Shannon Noelle Rivera
Wildlife Host · Environmental Consultant · Researcher
Current Work Associations
Consultant, Community Partnership Coordinator | 2016-Present
Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program
DLNR; Division of Forestry and Wildlife
Since 2016 I have worked to deliver of the state of Hawaii’s urban and community forestry program’s strategic plan in collaboration with Federal, State, City, and community partners. I have served as program coordinator providing expertise in program management, communications, data collection, environmental research, partnership coordination, policy review, grant program management, and graphic design.
Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program
DLNR; Division of Forestry and Wildlife
Since 2016 I have worked to deliver of the state of Hawaii’s urban and community forestry program’s strategic plan in collaboration with Federal, State, City, and community partners. I have served as program coordinator providing expertise in program management, communications, data collection, environmental research, partnership coordination, policy review, grant program management, and graphic design.
Project Consultant | 2016-Present
Smart Trees Pacific Nonprofit Organization; Territory of Guam Urban Forestry Program
As a project consultant with the urban forestry nonprofit, I have focused on improving the health and viability of trees in Hawai‘i communities and throughout the Pacific region. I have predominately worked on partnership development, project management, communications & marketing, and grant writing.
Smart Trees Pacific Nonprofit Organization; Territory of Guam Urban Forestry Program
As a project consultant with the urban forestry nonprofit, I have focused on improving the health and viability of trees in Hawai‘i communities and throughout the Pacific region. I have predominately worked on partnership development, project management, communications & marketing, and grant writing.
Consultant, Science Communicator, Naturalist | 2019-Present
Celebrity Cruise Lines; Carnival Cruise Lines; IEB Ltd
I have served as a contracted naturalist and wildlife host providing oral presentations, television broadcasts, and informal workshops to as many as 3,500 people discussing flora and fauna, conservation, natural history and responsible ecotourism practices management within Oceania, North America, and Latin America.
Celebrity Cruise Lines; Carnival Cruise Lines; IEB Ltd
I have served as a contracted naturalist and wildlife host providing oral presentations, television broadcasts, and informal workshops to as many as 3,500 people discussing flora and fauna, conservation, natural history and responsible ecotourism practices management within Oceania, North America, and Latin America.
Board of Director Associations
Board of Directors | 2017-Present
Society for Conservation Biology Oceania (SCBO)
www.SCBOceania.org
I am currently serving a third term as a voting member of SCBO Board supporting conservation work in Australia, New Zealand, Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia. As part of my role,I am an active member of the SCBO policy committee, and global chapters committee liaising with all seven global regions. I have led the planning of our organization's international congress after securing a bid to host the biennial Oceania Congress for Conservation Biology (OCCB) in Hawaiʻi.
Society for Conservation Biology Oceania (SCBO)
www.SCBOceania.org
I am currently serving a third term as a voting member of SCBO Board supporting conservation work in Australia, New Zealand, Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia. As part of my role,I am an active member of the SCBO policy committee, and global chapters committee liaising with all seven global regions. I have led the planning of our organization's international congress after securing a bid to host the biennial Oceania Congress for Conservation Biology (OCCB) in Hawaiʻi.
Founder & Board Member | 2016-Present
Society for Conservation Biology, Hawaiʻi Chapter (HISCB)
www.HISCB.org
Founder and first president for the statewide Hawaiʻi Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology.
Society for Conservation Biology, Hawaiʻi Chapter (HISCB)
www.HISCB.org
Founder and first president for the statewide Hawaiʻi Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology.
Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Next Generation Committee Member | 2016-Present
Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance Foundation
www.HawaiiConservation.org
As a committee member, I help support the professional development of the next generation of conservation leaders in Hawaiʻi through the leadership of Hawai'i Conservation Alliance.
Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance Foundation
www.HawaiiConservation.org
As a committee member, I help support the professional development of the next generation of conservation leaders in Hawaiʻi through the leadership of Hawai'i Conservation Alliance.
Previous Associations
CITES CoP18 Delegate | 2019
Youth for Wildlife Conservation (Y4WC)
www.YouthforWildlife.org
One of seven global youth delegates chosen from over 2,000 applicants tasked with participating in the 2019 Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES) Conference of Parties (CoP18) in Geneva, Switzerland from 16Aug-25Aug 2019.
Youth for Wildlife Conservation (Y4WC)
www.YouthforWildlife.org
One of seven global youth delegates chosen from over 2,000 applicants tasked with participating in the 2019 Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES) Conference of Parties (CoP18) in Geneva, Switzerland from 16Aug-25Aug 2019.
Global Gender Office Intern | 2016
International Union for the Conservation of Nature
I participated in and evaluated gender related events for the 2016 World Conservation Congress where I was trained to assess and critique conservation research and management approaches for gender responsiveness.
International Union for the Conservation of Nature
I participated in and evaluated gender related events for the 2016 World Conservation Congress where I was trained to assess and critique conservation research and management approaches for gender responsiveness.
Program Coordinator | 2014-2016
Ocean Legends Dive Center
I coordinated ecotourism activities with a nationally recognized dive center focused on sustainable tourism practices and marine conservation. I was also trained in operation of underwater Depth Proportion Vehicles (DPV), free diving, open water rescue procedures, and tactical skills related to working on a small crew catamaran.
Ocean Legends Dive Center
I coordinated ecotourism activities with a nationally recognized dive center focused on sustainable tourism practices and marine conservation. I was also trained in operation of underwater Depth Proportion Vehicles (DPV), free diving, open water rescue procedures, and tactical skills related to working on a small crew catamaran.
Research Experience
Research Fellow | 2018
Society for Conservation Biology’s Graduate Student Research Fellowship
University of Winchester, Department of Politics and Society, Animal Welfare Science, Ethics, and Law
Society for Conservation Biology’s Graduate Student Research Fellowship
University of Winchester, Department of Politics and Society, Animal Welfare Science, Ethics, and Law
- Led an individual research project focused on illegal wildlife trade issues; qualitatively analyzed disposal methods of live animal confiscations in Southeast Asia.
- One of ten global recipients for the annual SCB Graduate Student research fellowship award.
- The IRB-approved Masters research project examined illegal wildlife trade issues using qualitative and quantitative methods.
- With this research, I received a Master of Science with Distinction and placed as a research finalist at the 2019 International Congress for Conservation Biology.
Research Consultant | 2017-present
Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program; Smart Trees Pacific
Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program; Smart Trees Pacific
- Collaborated on project using high-resolution aerial imagery and LiDAR to assess tree canopy change during a specific time interval.
- Led effort to systematically inventory +11,000 city trees in Oʻahu’s urban areas.
- Employed a web-based geospatial tree inventory software application designed for inventorying and managing trees using GIS and web cloud-hosting technologies.
- Assisted in effort to systematically assess stewardship activities for 2 districts of Oʻahu using wide scale survey techniques. STEW-Map Project supported by USDA Forest Service; Region 5.
Researcher | 2016-2017
Hawaiʻi Wildlife Ecology Lab, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management
Lab Website
Hawaiʻi Wildlife Ecology Lab, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management
Lab Website
- First student researcher of the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Ecology Lab under the direction of Dr. Melissa R. Price.
- Conducted research qualitatively examining the perceived and existing barriers to the use of Assisted Colonization.
Volunteer Experience
La Isla de los Monos
Iquitos, Peru Previous volunteer for La Isla de los Monos. With a partner, established 501©(3) status for the primate rescue center located in the Peruvian Amazon. Designed and published a website for the nonprofit and developed an international volunteer program which is successfully running today. |
Mostly Monkeys 501c3
Ramona, CA Previous volunteer for Mostly Monkeys sanctuary. This sanctuary provides high quality, long term care for a variety of exotic animals species including New and Old World monkeys, North American carnivores, and a variety of reptiles and birds. Part of the sanctuary's goals is to promote public awareness of animal welfare and wildlife trafficking. |
Ocean Discovery Institute
San Diego, CA Previous volunteer for Ocean Discovery Institute. The educational non-profit uses ocean science to empower young people from underserved urban communities to transform their lives, their community, and our world as scientific and conservation leaders. |