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Tait Rutherford

Tait Rutherford is a biologist at the Fort Collins Science Center. 

Tait Rutherford (he/him) joined the USGS in 2021. His research interests include conservation planning and policy on public lands. He is working on a variety of projects exploring ways to advance the use of science to inform decision making in the Bureau of Land Management. Prior to joining the USGS, Tait worked as a land management planner for the USDA Forest Service, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland.

Education and Certifications

  • M.S. in Forest Sciences, Colorado State University, 2018

    B.A. in Political Science, Columbia University, 2016

Science and Products

link
Ear Mountain in the background, with herds of elk in the foreground. The sun is setting, casting an orange and blue glow over the whole scene.

Developing short science syntheses for use in NEPA analyses and decisions in the Bureau of Land Management

Scientific information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. However, agencies often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science. We are working with the Bureau of Land Management to develop a new type of science product—short science syntheses—for facilitating use of the best available science in public lands decisions.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
link

Developing short science syntheses for use in NEPA analyses and decisions in the Bureau of Land Management

Scientific information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. However, agencies often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science. We are working with the Bureau of Land Management to develop a new type of science product—short science syntheses—for facilitating use of the best available science in public lands decisions.
Learn More
link
Dalton Highway in Alaska, a gravel road winding through forests with large mountains in the background.

Developing a step-by-step process for assessing cumulative effects in the Bureau of Land Management

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to assess potential impacts of proposed actions as part of their decision-making processes. Assessing potential cumulative effects is a challenging component of NEPA analyses. We are working with the Bureau of Land Management to develop a process that staff can use to strengthen cumulative effects analyses.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
link

Developing a step-by-step process for assessing cumulative effects in the Bureau of Land Management

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to assess potential impacts of proposed actions as part of their decision-making processes. Assessing potential cumulative effects is a challenging component of NEPA analyses. We are working with the Bureau of Land Management to develop a process that staff can use to strengthen cumulative effects analyses.
Learn More

Annotated bibliography of scientific research on greater sage-grouse published from October 2019 to July 2022

Integrating recent scientific knowledge into management decisions supports effective natural resource management and can lead to better resource outcomes. However, finding and accessing scientific knowledge can be time consuming and costly. To assist in this process, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) created a series of annotated bibliographies on topics of management concern for western lands. Pr
Authors
Elisabeth C. Teige, Logan M. Maxwell, Samuel E. Jordan, Tait K. Rutherford, Emma I. Dietrich, Ella M. Samuel, Alexandra L. Stoneburner, Nathan J. Kleist, Jennifer K. Meineke, Lea B. Selby, Alison C. Foster, Sarah K. Carter
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

Effects of noise from oil and gas development on ungulates and small mammals—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses

The U.S. Geological Survey is working with Federal land management agencies to develop a series of science syntheses to support environmental effects analyses that agencies conduct to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This report synthesizes science information about the potential effects of noise from oil and gas development on North American ungulates and small mammals, i
Authors
Tait K. Rutherford, Logan M. Maxwell, Nathan J. Kleist, Elisabeth C. Teige, Richard J. Lehrter, Megan A. Gilbert, David J.A. Wood, Aaron N. Johnston, Claudia Mengelt, John C. Tull, Travis S. Haby, Sarah K. Carter
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

Annotated bibliography of scientific research on Gunnison sage-grouse published from January 2005 to September 2022

Integrating recent scientific knowledge into management decisions supports effective natural resource management and can lead to better resource outcomes. However, finding and accessing scientific knowledge can be time consuming and costly. To assist in this process, the U.S. Geological Survey is creating a series of annotated bibliographies on topics of management concern for western lands. Previ
Authors
Logan M. Maxwell, Elisabeth C. Teige, Samuel E. Jordan, Tait K. Rutherford, Ella M. Samuel, Lea B. Selby, Alison C. Foster, Nathan J. Kleist, Sarah K. Carter
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center
link

FORT scientists publish an updated annotated bibliography of greater sage-grouse research

A recently published USGS Open-File Report compiles and summarizes 147 research products about greater sage-grouse published between 2019 and 2022. 

...
Read Article
link

USGS and partners publish the first in a series of science syntheses to support National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses

USGS is working with federal land management agencies to develop a series of science syntheses to support environmental effects analyses that agencies...

Read Article
link

FORT scientists publish an annotated bibliography of scientific research on a threatened species, the Gunnison sage-grouse

In 2014, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) listed Gunnison sage-grouse as threatened under the Endangered Species Act because of declining...

Read Article
link

FORT Scientists Discuss Research at the 2023 Ecological Society of America Meeting

FORT researchers will be presenting at the 2023 Ecological Society of America (ESA) Conference in Portland, OR from August 6-11. The theme of this...

Read Article

Science and Products

  • Science
    link
    Ear Mountain in the background, with herds of elk in the foreground. The sun is setting, casting an orange and blue glow over the whole scene.

    Developing short science syntheses for use in NEPA analyses and decisions in the Bureau of Land Management

    Scientific information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. However, agencies often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science. We are working with the Bureau of Land Management to develop a new type of science product—short science syntheses—for facilitating use of the best available science in public lands decisions.
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
    link

    Developing short science syntheses for use in NEPA analyses and decisions in the Bureau of Land Management

    Scientific information is fundamental to understanding how proposed actions on public lands may impact the environment. However, agencies often have limited time to compile and synthesize existing science. We are working with the Bureau of Land Management to develop a new type of science product—short science syntheses—for facilitating use of the best available science in public lands decisions.
    Learn More
    link
    Dalton Highway in Alaska, a gravel road winding through forests with large mountains in the background.

    Developing a step-by-step process for assessing cumulative effects in the Bureau of Land Management

    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to assess potential impacts of proposed actions as part of their decision-making processes. Assessing potential cumulative effects is a challenging component of NEPA analyses. We are working with the Bureau of Land Management to develop a process that staff can use to strengthen cumulative effects analyses.
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
    link

    Developing a step-by-step process for assessing cumulative effects in the Bureau of Land Management

    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to assess potential impacts of proposed actions as part of their decision-making processes. Assessing potential cumulative effects is a challenging component of NEPA analyses. We are working with the Bureau of Land Management to develop a process that staff can use to strengthen cumulative effects analyses.
    Learn More
  • Publications

    Annotated bibliography of scientific research on greater sage-grouse published from October 2019 to July 2022

    Integrating recent scientific knowledge into management decisions supports effective natural resource management and can lead to better resource outcomes. However, finding and accessing scientific knowledge can be time consuming and costly. To assist in this process, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) created a series of annotated bibliographies on topics of management concern for western lands. Pr
    Authors
    Elisabeth C. Teige, Logan M. Maxwell, Samuel E. Jordan, Tait K. Rutherford, Emma I. Dietrich, Ella M. Samuel, Alexandra L. Stoneburner, Nathan J. Kleist, Jennifer K. Meineke, Lea B. Selby, Alison C. Foster, Sarah K. Carter
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

    Effects of noise from oil and gas development on ungulates and small mammals—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses

    The U.S. Geological Survey is working with Federal land management agencies to develop a series of science syntheses to support environmental effects analyses that agencies conduct to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This report synthesizes science information about the potential effects of noise from oil and gas development on North American ungulates and small mammals, i
    Authors
    Tait K. Rutherford, Logan M. Maxwell, Nathan J. Kleist, Elisabeth C. Teige, Richard J. Lehrter, Megan A. Gilbert, David J.A. Wood, Aaron N. Johnston, Claudia Mengelt, John C. Tull, Travis S. Haby, Sarah K. Carter
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center

    Annotated bibliography of scientific research on Gunnison sage-grouse published from January 2005 to September 2022

    Integrating recent scientific knowledge into management decisions supports effective natural resource management and can lead to better resource outcomes. However, finding and accessing scientific knowledge can be time consuming and costly. To assist in this process, the U.S. Geological Survey is creating a series of annotated bibliographies on topics of management concern for western lands. Previ
    Authors
    Logan M. Maxwell, Elisabeth C. Teige, Samuel E. Jordan, Tait K. Rutherford, Ella M. Samuel, Lea B. Selby, Alison C. Foster, Nathan J. Kleist, Sarah K. Carter
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Fort Collins Science Center
  • News
    link

    FORT scientists publish an updated annotated bibliography of greater sage-grouse research

    A recently published USGS Open-File Report compiles and summarizes 147 research products about greater sage-grouse published between 2019 and 2022. 

    ...
    Read Article
    link

    USGS and partners publish the first in a series of science syntheses to support National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses

    USGS is working with federal land management agencies to develop a series of science syntheses to support environmental effects analyses that agencies...

    Read Article
    link

    FORT scientists publish an annotated bibliography of scientific research on a threatened species, the Gunnison sage-grouse

    In 2014, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) listed Gunnison sage-grouse as threatened under the Endangered Species Act because of declining...

    Read Article
    link

    FORT Scientists Discuss Research at the 2023 Ecological Society of America Meeting

    FORT researchers will be presenting at the 2023 Ecological Society of America (ESA) Conference in Portland, OR from August 6-11. The theme of this...

    Read Article