We are fortunate to welcome Ali Urza to Whitebark as the Forest Health Program Director! Ali joins our team with a strong background in scientific research and applied expertise working with land managers. She’s led studies on ecosystem responses to wildfire and drought and her research background will be an incredible asset to Whitebark’s restoration and monitoring efforts in the Eastern Sierra.
Read on to get to know Ali a bit better in her own words!
Tell us a bit about your professional background.
I have Master’s and PhD degrees in Ecology, and my graduate research focused primarily on fire ecology in the western US. For the last 7 years, I worked as a Research Ecologist with the Rocky Mountain Research Station in Reno, leading studies on ecosystem responses to wildfire and drought and working closely with land managers to evaluate treatment effectiveness. I have also worked for the BLM, for 3 years as a wildland firefighter and for 2 years as a Natural Resource Specialist.
What aspect of working with Whitebark are you most excited about?
I am excited to work with such a vibrant team, supporting on-the-ground work that directly benefits forests and people in the region.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I grew up in Reno, and I’ve been traveling to the Eastern Sierra to recreate all my life. Over the last few years, I have been involved in research projects in the region, and through that work I’ve developed close friendships and a profound love of the landscape.