Shannon Noelle Rivera

Wildlife Host · Environmental Consultant · Researcher
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Current Work Associations


Kaulunani Urban & Community
Forestry Program
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Consultant, Community Partnership Coordinator 
2016-Present


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.

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2018 Kaulunani Advisory Council and Staff
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Smart Trees Pacific 501 (C)(3)
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Project Consultant 
2016-Present


​Projects with:
  • ​Territory of Guam Urban Forestry Program
  • Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program
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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.

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United States Forest Service
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 Consultant 
2020-Present

Collaborations with:
  • ​Los Angeles Urban Research Center
  • Smart Trees Pacific

​​​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
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 Consultant 
2019-Present
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*Contracts past March 2020, postponed due to COVID-19

Contacts with:
  • Celebrity Cruise Line
  • Carnival Cruise Line

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 Associations


Society for Conservation Biology
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Society for Conservation Biology Oceania (SCBO)

Member of the Board of Directors, 2017-Present
www.SCBOceania.org
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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.

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2017 SCBO Board of Directors

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​CoFounder & Board Member |  2016-Present
​Society for Conservation Biology, Hawaiʻi Chapter (HISCB)

www.HISCB.org
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Co-Founder and first president for the statewide Hawaiʻi Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology.

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2019 HISCB General Business Meeting, Waiwai Collective
​Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance Foundation
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 Nāhululeihiwakuipapa Next Generation Committee  2016-Present

www.HawaiiConservation.org
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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


Youth for Wildlife Conservation (Y4WC) ​
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 CITES CoP18 Delegate 
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 2019
www.YouthforWildlife.org
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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.

 

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2019 Y4WC Delegation, CITES CoP18
International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
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Global Gender Office Intern
2016


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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. ​

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2018 World Conservation Congress, IUCB Global Gender Office Staff and Interns
Ocean Legends Dive Center
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Program Coordinator
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2014-2016

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I coordinated ecotourism activities with a nationally recognized dive center focused on sustainable tourism practices and marine conservation. I was also t​rained 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 Experience
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Research Fellow, 2018
Society for Conservation Biology’s Graduate Student Research Fellowship
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  • 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.

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Research Consultant, 2017-present
Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program; Smart Trees Pacific
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  • 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.

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Researcher, 2016-2017
Hawaiʻi Wildlife Ecology Lab, UH Manoa, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management

Lab Website
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  • 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.

Current Research

Volunteer Experience

Volunteer Experience
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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.

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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.

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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.

Please contact for Full CV
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"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught." -Baba Dioum
Shannon Noelle Rivera
© COPYRIGHT 2021 |  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
  Shannon N. Rivera
  • Home
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