Shannon Noelle Rivera
Environmental Consultant · Researcher
Current Work
United Nations, office on drugs and crime (UNODC)
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Wildlife Crime Research Intern
2021-Present Tasked with conducting research work for the UNODC World Wildlife Crime Report under the direction of Wildlife Crime Research Officer, Dr. Julie Viollaz. Learn more. |
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Kaulunani Urban & Community
Forestry Program
2018 Kaulunani Advisory Council and Staff
Smart Trees Pacific 501 (C)(3)
Project Consultant
2016-Present Projects with:
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. 
United States Forest Service
Consultant
2020-Present Collaborations with:
Contracted as a marketing and communications consultant to develop outreach strategies and online publications for the Los Angeles Center for Urban Natural Resources Sustainability, also known as the Los Angeles Urban Research Center. The Los Angeles Center for Urban Natural Resources Sustainability operates through a partnership among the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region and Research Station, and the City of Los Angeles. Freelance naturalist & Lecturer
Consultant
2019-Present *Contracts past March 2020, postponed due to COVID-19 Contacts with:
Served as an onboard biologist with international cruise lines producing lecture materials and conducting oral presentations, television broadcasts, and informal workshops to as many as 3,500 people. Topics include flora, fauna, conservation, wildlife trade, responsible tourism, and natural history of various destinations. As a certified marine mammal observer, I led wildlife watches on deck, in the field, and over the bridge system sharing expertise on wildlife while addressing guest questions to create optimum wildlife experience. Contracts carried out in Hawaiʻi, California, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru, Chile. 
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Board of Director / Committee Roles
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Society for Conservation Biology
Society for Conservation Biology Oceania (SCBO)
Member of the Board of Directors, 2017-Present 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. 
2017 SCBO Board of Directors
CoFounder & Board Member | 2016-Present
Society for Conservation Biology, Hawaiʻi Chapter (HISCB) www.HISCB.org Co-Founder and first president for the statewide Hawaiʻi Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology. 
2019 HISCB General Business Meeting, Waiwai Collective
Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance Foundation
Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Next Generation Committee 2016-Present
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 Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance. 2020 Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference Planning Committee 2018-2020 
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Previous Associations
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Youth for Wildlife Conservation (Y4WC)
CITES CoP18 Delegate
2019 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. 
2019 Y4WC Delegation, CITES CoP18
International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Global Gender Office Intern
2016 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. 
2018 World Conservation Congress, IUCB Global Gender Office Staff and Interns
Ocean Legends Dive Center
Program Coordinator
2014-2016 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. |
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Research Experience
Research Experience
Wildlife Crime Research Intern, 2021-Present
United Nations, Office on Drugs and Crime; Crime Research Unit
Researcher, 2016-2017
Hawaiʻi Wildlife Ecology Lab, UH Manoa, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management Lab Website
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Research Fellow, 2018
Society for Conservation Biology’s Graduate Student Research Fellowship
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Research Consultant, 2017-present
Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program; Smart Trees Pacific
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Volunteer Experience
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. |