The Conservation Report

BUCK DENTON

Lansing, MI | buckdenton@gmail.com

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EDUCATION

THOMAS M. COOLEY LAW SCHOOL, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Juris Doctor, expected May 2010
- Moot Court Board, Bailiff Committee Member, Trainer
- Cooley Volunteer Corps
- Grand Rapids Rowing Association
- International Law Society Member
- Dean’s List: Trinity Term 2008

UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA, Norwich, England
Masters of Science, Environment and Development, January 2004
- Crew Club, Oarsman

BARTON COLLEGE, Wilson, North Carolina
Bachelor of Arts, History, 2002
- President, International Club
- Study Abroad: University of East Anglia, Norwich, England, September 1995 - May 1996

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CLEAN WATER ACTION, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2008
Legal Researcher
- Researched water quality issues, remedies, and funding opportunities for local communities.
- Gained public support for clean water and renewable energy policies through canvassing and petitioning.

INTEGRATED STATISTICS, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, 2005 - 2007
Training Biologist
- Training lead responsible for educating fisheries observers in catch estimation and data collection in the pot and trap, purse seine and trawl fisheries for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Secondary lead for the gillnet and scallop fisheries.
- Coordinated, evaluated, organized, prepared logistics, and training materials for trainees.
- Counseled, led, mentored, and motivated trainees.
- Analyzed and researched programmatic issues to recommend new and modified work methods and protocols.
- Improved data collection and program effectiveness by synthesizing and updating catch estimation protocols for estimating bycatch onboard fishing vessels.

ACCURACY INTEGRITY SERVICES, INCORPORATED, New Bedford, Massachusetts, 2004 - 2005
Fisheries Observer
- Contracted to NOAA to collect data onboard fishing vessels.
- Gathered, managed and analyzed data on fishing effort and of the kept and discarded catch onboard fishing vessels.
- Biological sampling methods include taking length measurements and age structures from fish as well as obtaining biometrics, genetic and tissue samples from marine mammals, sea turtles and birds incidentally caught in fishing gear.
- Completed National Marine Fisheries Service training and qualifications in addition to a fishing vessel safety and coldwater survival-training course.

VENTOSA PLANTATION, Norfleet, North Carolina, 2004
Conservation Strategist
- Surveyed agriculture, forestlands and riparian buffer zones to develop a comprehensive conservation security plan. Provided recommendations to further develop conservation initiatives.
- Researched and studied proposed government policy, the Conservation Security Program (CSP), to produce a portfolio as recommended by the CSP of client’s conservation initiatives to illustrate qualifications for receiving monetary incentives from integrating conservation into land management practices.

TANDROY CONSERVATION TRUST, Fort Dauphin, Madagascar, 2002 - 2004
Team Leader
- Directed a scientific expedition to conduct ecological and social research in a remote arid region of Madagascar.
- Developed a risk assessment plan based on previous Madagascar experience.
- Published research from the expedition in a peer reviewed journal.
- Invited to, attended and presented the expedition’s research and publication at an international symposium on Madagascar in the United Kingdom.

LANDSCAPE DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTIONS (LDI), Beforona, Madagascar, 2000 - 2002
Agroforestry Extension Agent
- Selected to work with LDI during Peace Corps.
- Instructed and managed farmers at an intensive agriculture center.
- Developed an aquaculture program that improved fish production.
- Supervised a radio station at the intensive agriculture center and managed a three person team.
- Developed integrated agriculture/environment/health radio programs targeting rural farmers to raise both environmental and health awareness.

UNITED STATES PEACE CORPS, Beforona, Madagascar, 2000 - 2002
Environmental Volunteer
- Completed an intense US Peace Corps training.
- Selected to be an Assistant Peace Corps Trainer.
- Implemented erosion control project to stabilize village property.
- Initiated successful animal husbandry projects to promote nutrition and improve village income.
- Wrote for and secured government grants for the completion of projects.
- Nominated during training to give a televised speech in French at a swearing in ceremony for Peace Corps trainees at the US Ambassador’s residence in Antananarivo, Madagascar.

PUBLICATIONS

Scott, D. M., Daniel Brown, Simon Mahood, Buck Denton, Anastasia Silburn and Felix Rakotondraparany. The impacts of forest clearance on lizard, small mammal and bird communities in the arid spiny forest, southern Madagascar. Biological Conservation 127 (January 2006): 72-87.

AWARDS

- The Royal Geographic Society with the Institute for British Geographers “Researching the World 2003” Award
- University of East Anglia Travel & Expedition Society Award
- Rio Tinto p/c Award
- Gilchrist Educational Trust Award
- Adrian Ashby-Smith Memorial Fund Award
- Albert Reckitt Charitable Trust Award
- Lindeth Charitable Trust Award