Tait K 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, natural resource management and governance, environmental impact analysis, and landscape ecology. His work explores ways to advance the use of science to inform decision making on public lands. His current projects include an effort to develop science synthesis products and processes directly tailored to common and emergent land management issues and another project to assess and develop cumulative effects analysis processes. Prior to joining the USGS, Tait was a NEPA Planner for the USDA Forest Service, working on land management plans and project planning for the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland and the Bitterroot National Forest.
Professional Experience
Biologist (2021-present), U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado
NEPA Planner (2018-2021), USDA Forest Service, Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland, Laramie, Wyoming
Interdisciplinary Team Leader (2021), USDA Forest Service, Bitterroot National Forest, Hamilton, Montana
Education and Certifications
M.S. in Forest Sciences, Colorado State University, 2018
B.A. in Political Science, Columbia University, 2016
Science and Products
Developing a series of fire science syntheses for wildland fire managers
Developing structured science syntheses for use in NEPA analyses and decision making in the Bureau of Land Management
Synthesis of sage-grouse genetic information to support conservation and land management actions
Developing science syntheses to facilitate climate-informed land management decisions and NEPA analyses on rangelands in the sagebrush biome
Short Science Syntheses and NEPA Analyses for Climate-Informed Land Management Decisions in Sagebrush Rangelands
Developing a step-by-step process for assessing cumulative effects in the Bureau of Land Management
Effects of noise from oil and gas development on raptors and songbirds—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses
Structured science syntheses to inform decision making on Federal public lands
Annotated bibliography of scientific research on Taeniatherum caput-medusae published from January 2010 to January 2022
Effects of culverts on habitat connectivity in streams—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses
Annotated bibliography of scientific research on greater sage-grouse published from October 2019 to July 2022
Effects of noise from oil and gas development on ungulates and small mammals—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses
Annotated bibliography of scientific research on Gunnison sage-grouse published from January 2005 to September 2022
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
Developing a series of fire science syntheses for wildland fire managers
Developing structured science syntheses for use in NEPA analyses and decision making in the Bureau of Land Management
Synthesis of sage-grouse genetic information to support conservation and land management actions
Developing science syntheses to facilitate climate-informed land management decisions and NEPA analyses on rangelands in the sagebrush biome
Short Science Syntheses and NEPA Analyses for Climate-Informed Land Management Decisions in Sagebrush Rangelands
Developing a step-by-step process for assessing cumulative effects in the Bureau of Land Management
Effects of noise from oil and gas development on raptors and songbirds—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses
Structured science syntheses to inform decision making on Federal public lands
Annotated bibliography of scientific research on Taeniatherum caput-medusae published from January 2010 to January 2022
Effects of culverts on habitat connectivity in streams—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses
Annotated bibliography of scientific research on greater sage-grouse published from October 2019 to July 2022
Effects of noise from oil and gas development on ungulates and small mammals—A science synthesis to inform National Environmental Policy Act analyses
Annotated bibliography of scientific research on Gunnison sage-grouse published from January 2005 to September 2022
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.