Education 

M.A. Environmental Studies 
Focus: Conservation and Environmental Education
Prescott College

Prescott, Arizona 2000 - 2002 

Thesis: Reading Between the Tides: Uniting Research and Education 

Relevant coursework: Environmental Education Theory and Curriculum Development; Rainforest Ecology; Coastal Marine Ecology; Marine Mammal Conservation; Coral Reef Ecology; Conservation Biology; Research Methods; Statistics

B.A. Biology
Focus: Marine Biology
University of California, Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA  1992 - 1994

Senior Essay: Comparative essay of Rehabilitation Centers Along the Pacific Coast and Their Treatment of Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina)  

Relevant coursework: Population and Ecosystem Ecology; Animal Behavior; Invertebrate Zoology; Comparative Pathobiology; Marine Botany; Biostatistics; Biology of Marine Mammals; Fossil Records

A.A. Liberal Arts and Sciences
Ventura College

Ventura, CA   1989 - 1991

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Photography Skills
Wildlife 
Landscape 
Portrait 
Travel
Digital video
​Underwater photo and video

Scientific Skills
Data collection of Federally threatened & endangered species
Wetland restoration monitoring
Microscope
Cetacean Photo ID
REEF fish surveys
Vegetation inventories
Intertidal diversity monitoring 

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Technical and Editing Skills
ON1 RAW
Lightroom/Photoshop
iMovie
Topaz Studio 
​Microsoft Office 365
​InShot app

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Additional Training and Certifications

PADI OWSI
CPR/First Aid 
Small Boat Navigation
Outdoor Hiking Leadership with Washington Trails Association 
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Personal Skills
Interpersonal
Communication
Collaboration
Detail Oriented
Adaptability
Problem Solving
Public Speaking
Teamwork
Physically Fit

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References available upon request

Work Experience 

Photography 

Magazine, book, and calendar publications

• Contributor to Onaqui Wild Horse Catalogue Foundation
• Winter Bird Photography eBook (2021)
• Nature Photographer magazine (winter 18/19 & spring 2020
• Alpacas calendar (2020)
• Washington Trails Association magazine (Spring 2020)
• Poetry from Nature’s Wonders book (2017)
• Sierra Club's 8th Edition of Day Hikes in the Santa Fe Area (2016)
• New Mexico magazine (March 2010)
• Whale Tales book, volume 2 (2000)

Lead photography and citizen science tours and workshops 

• Sandhill Cranes Photography workshop (03/21)
• Wildlife of San Juan Island Photo Tour, WA (10/21)
• Birding in Belize (upcoming - Feb 2024)

Teaching classes

• Take Control of Your Camera (2/22)
• Globe Trotting Women (2/22)

Artisan shows and Gallery exhibits

• Larson Gallery Guild (March/April 2022)
• Hedge’s Winery (February 2020)
• Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center (March & April 2019)
• Tucannon Cellars (October 2018)
• Frichette Winery (November 2017)
• You and I Framing and Gallery (March 2016 & September 2017)
• Old Hotel Art Gallery (June 2016)
• Tour de Arts (October 2016, 2017, & 2018)

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​Grant writing
Nature and wildlife videos

North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) Ethics Committee and contributing author for upcoming Ethics website (11/19 – current) ​

Conservation and Research 

• Post fire fuel inventories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, NM 6/00 - 8/02
• Wildlife spotlight and telemetry surveys, Los Alamos National Laboratory, NM 6/00 - 8/02
• REEF fish surveys, Glover's Reef, Belize May 2001
• Sea Turtle nest monitoring, West Palm Beach, FL July 2001 
• Population and breeding data of Federally threatened and endangered species, Point Mugu, CA 5/96 - 2/98
  
• Wetland restoration planning and monitoring, Point Mugu, CA 5/96 - 2/98
• Organized blue shark tagging and research expedition, Long Beach, CA, 11/6/97
• Microscopic development analysis of marine invertebrates, ABC Lab, CA 5/95 - 12/95
• Bottlenose photo ID and boat operator, Monterey Bay Coastal Dolphin Project, CA 3/94 - 6/94
• Marine mammal rescue and medical care, Marine Mammal Center, CA 6/93 - 1/95
• Abalone development, reproduction, and reintroduction, Proteus SeaFarms, CA 6/90 - 9/92

Outdoor Education 

• Education Outreach Coordinator - educational events at public schools, designing and leading education videos, education grant under WDFW - Tapteal Greenway, WA (2018 - current) 
• Meadow Rover volunteer - Mt. Rainier National Park (summers 2017 and 2018)
• Instructor and board member - Pajarito Environmental Education Center, NM (2002 - 2006)
• Invertebrate touchpool education volunteer - Albuquerque Aquarium, NM (2000 - 2001)
• PADI SCUBA Instructor, Open water and advanced - Broadreach, NC (summer 1999) ​

Classroom

• Substitute educator - Kennewick School District, WA (2/20 - current)
• Children's college instructor - UNM Los Alamos campus (2004 - 2010)
  
• Biology Lab instructor - UNM Los Alamos campus (Fall 2007) 
  
• Substitute teacher and administration - Los Alamos Public Schools (1998 - 2000)
  
• Assistant preschool teacher - UCSC Childcare (Spring 1993)

Presentations 

• Birding Off the Beaten Path, Lower Columbia Basin Audubon Society, February 2022
• Thru-hiking the Tapteal Greenway, Tapteal Greenway Celebration, October 2019
• Orca behavior and kayaking, SWMEA conference, Albuquerque BioPark, February 2006
• D. McPherson, B. Masse and V. Kautchang.  2002. Unusual Predatory and Aggressive Behaviors Observed for Blacktip Reef Sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) and Jacks (Carangidae spp) in the Palau Islands, Micronesia.  Poster presentation at the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, Kansas City, Missouri.
• REEF fish surveys and diving Belize, Pacific Ocean Divers club meeting, 2001
• D. Reischel (maiden name) and D. Feinholz. 1994. Monterey Bay Coastal Dolphin Project. Presentation at the 1994 EarthWatch Institute Conference, Watertown, Massachusetts.