Biography

Lisa Riley is a certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner and technical writer experienced in the design and management of large-scale revegetation projects across complex landscapes. Especially adept at translating complicated objectives into attainable outcomes, she specializes in restoration planning, native plant establishment, seed and plant material collection, riparian revegetation, and ecological monitoring. For the last 26 years, Lisa has worked extensively in the fields of timber management, ecological assessment, reclamation of degraded lands, science-based reforestation, and wildlife habitat restoration. Well-versed in permit compliance and review processes related to timber, construction, and habitat enhancement projects, Lisa navigates easily between public and private stakeholders. Contributing to pioneering efforts in sustainability, she has also helped shape the assessment of vegetation establishment on newly-constructed wind farms, assess performance standards of wetland mitigation sites, and determine cornerstone limiting factors to secondary forest succession in the tropics.

  • April, 2022 – Present

    Restoration Ecologist • Consultant • Technical Writer

    As sole proprietor of Riley Consulting, Lisa provides technical expertise and targeted services to support ecological restoration. Services include preparation of bid proposals and planning documents, on-site project consultation and oversight, assessment of noxious weeds and other restoration challenges, and development of long-term monitoring and maintenance strategies. Leveraging more than 25 years of experience, Lisa offers educated insight and creative problem solving to maximize the effectiveness of native plant restoration projects.

  • April, 2017 – April, 2022

    Project Manager • Restoration Ecologist

    Designed and implemented large-scale projects that included the installation of thousands of native plants across hundreds of acres to restore disturbance on public and private lands. Developed restoration, weed control and monitoring strategies based on project site conditions, agency and permit requirements, landowner objectives and other stakeholder concerns. Frequently worked in National Forests and National Parks, on CERCLA sites, in burned areas, and within sensitive ecosystems such as wetlands and riparian zones. Coordinated closely with government agencies, construction contractors, plant material suppliers, and labor crews during the execution of multi-million-dollar contracts. Project duties regularly included identifying contract opportunities, preparing technical proposals and project budgets in order to secure contracts, developing planning documents and participating in agency and peer review, collecting and sourcing native plant material, supervising labor crews, monitoring for weeds and performance standards, and generating post-project reports.

  • September, 2010 – March, 2017

    Environmental Consultant • Technical Writer

    Provided technical expertise and planning documents for habitat restoration projects across the Pacific Northwest, including: Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans, spill prevention plans, traffic control plans, Temporary Erosion and Sediment Control Plans, weed control plans, and long-term maintenance and monitoring plans. Performed surveys on thousands of acres of restored land and produced reports to meet contract requirements. Drafted dozens of native plant revegetation plans that included site maps, planned construction activities, site conditions, species lists for planting and seeding, and methods of installation, plant salvage, weed control, and browse protection. Prepared white papers for complex restoration projects and bid opportunities on behalf of private clients.

  • April, 2004 – August, 2010

    Field Supervisor • Natural Resource Specialist

    Supervised field crews of 5-15 people to implement projects involving seed collection, habitat mapping, rare plant surveys, restoration planting/seeding, erosion control, weed management, and monitoring activities. Frequently supervised crews that only spoke Spanish. Lead investigator on several long-term monitoring projects on large wind farms, analyzing and documenting results in detailed reports.

  • October, 2003 – December, 2007

    Lead Research Assistant

    Four-time volunteer field assistant on an applied ecological investigation in the Chocὀ Biogeographical Region of northwestern Ecuador. To provide a template for science-based reforestation design, assisted in the experimental determination of key limiting factors to tropical secondary forest succession via patterns of seed rain and seedling recruitment, including identification of hundreds of tropical plant species as seedlings; constant contributions to troubleshooting, project design, and the analytical foundations of the study; and team leadership. Conditions were extremely remote and both physically and mentally challenging.

  • March, 2000 – January, 2003

    Forestry Technician • Campbell Timberland Management, LLC

    Designed, prepared and laid out Timber Harvest Plans, including all reconnaissance, writing, and ground preparation. Designed and implemented protection measures for endangered species, cultural resources, and sensitive waterbodies. Used ESRI GIS software to prepare maps and long-term planning documents for property-wide timber management. Performed surveys to assess timber volume, general forest inventory, and stocking standards. Defended Timber Harvest Plans during compliance review proceedings.

  • February, 2000

    Forestry Aide

    Flagged timber harvest boundaries and exclusion zones, marked timber for harvest, performed inventory surveys, and assisted in other timber harvest preparation activities. Assisted in the preparation of Timber Harvest Plans, including preparation of maps using ESRI GIS software. Coordinated with logging crews during timber harvest operations, as a landowner (State of California) representative and inspector.

experience

  • Gifted in translating restoration concepts and ideas into on-the-ground application.

  • Adept at coordinating and managing crews of up to 15 people to complete complicated restoration tasks efficiently and within the confines of project budgets and funding limits.

  • Adaptable project manager with the capacity to organize complex projects in remote locations and under difficult conditions.

  • Capable of discussing intricate restoration strategies with many industry professionals.

  • Excels at problem-solving in the field, often with materials and information at-hand.

  • Experienced in research, design, and implementation of monitoring strategies to satisfy permit requirements, including the preparation of clear, illustrative reports.

  • Skilled in the production of white papers and other persuasive business documents.

  • Knowledgeable about native plant species in a variety of ecosystems in the western US and Ecuador, including identification, seed collection, planting, and maintenance.

Management Skills and Technical Expertise

June, 1997

Bachelor of Science • University of California • Berkeley, CA

Double major in Natural Resource Management and Environmental Economics/Policy. Minor in Forestry. Treasurer/Editor for the UC Berkeley Forestry Club.
Awarded Show-Kotok Prize for Environmental Stewardship.

Education

June, 2019

Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner #0342 •
Society for Ecological Restoration

Certified through the international Society for Ecological Restoration to meet the highest standards of knowledge and experience for ecological restoration practitioners throughout the world.

Saving the world

one native plant at a time

What to expect when you consult with us:

  • High-quality, professional documents.

  • Accurate and timely submittals.

  • Responsive, clear and frequent communication.

  • Tailored approaches that are cost-effective and goal-oriented.

  • Detailed, enforceable planning documents.

  • Effective coordination with landowners, contractors and regulatory agencies.

  • Thoughtful, informed recommendations for project improvement.