Molly McCormick
Connecting state-of-the-art science with today's land management challenges.
Biography
My work includes an understanding of complex human and natural systems, the importance of relationships between people and place, and recognition of the policies and social structures that shape our work. As an ecologist, I am interested in the function and restoration of desert ecosystems: grasslands, scrublands, and woodlands. I work on disturbances created by drought, mining and energy development, and other types of land use. I like to take a pro-active approach to disturbance and support strategic development and restoration, as water-limited ecosystems (a.k.a. deserts) are costly and difficult to restore. This work is important as degraded deserts create human health risks, increase chance of catastrophic fire, and loss of habitat which affects species of concern and working landscapes. I am the coordinator of the Restoration Assessment and Monitoring Program for the Southwest (RAMPS) program where I collaborate with mulitiple stakeholders to develop creative solutions to complex environmental issues.
I currently sit as the USGS federal liaison for the Plant Conservation Alliance.
Education
M.S. Environmental Science and Policy, Northern Arizona Unviersity, Flagstaff, AZ, May 2017
Studies in Western Herbal Medicine Certificate, Charles Kane, Tucson, AZ 2014
Permaculture Design Certificate, Sonoran Permaculture Guilde, Tucson, AZ, April 2013
B.A.S. Southwest Studies, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO, May 2003
Interests
Plant Ecology, Ecosystem Ecology, Dryland Ecology, Restoration Ecology, Soil Erosion, Social-Ecological Systems, Stakeholder Engagement
Relevant Past Positions
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 2015-2017
Graduate Teaching Assistant for Environmental Programs
Friends of the Verde River Greenway, Cottonwood, AZ 2015-2017
Restoration Ecologist, Co-manager Verde Native Seed Coop
Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon, AZ 2013-2017
Biological Science Technician (Intermittent)
Oak Creek Watershed Council, Sedona, AZ 2016
Urban Restoration Ecologist, Green Infrastructure and Low-Impact Design
Borderlands Restoration, Patagonia, AZ 2013-2015
Restoration Ecologist, Outreach Coordinator, Native Plant Farmer
Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon, AZ 2010-2013
Volunteer Plant Biologist
Grand Canyon Trust, Flagstaff, AZ 2010-2012
Budding Botanist Volunteer
Grand Canyon Hikes and Adventure Vista, Flagstaff, AZ 2003-2006
Grand Canyon Hiking Guide
Wolf Creek Anglers, South Fork, CO 2003
Fly Fishing Guide
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ 2000
Biological Science Technician, Grand Canyon Fisheries
Science and Products
Best Management Practices
Best management practices (BMPs) can be used to help prevent the spread of invasive species and help mitigate the consequences of invasive species once they have become established. BMPs provide a framework for natural resource managers to follow to effectively deal with, and prevent the spread of, invasive species.
RestoreNet: Distributed Field Trial Network for Dryland Restoration
Recovery from disturbance represents a substantial challenge to agencies that manage large tracts of land in the Southwest. Despite the demand for restoration and rehabilitation, little information is available to help managers effectively reestablish native perennial vegetation and stabilize soils, especially given changing climate and disturbance regimes.
Forestry and agriculture have...
Southwest Energy Development and Drought (SWEDD)
Deserts of the southwestern US are replete with oil and gas deposits as well as sites for solar, wind, and geothermal energy production. In the past, many of these resources have been too expensive to develop, but increased demand and new technologies have led to an increase in exploration and development. However, desert ecosystems generally have low resilience to disturbance. More frequent,...
RAMPS: Restoration Assessment & Monitoring Program for the Southwest
The Restoration Assessment and Monitoring Program for the Southwest (RAMPS) seeks to assist U.S. Department of the Interior and other land management agencies and private partners in developing successful restoration strategies for dryland ecosystems of the southwestern United States. Invasive species, drought, habitat loss, fire, urban expansion, and other disturbances have degraded...
Beyond traditional ecological restoration on the Colorado Plateau
The Colorado Plateau is one of North America's five major deserts, encompassing 340,000 km2 of the western U.S., and offering many opportunities for restoration relevant to researchers and land managers in drylands around the globe. The Colorado Plateau is comprised of vast tracts of public land managed by local, state, and federal agencies...
Winkler, Daniel E.; Backer, Dana M.; Belnap, Jayne; Bradford, John B.; Butterfield, Bradley J.; Copeland, Stella M.; Duniway, Michael C.; Faist, Akasha M.; Fick, Stephen E.; Jensen, Scott L.; Kramer, Andrea T.; Mann, Rebecca; Massatti, Robert; McCormick, Molly L.; Munson, Seth M.; Olwell, Peggy; Parr, Steve D.; Pfennigwerth, Alix; Pilmanis, Adrienne M.; Richardson, Bryce A.; Samuel, Ella; See, Kathy; Young, Kristina E.; Reed, Sasha C.