policy, with a focus on transportation infrastructure, renewable energy siting, and building a public understanding of the stakes and possibilities of our rapidly changing world.
Before moving into my current advocacy role, I earned a PhD researching how climate change is influencing ecosystems like deserts, grasslands, forests, and agricultural areas. Prior to that, I worked on the Tongass and Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests building long-term forest management plans. My nerdy specialties include soil carbon dynamics, fire effects on ecosystems, permafrost soils, biomarker sourcing techniques, and nature based carbon markets. You can learn more from my recorded PhD defense, my projects, or my published journal articles.
During my graduate work I taught courses that include environmental science, sustainability, forest biology, watershed hydrology, and many many soil science classes. I also co-produced the Inspiration Dissemination radio show, podcast, & blog where we interviewed graduate students about their research and personal stories. I must admit, the science communication part was sometimes more fun than the science! Nowadays I integrate the climate science and policy analysis with public communications to help create a better world for all of us.
When not working you can find me running in circles, mountain biking, playing soccer, rock climbing, or trying to learn how to ski. To learn more about my history read my Background.
Download my CV
- Renewable Energy Systems
- Terrestrial Carbon Cycling
- Transportation Infrastructure
- Science Communication
- Energy Policy
- Food Systems
- Learning
PhD in Soil Science, 2022
Oregon State University
MS in Sustainable Forest Management, 2016
Oregon State University
BS in Soil Science & Geology Minor, 2013
California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo
Skills
Projects
Publications & Talks
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Formal Experience
Responsibilities include:
- Analyzing NEPA reports, County land use policies, and State regulations to enable the development of renewable energy projects
- Developing and implementing climate campaign strategies that include scientific, legal, regulatory and grassroots tactics to make Idaho carbon neutral
- Building an understanding and consensus on climate smart policies
- Advocating for clean energy, electrified transportation, and social policies that ensure people are not left behind in this energy transition
- Establishing and building relationships with Tribes, agencies, elected officials, the business community, media and the public in order to build broad consensus for our overarching climate goals
Responsibilities include:
- Teaching Introduction to Soil Science Lecture & Laboratory Classes
- Preparing Lectures, Quizzes, Exams, and Field Activities
- Responding to Student Questions & Concerns
- Adapting Class & Lab to a Remote Instruction Format
Responsibilities include:
- Contacting & Interviewing Extension Scientists
- Writing for Extension Publications
- Connecting Academic Research to On-Site Practices
Responsibilities include:
- Field Collection of Soil Samples
- Tracking Soil Analysis Across Labs
- Performing Wet Chemistry on Soils
- Ecosystem-level Data Analysis
- Presenting Research at & Organizing Academic Conferences
- Writing for Academic Journals
Responsibilities include:
- Field Installation of Soil Sensors
- Performing Wet Chemistry on Soils
- Data Analysis of Experimental Treatments
- Writing for Academic Journals
Responsibilities include:
- Watershed management synthesis plans for achieving multiple objectives
- Incorporating GIS & field verification techniques for project implementation
- Report writing for actionable treatment areas
- Identifying watershed level projects where tree harvests and/or thinnings may coincide with potential fire brakes and other natural resource objectives.
Responsibilities include:
- The coolest job I’ll ever have
- Jumpin' outta helicopters to dig holes on steep hillsides to see how stable the soils actually were
- Navigating in a dense temperate rain forest with old school maps and an even older school GPS unit
- Driving on forest roads with loggers that drive like they’re in a car derby
- Detailing our field observations and providiing justifications for limitations to harvest prescriptions
Contact
- agallo~at~idahoconservation~dot~org
- 710 North 6th Street, Boise, ID 83702
- Consulting Services Available
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