Leona K. Svancara, Ph.D.
Leona Svancara is the Assistant Regional Administrator of the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (NW CASC), one of the nine regional centers that form the National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Center Network. This position was formerly known as "Deputy Director".
Leona Svancara is the Assistant Regional Administrator of the Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center. She is a spatial ecologist with over 25 years of experience assessing the impacts of climate change and landscape change on fish and wildlife species of management concern and the habitat on which they depend across multiple spatial and temporal scales. Prior to joining USGS, Leona worked for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game assessing the conservation needs of at-risk wildlife, incorporating those needs into agency planning, and engaging diverse partners to identify and implement effective and efficient actions necessary to reduce impacts and inform management decisions. Leona received her Ph.D. in Natural Resources and M.S. in Wildlife Science from the University of Idaho and a B.S. in Zoology and Marine Biology from Humboldt State University. Leona is adjunct faculty at University of Idaho.
Education and Certifications
PhD in Natural Resources, University of Idaho
MS in Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho
BS in Zoology and Marine Biology, Humboldt State University
Affiliations and Memberships*
The Wildlife Society
Honors and Awards
Employee of the Year, Idaho Department of Fish and Game (2021)
Arthur S. Einarsen Award for Outstanding Service to the Wildlife Profession, Northwest Section of The Wildlife Society (2020)
Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Achievement – Awarded for contributions to climate science, Wildlife Bureau, Idaho Department of Fish and Game (2019)
The Lorax Award – Awarded to honor those who speak for the trees, Wildlife Diversity Program, Idaho Department of Fish and Game (2016)
Wildlife Bureau Team Award – Awarded to the State Wildlife Action Plan Team, Idaho Department of Fish and Game (2016)
Wildlife Bureau Team Award – Awarded to the Elk Plan Habitat Objectives Team, Idaho Department of Fish and Game (2016)
Appreciation Award - Wolverine Science Panel, US Fish and Wildlife Service (2014)
Distinguished Landscape Practitioner Award, US Regional Association of the International Association for Landscape Ecology (2012)
Alumni Award for Excellence, University of Idaho (2009)
Innovation in Management Award, Idaho Department of Fish and Game (2008)
Special Recognition Award, National Park Service (2006)
Science and Products
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government