Dan M.

Dan M.

Ecologist

How did you get into ecology?

I started out as a biologist, and really enjoyed the ecology classes I took as an undergrad—learning about the interactions between organisms and organisms and their environment. In biology you are encouraged to emphasize certain parts of your degree, and ecology was conceptually the most interesting.

How did you end up at Tetra Tech?

I lived in Anchorage, Alaska, for almost nine years and completed my BSc in biology there. I then moved to New Zealand for two-and-a-half years for graduate school and received an MSc in Botany. In New Zealand, I worked for the Christchurch City Council helping their botanist implement a long-term grasslands monitoring program since they had recently discovered a new and very rare species of native plant in the area.

After that I moved to Boulder, Colorado, where I worked for a few years for an environmental consulting firm. I came to Tetra Tech to be part of a more dynamic team with more opportunities for advancement. I kept seeing Tetra Tech’s name on the ENR Top Design and Environmental Firms lists and thought I would check it out.

My first interview at Tetra Tech went really well—everyone was friendly and they were interested in providing diverse opportunities for growth.

What are some of the projects you’re working on?

I’m working on several gas storage projects, a pipeline project, and an oil and gas exploration project. In addition to writing about potential environmental impacts for these projects, the fieldwork component is very interesting. I’ve recently completed habitat assessments for Canada lynx (an endangered species), done stream surveys to assess habitat for Colorado River cutthroat trout, and teamed up with biologists from the Salt Lake City Tetra Tech office to complete some wetland delineations. It’s been a busy fall.

How would you describe your work environment?

I enjoy the small office (of about 25) and the casual but motivated people I work with. I also like that many of the people in my office share similar interests in outdoor pursuits as well. I’m an avid rock climber and occasionally my coworkers and I will spend our summer evenings climbing together at one of the many climbing areas around Boulder.