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HomeMy WebLinkAbout[EXTERNAL]Response to Qualifications for_ Contractors - All Trades and Services - Parks and Recreation Department, Gallatin Watershed Council, Due 8_27_2026 3_00 PMFrom:Jared Trilling To:Bozeman Procurement Cc:Holly Hill Subject:[EXTERNAL]Response to Qualifications for: Contractors - All Trades and Services - Parks and RecreationDepartment, Gallatin Watershed Council, Due 8/27/2026 3:00 PM Date:Thursday, August 27, 2026 12:37:57 PM Attachments:GWCBozemanParksContractorsRFQ_260827.pdf CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Good afternoon, Please find attached the Gallatin Watershed Council's proposal for "Contractors - All Trades and Services - Parks and Recreation Department" RFQ. Please reach out with any questions. Thanks, Jared Trilling, Project ManagerGallatin Watershed Council http://gallatinwatershedcouncil.org Cell: 406.218.1580 Statement of Qualifications CONTRACTORS – ALL TRADES AND SERVICES – PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT August 26, 2026 Prepared For: City of Bozeman Parks and Recreation Department PO Box 1230 Bozeman, MT 59771-1230 Prepared By: Jared Trilling - Project Manager Gallatin Watershed Council 406-218-1580 jared@gallatinwatershedcouncil.org 317 W Mendenhall St Bozeman, MT 59715 August 26, 2026 City of Bozeman PO Box 1230 Bozeman, MT 59771-1230 RE: Request for Qualifications - Contractors - All Trades and Services - Parks and Recreation Department Dear Members of the Selection Committee: We appreciate the opportunity to submit our qualifications for the City’s All Trades and Services Contract. Since our inception over 20 years ago, we have worked with the City of Bozeman on natural resource restoration and community education and outreach efforts, and we are excited to continue supporting the City in these areas and beyond under this contract. We are particularly attuned to the community’s evolving needs for greater access to natural areas and enhanced park amenities, as outlined in the City’s Parks, Recreation and Active Transportation (PRAT) Plan. As a local non-profit that works only within the Lower Gallatin Watershed, we are uniquely positioned to help the City meet these objectives by serving as a critical bridge between ecological planning and actionable, community-supported implementation. By blending our on-staff scientific expertise in natural resource restoration with our proven capacity to recruit and engage community members, we ensure that park improvements are not only ecologically resilient and sustainable but also responsive to the public’s vision for a healthier, more accessible watershed. Our proven approach is evident in our partnership with the City’s Parks and Recreation and Forestry Divisions. Through the Branch Out Bozeman (BOB) program, we've successfully increased Bozeman’s urban forest with hundreds of new trees, involving hundreds of local volunteers. This achievement is a direct result of our collaborative, community-focused model. Beyond our core restoration programming, GWC offers a diverse set of professional services to meet the City’s technical needs. These include precise wetland delineations, technical environmental consultation, grant writing, and community education. Across the board, our team provides the rigorous, science-backed support necessary to complement and expand the City’s internal capacity. We welcome the opportunity to discuss how our team can support your upcoming projects and help advance the City’s long-term conservation and recreation goals. Please feel free to contact us with any questions at jared@gallainwatershedcouncil.org or 406-218-1580. Sincerely, Jared Trilling Project Manager Holly Hill Executive Director Qualifications for Contractors – All Trades And Services – Parks And Recreation Department 1 Organization Background Founded in 2004, the Gallatin Watershed Council (GWC) is a Bozeman-based nonprofit organization dedicated to watershed stewardship in the Lower Gallatin Watershed. Over the past 20 years, GWC has grown from a volunteer-led organization into a team of eight full-time staff supported by an extensive network of community, agency, and conservation partners. GWC has established experience managing projects supported by federal, state, local, and private funding sources, with a strong record of responsible project and financial management. Our interdisciplinary staff structure allows us to provide responsive, specialized services while maintaining the flexibility of a small local organization. GWC’s strength lies in the combination of local knowledge, organizational stability, and a mission-driven commitment to watershed health. Because improving the health and resilience of the Lower Gallatin Watershed is central to our mission, we approach each project with a long-term interest in its success and the lasting ecological and community benefits it provides. Some of our core services are outlined below: Natural Resource Restoration and Landscaping GWC specializes in natural resource restoration in the Gallatin Valley through riparian enhancement, stream and wetland restoration, and establishing native plant communities. All of our work is rooted in science and our local knowledge of the watershed. Our on-staff ecologist guides our restoration projects, bringing specialized expertise in botany, plant ecology, stream and wetland restoration, and project management to every site. This technical knowledge helps us create practical, long-term restoration plans that enhance our ecosystem. Key areas of expertise include: ● Native Revegetation / Landscaping: Our ecologist brings extensive knowledge of the local flora, plant biology, and ecology to develop planting plans specific to each site. We consider plant placement based on site constraints such as soil type and hydrology, and social considerations like shade potential, climate resilience, and growth habit, to create self-sustaining native plant communities that also work within the built environment. ● Stream & Wetland Restoration: We manage and implement science-based restoration projects ranging from low-tech, volunteer-powered restoration to large projects that require contracted engineering solutions. ● Wetland Delineation: We conduct accurate wetland delineations under current regulatory guidance, ensuring project partners have the data needed for responsible, efficient project planning. ● Regulatory Navigation: We have significant experience in navigating environmental regulations, including the Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act of 1975 (310 permitting) and Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Understanding these regulatory requirements from project conception is crucial to delivering realistic projects on time and Qualifications for Contractors – All Trades And Services – Parks And Recreation Department 2 on budget. ● Environmental Assessment and Consultation: We can help the City assess a site's ecological potential for integration into new park designs or retrofits. Community Engagement & Outreach The Gallatin Watershed Council views community engagement as foundational to managing and enhancing the City's public spaces. We bridge the gap between technical natural resource management and meaningful public involvement, ensuring that City projects not only achieve their ecological goals but also resonate deeply with the residents they serve. Key areas of expertise include: ● Volunteer Engagement: Our full-time Community Engagement Manager gives us the capacity to host dozens of volunteer opportunities every year. These opportunities help residents build meaningful relationships within the community and complete hands-on work that improves our environment and community infrastructure. ● Education and Outreach: We excel at translating high-level scientific data, such as stream and wetland health indicators, water quality monitoring results, and the local ecological context, into engaging educational content. This helps community members understand the "why" behind conservation efforts and build a sense of connection to the land. Grant Writing We possess a proven track record of securing and managing diverse funding sources, including state, federal, and private grants, to leverage City investments and maximize project scope. Project Experience Branch Out Bozeman - Riparian Revegetation┃Bozeman, MT Client: Bozeman Parks and Recreation Department┃Addi Jaden┃406-582-2908 As part of our Branch Out Bozeman partnership with the City, GWC secured a $113,574 grant from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and a City of Bozeman Community Grant Program award of $43,761 to work with the Bozeman Parks and Recreation Department to establish native riparian plant communities along waterways and convert lawn/turf into native, water-tolerant plant communities in City parks. This project is working to cool stream temperatures, filter pollutants, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, and improve residents’ park experience. This ongoing project has already completed plantings in Loyal Qualifications for Contractors – All Trades And Services – Parks And Recreation Department 3 Gardens, Rose, Broken, and Brookside Parks and will complete projects in Cattail Park and the new Bikefill Park in 2027. Powered by volunteers, GWC has already included 148 volunteers in planting events. This project highlights how partnering with GWC can strengthen the City's capacity to improve parks while engaging the local community. Branch Out Bozeman - Urban Forest Network┃Bozeman, MT Client: Bozeman Forestry Division┃Alex Nordquest┃406-582-3225 Since 2021, GWC and the City of Bozeman Forestry Division have partnered to increase Bozeman’s tree canopy and to develop tools that guide the community to strategically plant trees in priority areas. Over the years, the program has expanded to include a tree voucher program, multiple community tree-planting days each year, development of a priority tree-planting map, and a program website. GWC plays a major role in amplifying the City’s capacity by recruiting volunteers, writing and managing grants to support the project, promoting project successes, and educating the public on the benefits of an urban forest. Under this program, a total of 501 trees and shrubs have been planted, powered by over 2,000 volunteer hours. Bozeman Fireshed Restoration Opportunities Report┃Bozeman, MT Client: Gallatin Watershed Community Members / US Forest Service GWC led the development of a report outlining restoration opportunities for the 7,905-acre Hyalite Cottonwood Hazardous Fuels Reduction Project, part of the US Forest Service's National Wildfire Crisis Strategy. Our ecologist, in partnership with Trout Unlimited and with funding from the Montana Watershed Coordination Council, conducted a comprehensive field inventory to identify restoration opportunities within the project area that maximize wildfire resilience while simultaneously improving aquatic and riparian health. We successfully identified and categorized 26 high-priority restoration features, ranging from instream floodplain connectivity enhancements to conifer encroachment mitigation. Qualifications for Contractors – All Trades And Services – Parks And Recreation Department 4 Bozeman Parks Wetland Delineations┃Bozeman, MT Bozeman Parks and Recreation Department┃Addi Jaden┃406-582-2908 GWC was contracted to perform professional wetland delineations for Greenway and Brookside Parks to support the planning and permitting of future park improvements. Utilizing US Army Corps of Engineers-compliant methodology, GWC’s ecologist conducted comprehensive on-site investigations, employing sub-meter GPS equipment to accurately map wetlands and waterways. The resulting reports provided the City with essential technical data, including wetland type, size, jurisdictional status, and HGM classification, alongside GIS data layers and photographic documentation. Spring Creek Farms Restoration┃Churchill, MT Client: Tim Venhuizen ┃406-579-6855 Spring Creek Farms, a family-run, primarily potato farm, partnered with GWC to conduct stream restoration and riparian enhancements on two streams on their property totaling about 2 miles. To complete the project, GWC secured a $411,594 grant from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and leveraged it with additional funds from the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). GWC serves as the overall project manager, coordinating between the landowner, NRCS, DEQ, and contractors, and also providing technical guidance by completing the wetland delineation, developing planting plans, and coordinating materials procurement. Additionally, GWC-recruited volunteers have powered much of the work, planting 185 trees and shrubs, 3,700 willow stakes, and 20 beaver mimicry structures so far. Gallatin Water Collaborative┃Bozeman, MT Client: Gallatin Watershed Community Members The Gallatin Water Collaborative serves as the primary forum for collaborative watershed stewardship in the Gallatin Valley. Founded and administered by GWC since 2020 and supported by federal grant dollars totaling $300,000, this multi-stakeholder initiative is dedicated to long-term Qualifications for Contractors – All Trades And Services – Parks And Recreation Department 5 water quality, water availability, and landscape resilience across the Lower Gallatin Watershed. By integrating scientific assessment with community-driven planning, GWC maintains a highly effective network of over 100 professionals representing more than 40 diverse entities, including conservation non-profits, agricultural producers, developers, and local, state, and federal agencies. Through a structured system of monthly technical meetings, targeted working groups, and public spaces like the Gallatin Water Symposium, the Collaborative builds collective watershed intelligence, drives consensus-based solutions among diverse stakeholders, and translates complex ecological data into transparent, on-the-ground action, ensuring that restoration efforts are maximized and not duplicated. River R.A.T.s┃Bozeman, MT Client: Gallatin Watershed Community Members The River Restoration Team (R.A.T.s) is GWC’s dedicated natural resource restoration volunteer program. River R.A.T. members receive annual training in restoration techniques such as harvesting and planting willow stakes, planting containerized plants, building beaver mimicry structures, and site maintenance, and commit to participating in 4 volunteer events throughout the year. This dedicated, trained team allows GWC to use volunteers efficiently to do real, measurable work on the ground while reducing project costs and fostering strong local stewardship and engagement in the long-term health of our watershed. Since the program began two years ago, 115 people have participated and have completed over 800 hours of work. Qualifications for Contractors – All Trades And Services – Parks And Recreation Department 6 Lower Gallatin Watershed Restoration Plan┃Bozeman, MT Client: Gallatin Watershed Community Members GWC led the development of the Lower Gallatin Watershed Restoration Plan (WRP) to serve as a science-based blueprint for addressing water quality impairments across the watershed. This document serves as the foundational guide for restoration efforts in the watershed, prioritizing high-impact stream and wetland projects that align with both community values and ecological needs. Many stakeholders have used the WRP to unlock funding for critical improvements across the watershed, including stream restoration, riparian revegetation, and floodplain reconnection. Riparian Walks┃Bozeman, MT Client: Gallatin Watershed Community Members The Riparian Walks program is an educational tour series that fosters community engagement, ecological curiosity, and watershed stewardship. Launched in 2025, this series offers guided walks at various public streamsides, wetlands, and active restoration sites throughout the Gallatin Watershed. Led by GWC staff and collaborative partners, including the Sacagawea Audubon Society, Buffalo Nations, and the City of Bozeman Stormwater Division, the walks translate ecological and cultural concepts into accessible, place-based learning. Topics cover riparian ecology, water quality, traditional ecological knowledge, restoration techniques, and land-use history. The program has successfully engaged over 100 participants annually, providing a unique platform for connecting residents to their local watershed and fostering sustainable stewardship behaviors. Project Team Our project team brings together a diverse group of professionals with deep experience in restoration ecology, community engagement, and watershed planning. Together, we offer the technical expertise and local knowledge necessary to support the City of Bozeman’s parks and recreation initiatives effectively. Jared Trilling ┃ Project Manager / Ecologist With 10 years of experience as a Project Manager and Ecologist, Jared will serve as the City’s primary contact. He uses his traditional technical natural resource training in restoration ecology, Qualifications for Contractors – All Trades And Services – Parks And Recreation Department 7 monitoring, wetland science, and plant ecology to identify unique solutions that can often be implemented in a community-oriented manner. In this way, he delivers scientifically sound projects that are also budget-friendly and engaging to the community. Lilly McLane ┃ Sr. Watershed Planner / Program Director With a strong technical background in natural resources and business management, Lilly brings more than a decade of experience leading watershed projects from on-the-ground restoration to watershed-scale collaborative planning. During her ten years at the Gallatin Watershed Council, she has helped grow the organization from an entirely volunteer board to a team of eight full-time staff. She believes lasting solutions to natural resource challenges are fundamentally human and brings a collaborative, community-centered approach to engaging partners, volunteers, and landowners. Sarah Washco┃Community Engagement and Outreach As Community Engagement Manager, Sarah has worked to increase the Gallatin Watershed Council’s impact on watershed health by building strong community relationships, managing volunteer opportunities, and elevating public understanding of and care for water resources. Sarah values collaboration and partnership and uses her background in STEM and art to facilitate understanding and creative problem-solving. Ben Buscher ┃ Administrative Support / Community Education Ben’s background in the natural sciences and environmental education has equipped him with the adaptability to develop, support, and deliver community outreach and natural resource restoration in a variety of settings. He has worked as a volunteer coordinator and environmental educator for the Kaua’i National Wildlife Refuge Complex, as a Naturalist Guide in Yellowstone National Park, and has spent the last three years supporting all of the Gallatin Watershed Council’s programming both administratively and in the field. Claims and Liquidated Damages Disclosure The Gallatin Watershed Council has not been assessed or paid liquidated damages in connection with any project under a contract within the last ten years. Workload The Gallatin Watershed Council has the capacity and technical expertise to fulfill the project requirements outlined in this RFQ. We are prepared to serve the City when and where we are needed. While we manage concurrent restoration and community programs, the City of Bozeman remains a top priority. Our enduring partnership with the City, combined with our mission-aligned work, Qualifications for Contractors – All Trades And Services – Parks And Recreation Department 8 underscores our strong commitment to the success of local parks and recreation projcets. We are committed to providing the Parks and Recreation Department with responsive, high-quality service while strictly adhering to project schedules, budgets, and the focus they deserve. Capabilities to Meet Time and Budget We view budget and schedule adherence as a core component of project success. Our capacity to deliver on time and within budget is built on: ● Proactive Project Management: Our Project Manager, Jared Trilling, actively monitors project schedules, expenditure rates, and key milestones to catch potential obstacles early and keep work progressing smoothly. ● Proven Financial Rigor: GWC has extensive experience managing federal, state, and local grants from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, and the US Bureau of Reclamation, as well as private grantors. This requires precise accounting, transparent reporting, and strict adherence to budget constraints. Because of our financial responsibility and transparency, GWC has earned a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid. ● Responsive Scheduling: We operate as a dedicated, full-time team of eight. Our internal structure lets us scale resources efficiently to meet City needs without the administrative delays References Qualifications for Contractors – All Trades And Services – Parks And Recreation Department 9 Reference Projects Tori Harladson - Water Quality Specialist MT Department of Environmental Quality torie.haraldson@mt.gov - 406-556-4511 Branch Out Bozeman 319 Gallatin Water Collaborative River Restoration Action Team Lower Gallatin Watershed Restoration Plan Addi Jaden - City of Bozeman Park Planning and Development Manager ajadin@bozeman.net - 406-582-2908 Branch Out Bozeman 319 Alex Nordquest - City of Bozeman Forestry Division Manager Alex.Nordquest@bozemanmt.gov - 406-582-3225 Branch out Bozeman Urban Forestry Network Tim Venhuizen - Spring Creek Farms 406-579-6855 office@plantthebest.com Spring Creek Farms Restoration Connor Parrish - Trout Unlimited Project Manager connor.parrish@tu.org - 406-223-9331 River Restoration Action Team Gallatin Water Collaborative Lower Gallatin Watershed Restoration Plan Appendix A: Nondiscrimination and Equal Pay Affirmation Appendix A NONDISCRIMINATION AND EQUAL PAY AFFIRMATION ____________________________________(name of entity submitting) hereby affirms it will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, or because of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or disability and acknowledges and understands the eventual contract will contain a provision prohibiting discrimination as described above and this prohibition on discrimination shall apply to the hiring and treatments or proposer’s employees and to all subcontracts. In addition, ____________________________________(name of entity submitting) hereby affirms it will abide by the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and Section 39-3-104, MCA (the Montana Equal Pay Act). ______________________________________ [Name and title of person authorized to sign on behalf of Respondent] Gallatin Watershed Council Gallatin Watershed Council Holly Hill, Executive Director Appendix B: Resumes Jared Trilling Project Manager / Ecologist Education B.S. Resource Conservation University of Montana, 2010 M.S. Restoration Ecology Montana Tech, 2018 Professional Training Wetland Training Institute Wetland Delineation UAV Remote Pilot License UC Berkley Geomorphic & Ecological Fundamentals of River & Stream Restoration BLM Assessment Inventory and Monitoring (AIM) protocol Civic Affiliations MT Wetlands and Waterfowl - Vice President MT Native Plant Society - Member Professional Summary Jared combines an extensive technical background in wetland science, environmental permitting and monitoring, and botany with disciplined project management skills to bring complex projects from concept to implementation. He is especially enthusiastic about restoring native vegetation habitats that work within a site's current ecological reality. Project Experience Branch Out Bozeman - Riparian Revegetation Client: City of Bozeman | Role: Project Manager Jared led grant administration, financial tracking, and partnership coordination for this DEQ-funded project to implement site-specific restoration plans. He oversaw all phases of project execution, including native plant procurement, installation, and community volunteer management. he actively worked with City staff to incorporate the project into existing initiatives and maintenance needs. Spring Creek Farms Restoration Client: Tim Venhuizen | Role: Project Manager Jared led grant administration, contractor procurement, and partnership coordination for this DEQ and NRCS-funded project to implement stream restoration on 2 streams. He oversaw all phases of project execution, including permitting, installation of post-assisted log structures, native riparian revegetation, and management of MCC crews and community volunteers. He actively coordinated with project partners, including NRCS and landowners, to design and execute sustainable restoration and land management strategies. Wetland Mitigation Monitoring* Client: MT Department of Transportation | Role: Wetland Scientist Jared supervised 4 MDT wetland mitigation banks' compliance monitoring by conducting wetland delineations in accordance with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regulations. He managed the collection and analysis of wetland boundaries, vegetation, hydrologic, and soil data to assess long-term mitigation performance and delivered detailed monitoring reports to the client. Sand Creek Revegetation* Client: Federal Highway Administration* | Role: Wetland Scientist Jared managed the revegetation of 6 bridge replacements, including creating a planting plan, procuring materials, and developing strategies for planting on steep slopes. *Experience gained prior to joining GWC Lilly McLane Watershed Restoration Director Education M.S. Bioresources Engineering Montana State University, 2016 B.S. Bioresources Engineering Montana State University, 2010 Awards Thankful For Award City of Bozeman Commission, 2025 Montana Watershed Stewardship Award Montana Watershed Coordination Council, 2025 Professional Summary With a strong technical background in natural resources and business management, Lilly brings more than a decade of experience leading watershed projects from on-the-ground restoration to watershed-scale collaborative planning. During her ten years at the Gallatin Watershed Council, she has helped grow the organization from an entirely volunteer board to a team of eight full-time staff. She believes lasting solutions to natural resource challenges are fundamentally human and brings a collaborative, community-centered approach to engaging partners, volunteers, and landowners. Project Experience Gallatin Water Collaborative Client: Residents of the Gallatin Watershed | Co-founder, Program Director Coordinate a multi-stakeholder watershed initiative addressing shared water challenges in the Lower Gallatin Watershed. Supported the Collaborative’s growth from initial planning to sustained coordination and implementation, including securing more than $400,000 in grant funding over six years. Coordinate a team of staff and a contracted facilitator to deliver field trips, monthly workshops, and annual meetings, while facilitating stakeholder working groups focused on priority projects such as watershed-scale watercourse mapping and the Gallatin Water Science Symposium. Maintain ongoing communication and engagement through a website, stakeholder calendar, and listserv. Branch Out Bozeman Client: Bozeman Forestry Division, Residents of Bozeman | Co-founder, Program Director Co-founded and currently direct a collaborative urban forestry program between the Gallatin Watershed Council and City of Bozeman. Lead program vision and strategy to improve water quality, reduce urban heat, and expand equitable access to trees, leveraging a range of funding, community partners, and volunteers. Work closely with GWC and municipal staff to deliver volunteer tree planting, riparian restoration, tree voucher, and education programs. Streamside Landscapes Guide Client: Residents of the Gallatin Watershed | Project Manager Led the development of Streamside Landscapes, a practical guide for restoring and managing riparian landscapes in the Gallatin Watershed. Managed collaboration among Gallatin Watershed Council, Trout Unlimited, Montana State University Landscape Design, and MSU Extension to translate riparian ecology and restoration practices into accessible, DIY guidance for landowners and community members, covering site planning, planting, long-term care, and streamside best management practices. Sarah Washko Community Engagement Manager Education M.S. Civil Engineering Michigan Technological University, 2019 B.S. Geoscience University of Montana, 2014 Awards CEE Outstanding Teaching Award, Michigan Technological Civil and Environmental Engineering Departmental Honor, 2019 Professional Summary As a Community Engagement Manager, Sarah has worked hard to increase the Gallatin Watershed Council’s impact to improve watershed health by building strong relationships in the community, managing volunteer opportunities, and elevating public understanding and care for water resources. Sarah values collaboration and partnership and uses her background in STEM and art to facilitate understanding and creative problem solving. Project Experience River Restoration Action Team Client: Gallatin Watershed Council | Role: Community Engagement Manager Recruited and assisted in training volunteers for the River Restoration Action Team (R.A.Ts). Collaborated with the Restoration Program Manager to host and plan riparian planting events. Ensured volunteers felt appreciated and invested in local restoration work. Maintained communications, records, and safety protocols for the volunteer program. Branch Out Bozeman Tree Vouchers Client: City of Bozeman | Role: Community Engagement Manager Developed and updated branded promotional materials to educate and attract community members to participate in the tree voucher program. Created a variety of marketing campaigns to reach the target audience. Updated website and participant tracking to coincide with managed marketing campaigns. Tabled at Cashman Nursery and Farmers Market to engage public participation in the program and foster enthusiasm for expanding Bozeman’s urban canopy. Branch Out Bozeman Volunteer Program Client: City of Bozeman | Role: Community Engagement Manager Coordinated and co-hosted planting events with the City of Bozeman Forestry Division. Recruited and engaged volunteers utilizing volunteer management software, targeting marketing campaigns and social and web presence. Organized program storytelling efforts through newsletter, web, and social media. Repair Faire* Client: Studio Wheelhouse | Role: Event Organizer and Business Owner Organized and hosted a novel event where community members bring in clothing and items for live repair and repair education. Recruited and coordinated a diverse group of repair professionals and businesses for on-site repair day-of and as teachers for educational demonstrations. Created promotional material and marketing campaigns to engage the public to participate. Engaged local businesses to sponsor the event and share commitment to sustainability. Highlighted program achievements through photos, video, and written summaries. *Experience gained prior to joining GWC Benjamin Buescher Operations Coordinator Education B.S. Wildlife Biology Colorado State University, 2019 Awards Wildlife Fund Grant Award, Montana Audubon Society, 2026 Water Quality Education and Outreach Mini-Grant Award, Montana Association of Conservation Districts, 2025 C.H.O.S.E.N. Award, Kupu AmeriCorps, 2020 Professional Summary Ben’s background in the natural sciences and environmental education has equipped him to develop, support, and deliver community outreach and natural resource restoration in a variety of settings. He has worked as a volunteer coordinator and environmental educator for the Kaua’i National Wildlife Refuge Complex, as a Naturalist Guide in Yellowstone National Park, and for the past three years has supported the Gallatin Watershed Council’s programming both administratively and in the field. Project Experience Riparian Walk Educational Series Client: Gallatin Watershed Residents, Montana Association of Conservation Districts, Montana Audubon Society | Role: Program Manager Coordinate monthly walks designed to cultivate a respect for and understanding of the natural value of rivers, floodplains, and riparian areas. Across 12 events at 10 different locations, Ben has engaged over 130 participants and partnered with the Sacajawea Audubon Society; Montana Trout Unlimited; Buffalo Nations; Montana Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiative; Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks; Bozeman Forestry; and Bozeman Stormwater. Gallatin Water Collaborative Client: Residents of the Gallatin Watershed | Role: Administration & Project Support Provide administrative support for the Gallatin Watershed Collaborative through maintaining stakeholder contact lists, taking notes and recordings of meetings, sharing meeting resources with Collaborative stakeholders and on our websites, managing public calendars and invites, and providing technical support at Collaborative events. Native Plant Nursery Inventory and Volunteer Coordination Client: Kaua’i National Wildlife Refuge Complex | Role: Project Lead Created an inventory management system, managed plant orders, maintained watering, maintenance, and propagation schedules, and coordinated volunteer planting events for the Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge native plant nursery. Refuge Interpretive Signage Revamp Client: Kaua’i National Wildlife Refuge Complex | Role: Project Lead Led the development and design of a series of new interpretive signs for the Hanalei and Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuges. The signs covered topics including trail histories, wetland management, and native habitats and wildlife. Ben gathered information, took photos, conducted interviews, and oversaw sign development through multiple rounds of edits.