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Susan K Kemp

I lead the Center’s efforts to communicate our science and manage our data and records. I am a life-long public servant who is passionate about communicating science in a way that is understandable by everyone. I want others to also see what I find so interesting, important, and cool! 

Throughout my career, and without realizing it, I'd been asked to communicate complex ecological issues to non-scientists. It was only when I briefed a group on what I and other scientists considered a major scientific accomplishment and only got the response "I don't get it. Why did it cost so much and take so long?" did I realize that we as scientists weren't doing an effective job of communicating our science. That moment made me realize my passion for science communication. I am excited to be in a position where I can help scientists share the value and importance of their work to others.

Professional Experience

  • 2014-present: USGS, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Science & Data Delivery Program Manager, Corvallis, OR

  • 2009-2014: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, Senior Biologist, Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan-Southern Coastal Systems Regional Coordinator, Jacksonville, FL

  • 2008: City of Atlanta, Department of Watershed Management, Surface Water Quality Program Manager, Atlanta, GA

  • 1994-2006: Miami-Dade County, Department of Environmental Resources Management, Surface Water Quality and Seagrass Program Manager, Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan Coordinator, Miami, FL

Education and Certifications

  • M.S., Environmental Science, Florida International University, Miami, FL (2004)

  • B.S., Marine Science/Biology, double major, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL (1994)

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • Toastmasters International

Science and Products

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USGS

Enhancing ArcGIS Survey123 to improve rangeland and aquatic data collection

We will develop additional Survey123 functionality to improve field data collection and reduce error rates
By
Community for Data Integration (CDI)
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Enhancing ArcGIS Survey123 to improve rangeland and aquatic data collection

We will develop additional Survey123 functionality to improve field data collection and reduce error rates
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Image of the contents of a repeat photo stake folder.

Developing a USGS Legacy Data Inventory to Preserve and Release Historical USGS Data

Legacy data (n) - Information stored in an old or obsolete format or computer system that is, therefore, difficult to access or process. (Business Dictionary, 2016) For over 135 years, the U.S. Geological Survey has collected diverse information about the natural world and how it interacts with society. Much of this legacy information is one-of-a-kind and in danger of being lost forever through d
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Core Science Systems Mission Area, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS) Program, Community for Data Integration (CDI), Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center , Fort Collins Science Center, Great Lakes Science Center
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Developing a USGS Legacy Data Inventory to Preserve and Release Historical USGS Data

Legacy data (n) - Information stored in an old or obsolete format or computer system that is, therefore, difficult to access or process. (Business Dictionary, 2016) For over 135 years, the U.S. Geological Survey has collected diverse information about the natural world and how it interacts with society. Much of this legacy information is one-of-a-kind and in danger of being lost forever through d
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Golden Eagle B-roll for Accelerometry Data Characterization

B-roll footage of a trained golden eagle.
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Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Ecosystems Mission Area Overview slide deck

Ecosystems Mission Area Overview slide deck

Slides describing the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area presented at the Fall 2022 Saline Lakes Stakeholder Workshops for the Nevada California, Great Salt Lake, and Oregon geographic areas.

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Ecosystems, Water Resources, Species Management Research Program, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Ecosystems Mission Area Overview slide deck

Ecosystems Mission Area Overview slide deck

Slides describing the USGS Ecosystems Mission Area presented at the Fall 2022 Saline Lakes Stakeholder Workshops for the Nevada California, Great Salt Lake, and Oregon geographic areas.

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Ecosystems, Water Resources, Species Management Research Program, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Water Mission Area Integrated Water Availability Assessments Overview slide deck

Water Mission Area Integrated Water Availability Assessments Overview slide deck

Slides describing the USGS Water Mission Area's Integrated Water Availability Assessment Program presented at the Fall 2022 Saline Lakes Stakeholder Workshops for the Nevada California, Great Salt Lake, and Oregon geographic areas.

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Ecosystems, Water Resources, Species Management Research Program, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Water Mission Area Integrated Water Availability Assessments Overview slide deck

Water Mission Area Integrated Water Availability Assessments Overview slide deck

Slides describing the USGS Water Mission Area's Integrated Water Availability Assessment Program presented at the Fall 2022 Saline Lakes Stakeholder Workshops for the Nevada California, Great Salt Lake, and Oregon geographic areas.

By
Ecosystems, Water Resources, Species Management Research Program, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Oregon Saline Lakes Workshop, Meeting Summary, 11/8/2022-11/09/2022

Oregon Saline Lakes Workshop, Meeting Summary, 11/8/2022-11/09/2022

High-level meeting summaries of the state-local stakeholder workshop held for the Oregon geographic area on 11/8/2022-11/9/2022

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Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Saline Lakes Ecosystems Integrated Water Availability Assessment

Oregon Saline Lakes Workshop, Meeting Summary, 11/8/2022-11/09/2022

Oregon Saline Lakes Workshop, Meeting Summary, 11/8/2022-11/09/2022

High-level meeting summaries of the state-local stakeholder workshop held for the Oregon geographic area on 11/8/2022-11/9/2022

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Saline Lakes Ecosystems Integrated Water Availability Assessment

Nevada California Saline Lakes Workshop, Meeting Summary, 10/18/2022-10/19/2022

Nevada California Saline Lakes Workshop, Meeting Summary, 10/18/2022-10/19/2022

High-level meeting summaries of the state-local stakeholder workshop held for the Nevada California geographic area on 10/18/2022-10/19/2022

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Saline Lakes Ecosystems Integrated Water Availability Assessment

Nevada California Saline Lakes Workshop, Meeting Summary, 10/18/2022-10/19/2022

Nevada California Saline Lakes Workshop, Meeting Summary, 10/18/2022-10/19/2022

High-level meeting summaries of the state-local stakeholder workshop held for the Nevada California geographic area on 10/18/2022-10/19/2022

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Saline Lakes Ecosystems Integrated Water Availability Assessment

Great Salt Lake Saline Lakes Workshop, Meeting Summary, 11/1/2022-11/2/2022

Great Salt Lake Saline Lakes Workshop, Meeting Summary, 11/1/2022-11/2/2022

High-level meeting summaries of the state-local stakeholder workshop held for the Great Salt Lake geographic area on 11/1/2022-11/2/2022

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Saline Lakes Ecosystems Integrated Water Availability Assessment

Great Salt Lake Saline Lakes Workshop, Meeting Summary, 11/1/2022-11/2/2022

Great Salt Lake Saline Lakes Workshop, Meeting Summary, 11/1/2022-11/2/2022

High-level meeting summaries of the state-local stakeholder workshop held for the Great Salt Lake geographic area on 11/1/2022-11/2/2022

By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Water Availability and Use Science Program, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Nevada Water Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center, Utah Water Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Saline Lakes Ecosystems Integrated Water Availability Assessment
Metolius River running through the Deschutes National Forest in Camp Sherman, Oregon
Metolius River, Smiling River Campground, Deschutes National Forest
Metolius River, Smiling River Campground, Deschutes National Forest
Metolius River running through the Deschutes National Forest in Camp Sherman, Oregon

Metolius River, Smiling River Campground, Deschutes National Forest

Metolius River, Smiling River Campground, Deschutes National Forest

Metolius River, Smiling River Campground, Deschutes National Forest

By
Ecosystems, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center
Metolius River running through the Deschutes National Forest in Camp Sherman, Oregon

Metolius River, Smiling River Campground, Deschutes National Forest

Metolius River, Smiling River Campground, Deschutes National Forest

Metolius River, Smiling River Campground, Deschutes National Forest

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Ecosystems, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

Integrated science strategy for assessing and monitoring water availability and migratory birds for terminal lakes across the Great Basin, United States

Executive SummaryIn 2022, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) established the Saline Lake Ecosystems Integrated Water Availability Assessment (IWAAs) to monitor and assess the hydrology of terminal lakes in the Great Basin and the migratory birds and other wildlife dependent on those habitats. Scientists from across the USGS (with specialties in water quantity, water quality, limnology, avian biolog
Authors
Rebecca J. Frus, Cameron L. Aldridge, Michael L. Casazza, Collin A. Eagles-Smith, Garth Herring, Scott A. Hynek, Daniel K. Jones, Susan K Kemp, Thomas M. Marston, Christopher M. Morris, Ramon C. Naranjo, Cee Nell, David R. O'Leary, Cory T. Overton, Bryce A. Pulver, Brian E. Reichert, Christine A. Rumsey, Rudy Schuster, Cassandra D. Smith
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

The integrated rangeland fire management strategy actionable science plan

The Integrated Rangeland Fire Management Strategy (hereafter Strategy, DOI 2015) outlined the need for coordinated, science-based adaptive management to achieve long-term protection, conservation, and restoration of the sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) ecosystem. A key component of this management approach is the identification of knowledge gaps that limit implementation of effective strategies to meet
Authors
Cameron L. Aldridge, Ken Berg, Chad S. Boyd, Stephen P. Boyte, John B. Bradford, Ed Brunson, John H. Cissel, Courtney J. Conway, Anna D. Chalfoun, Jeanne C. Chambers, Patrick Clark, Peter S. Coates, Michele R. Crist, Dawn M. Davis, Nicole DeCrappeo, Patricia A. Deibert, Kevin E. Doherty, Louisa B. Evers, Deborah M. Finch, Sean P. Finn, Matthew J. Germino, Nancy F. Glenn, Corey Gucker, John A. Hall, Steven E. Hanser, Douglas W. Havlina, Julie A. Heinrichs, Matt Heller, Collin G. Homer, Molly E. Hunter, Ruth W. Jacobs, Jason W. Karl, Richard Kearney, Susan K Kemp, Francis F. Kilkenny, Steven T. Knick, Karen Launchbaugh, Daniel J. Manier, Kenneth E. Mayer, Susan E. Meyer, Adrian P. Monroe, Eugénie MontBlanc, Beth A. Newingham, Michael L. Pellant, Susan L. Phillips, David S. Pilliod, Mark A. Ricca, Bryce A. Richardson, Jeffrey A. Rose, Nancy Shaw, Roger L. Sheley, Douglas J. Shinneman, Lief A. Wiechman, Bruce K. Wylie
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program

Non-USGS Publications**

RECOVER, 2015. RECOVER: 2014 System Status Report - Key Findings, Southern Coastal Systems. Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, Restoration Coordination and Verification, 2014 System Status Report.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2014. Jacksonville Harbor Navigation Study, Duval County, Florida: Final integrated general reevaluation report II and supplemental environmental impact statement, Appendix E: Ecological Effects Assessment and Compensatory Mitigation Report.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2014. Central Everglades Planning Project, Final Integrated Project Implementation Report and Environmental Impact Statement, Annex D: Adaptive Management and Monitoring Plans, Annex E: RECOVER Reviews.
RECOVER, 2013. RECOVER: 2012 System Status Report Interim Update - Southern Coastal Systems Module. Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, Restoration Coordination and Verification, System Status Report Interim Update.
RECOVER Southern Coastal Systems Regional Team, 2012. Southern Coastal Systems Salinity Performance Measure: Florida Bay.
RECOVER, 2010. RECOVER: 2009 System Status Report; Chapter 5-Data Management, Chapter 9-Southern Coastal Systems Module. Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, Restoration Coordination and Verification, 2009 System Status Report.

**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.

GIS Clipping and Summarization Toolbox

This tool is being provided free to the public in support of GIS specialists who calculate summary information.
By
Community for Data Integration (CDI), Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

To request an interview, contact fresc_outreach@usgs.gov or call (541) 750-1030.

Smallmouth bass mercury levels linked to habitat types along the Snake River 

Smallmouth bass mercury levels linked to habitat types along the Snake River 

Mercury concentrations are twice as high in smallmouth bass found in reservoirs than those in the free-flowing sections of the Snake River in Idaho...

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Saline Lakes Stakeholder Workshop Meeting Materials

Saline Lakes Stakeholder Workshop Meeting Materials

In fall 2022, the Saline Lakes Team held three two-day virtual workshops to identify stakeholder science priorities for the Great Basin terminal lakes...

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Northern Spotted Owl Still Fights for Survival

Northern Spotted Owl Still Fights for Survival

Three studies highlight how the interactions between northern spotted owl and the invasive barred owl are intertwined. 

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New USGS Analysis of Wind Turbine Upgrades Shows No Impact on Wildlife Mortality

New USGS Analysis of Wind Turbine Upgrades Shows No Impact on Wildlife Mortality

CORVALLIS, ORE. – Reduction in wildlife mortality rates is sometimes cited as a potential benefit to the replacement of older, smaller turbines by...

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New Center Director at the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

New Center Director at the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center

CORVALLIS, Ore. — The U.S. Geological Survey has selected Sue Phillips as the new center director of the Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center...

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Advancing Wind Energy and Avoiding Wildlife Conflicts

Advancing Wind Energy and Avoiding Wildlife Conflicts

Our Nation works to advance renewable energy and to avoid conflicts with and conserve wildlife.

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Protecting the Sagebrush Landscape of the Quintessential West

Protecting the Sagebrush Landscape of the Quintessential West

The sagebrush landscape has long been valued by humans; first by the Native Americans, who lived off the resources in this vast landscape, then the...

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Comprehensive Study finds Widespread Mercury Contamination Across Western North America

Comprehensive Study finds Widespread Mercury Contamination Across Western North America

Mercury contamination is widespread, at various levels across western North America in air, soil, sediment, plants, fish and wildlife.

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Science and Products

*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