Jeff Clarke, Field Project Coordinator, graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, with a B.S. in outdoor recreation education. After college, Jeff managed U.S. Forest Service campgrounds in Northern Minnesota and ran interpretive programs for the parks. After several months in the woods, he decided to explore Western Montana and soon after was introduced to MPG. Jeff took a role with the MPG North field crew for two years where he gathered data for tree studies, completed forestry projects, worked to eradicate invasives, identified and photo documented species, and assisted MPG’s team of scientists.
Jeff now lives on the MPG Ranch and manages the field crew. He leads projects focused on weed eradication, forest thinning, tree protection, prevention of soil degradation, plant propagation, field reporting, ranch maintenance, along with many other tasks. Jeff regularly monitors the effects of his restoration efforts and looks forward to seeing the long term results.
Photo: Alan Ramsey
Alexii Cornell, Microbial Ecology Research, graduated with a B.S. in microbiology from the University of Montana in 2009. As an undergraduate, Alexii worked as a research assistant in an environmental microbiology lab and also conducted research on parasite loads in white-tailed deer in the Swan Valley of Montana.
She currently works for the MPG Ranch as a field technician and as well as in the laboratory where she provides assistance on a variety of projects, including characterization of novel bacterial isolates and genetic analyses of bacterial and fungal communities. When Alexii isn’t busy in the lab, she’s spending time keeping up with her two energetic children, Sloan and Lex.
Photo: Alan Ramsey
Nicholas Franczyk, M.F.A.Technology Director, achieved a B.S. in geology from the University of Montana, Missoula, later earning an M.F.A. in media arts. Nicholas remained in Montana, far from his native Wisconsin, to work as a video editor, making action sports films and hunting & fishing TV shows. His editing work has earned many film festival awards around the globe, including best picture at the Jules Verne Adventure Film Festival.
Currently, Nick is applying his talents at MPG Ranch to oversee remote camera management, video production and tech support. In his free time Nicholas enjoys time with his family, mountain biking, skiing, hang gliding, and hunting.
Photo: Alan Ramsey
Nathan Gordon, Ecologist, graduated with a B.S. in Biology from the University of Montana, Missoula where he developed an interest in the ecological roles microbes play in the environment. Nate’s research at the University of Montana focused on the structural and functional diversity of microbial communities in a large alluvial floodplain in Northwestern Montana.
Nate’s current work at MPG Ranch includes the investigations of bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata) shrub regeneration, below ground shrub-microbe symbioses, and the roles of bitterbrush in nutrient cycling and wildlife food webs. Additionally, Nate manages the daily operations of MPG’s Missoula laboratory. He and his wife have two young children, and they all enjoy Montana’s great outdoors.
Photo: Alan Ramsey
Teagan Hayes, Field Researcher, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in zoology and geography. She worked in a protein purification lab and later in Wisconsin's north woods as a forest research technician before moving to Montana. Teagan moved to Bozeman to work in rangeland consulting, a job that took her all over Montana, Oregon, Utah and Nevada, where she collected data including plant composition, community dynamics, ecological condition indicators, and soil characteristics. Her diverse research and fieldwork background includes studies on prairie restoration, second-growth forest response to canopy gaps, and the effects of watershed land use on aquatic beetle species richness.
Teagan is currently observing large mammals at MPG, studying elk grazing and browsing habits for their effect on vegetative communities. She has also been involved in vegetation monitoring of experimental plots on the ranch. She loves being a naturalist both on and off the ranch and, in her spare time, also enjoys painting, making music, skiing, hiking, and biking
Lorinda Hunt, Forest Ecology Researcher, graduated from The University of Montana in 2010 with a B.S. in microbial ecology. Her undergraduate studies included research on fungal symbionts in cool season grasses as well as mechanisms aiding in herbicide resistance. During her junior year she began working with MPG Ranch, focusing on fungal endophytes in white pine trees and their associations with blister rust fungi and deer browsing.
Currently Lorinda focuses on endophytes as plant pathogens and as biological aids in native species re-establishment. Additionally, she is involved in fungal microscopy and identification, characterizations of novel species, and investigations into the possible use of Ustilago bullata, an endophyte, as a biological control agent of invasive cheatgrass on MPG Ranch. She also assists in forestry restoration and management on MPG North. While not at work, Lorinda stays active through backcountry skiing or hiking, traveling, and mountain bike riding.
Photo: Alan Ramsey
Beau Larkin, M.Ed. MPG North Manager and Forest Ecologist, received a B.S. in forestry in 2005 and completed his M.Ed. in secondary biology and broad-field science in 2010 at the University of Montana, Missoula. Initially his sights were set on a teaching career, concentrating on experiential and outdoor education. After joining MPG Ranch in 2008, forest ecology and restoration supplanted his original focus.
Beau manages day-to-day operations at MPG North, an MPG property located in the Swan Valley near Condon, MT. He also conducts original research on plant-fungal symbioses, forest restoration techniques, and fungal applications in soil restoration. His primary goals are to provide data-driven management of restoration projects and increase interest in private lands conservation. To that end, Beau works with collaborators and community partners to extend the reach of MPG's research.
Photo: Jonathan Carvella
Joshua Lisbon, Education & Community Outreach Manager, graduated from the University of Montana, Missoula, in 2009 with an M.A. in Intercultural Youth and Family Development. Joshua has designed and implemented wilderness and experiential-based education programs for various agencies since 2001. He has worked in Missoula since 2005 predominately with disadvantaged populations providing challenging and empowering programming for youth and adults alike.
At MPG, Joshua works to coordinate with local agencies and school districts as well as the university to connect students and members of the community to MPG’s work. He also recruits and mobilizes volunteers to accomplish various projects for the ranch. In his free time, Joshua enjoys exploring Montana’s wild places. As an avid outdoorsman, he enjoys any pursuit that keeps him connected to the natural world.
Photo: Joshua Lisbon
Ylva Lekberg, Ph. D. Ecologist, graduated from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences with a M.Sc. in Biology and Horticulture in 1996 and a Ph.D. in Ecology from Penn State University in 2004. She received the Alumni Association Dissertation Award for her work in agroecology and subsistence farming in Sub-Saharan Africa. Post-doctoral positions at Montana State University and later at Copenhagen University as a Marie Curie Fellow have allowed her to explore the role of mycorrhiza, a root-fungus symbiosis, for geothermal plants in Yellowstone National Park and coastal grasslands in Denmark. Her research has been published in journals such as Ecology, Journal of Ecology and New Phytologist.
Ylva currently works at MPG Ranch as a soil ecologist. She explores the role of mycorrhiza in the success of exotic plants and examines the use of specific pathogens to combat invasions. In her spare time Ylva mountain-bikes, plays soccer, and maintains a large vegetable garden.
Photo: Alan Ramsey
Mike McTee, Project Coordinator and Restoration Research, earned a B.S. in chemistry at the University of Montana in Missoula in 2010. While working towards his degree, he also worked in an environmental microbiology lab studying chronic heavy metal exposure and its effects on trophic interactions. During his summers away from school, he worked at MPG North monitoring the water table, surveying aquatic insect distribution and assisting in various restoration activities.
Mike is currently a field technician at MPG Ranch where he is involved in many projects including, surveying the distribution of weed biocontrol agents and measuring soil respiration and conductivity. Additionally, Mike recently assumed the responsibility of managing the irrigation system on the Ranch. When away from work, Mike travels, runs through the mountains, and catches fish that bite back.
Photo: Alan Ramsey
Dan Mummey, Ph. D. Restoration Ecologist, earned his B.A. in microbiology at Eastern Washington University, his M.S. in soil science at Washington State University, and his Ph.D. in soil science and restoration ecology at the University of Wyoming. After graduating in 2004, he worked as an assistant research professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Montana, Missoula. Dan's research focuses on how soil structure, soil organisms and plants determine plant community composition and ecosystem function.
In Dan’s current role at MPG Ranch he develops and implements methods to establish healthy native plant communities in disturbed areas.
Photo: Alan Ramsey
Raneid Patrick, Office Manager (pronounced "Roni") was named after her Norwegian grandmother and grew up in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley. After attending the University of Montana, Missoula, Roni wrote financial reports for Dunne and Bradstreet in San Francisco and was an accountant at the University of Montana for 38 years. Roni worked in many departments at the University, including the Microbiology Department and the Division of Biological Sciences. As an accounting associate with the Division of Biological Sciences, Roni oversaw more than $38 million in grants and payroll for over 200 employees.
Currently, she is the office manager at MPG, tracking expenses and processing payroll. She enjoys many social activities and visiting her son, who is in the Air Force at the Pentagon, his wife, and her grandson.
Photo: Alan Ramsey
Alan Ramsey, Artist, graduated with a B.S. from Randolph Macon College. He tripple majored in biology, history, and studio art with a minor in art history. After graduating, he spent two years studying portraiture with the Egeli family in Annapolis Maryland before attending Jacob Collins Atelier in New York City. He moved back to Montana ten years ago, working as a painter of portraits.
His current position at MPG is as a wildlife photographer and videographer.
Photo: Alan Ramsey
Philip W. Ramsey, Ph. D. General Manager and Ecologist, moved to Missoula the day after graduating from high school and never left. He is committed to protecting, preserving, and restoring western ecosystems. Philip studied ecology at the University of Montana as an undergraduate. He received a fellowship from the Inland Northwest Research Alliance’s Subsurface Science Program to attend graduate school. In that program, he received training from professors all over the northwest in soil science and restoration. Philip earned a Ph.D. in Microbiology in 2006 for a dissertation on the relationship between mine waste contamination and ecosystem functioning in the Clark Fork River Valley upstream of Missoula. As a graduate student, Philip also published on the influence of management practices on forest soils, factors allowing for the spread of invasive weeds in grasslands, and nutrient flow between rivers and floodplain forests.
After graduate school Philip became an assistant professor in the Division of Biological Sciences at the University of Montana where he continued research on ecosystem processes. He also started a consulting company that sought to apply the best ecosystem research to restoration practice and to monitor restoration projects for the purpose of advancing our knowledge of ecosystem function. Philip’s work was supported by the philanthropy of the owner of a conservation property in the Swan Valley, who in 2009 purchased the Ranch and expanded their conservation goals. This brought about a unique opportunity for Philip; he left teaching to manage these conservation properties full time and now oversees the operations and management of more than 8,500 acres of conservation property in Western Montana.
Academia aside, Philip believes that the patient observation of nature is the most valuable tool a scientist and restoration practitioner can develop. So, in his hours off you will find him with his family fishing, hunting, hiking, or maybe in the river flipping rocks to see what’s underneath.
Photo: Alan Ramsey
Eric “Kerr” Rasmussen, Avian Science, received a B.S. in Resource Conservation from the University of Montana in 2000, and soon after volunteered for his first bird research job in the arctic tundra of Alaska. Afterwards he worked for nine years, mostly in western Montana, on bird-related research projects for the U.S. Forest Service.
In 2010, Eric was hired by MPG Ranch as the Bird Research Technician and now conducts breeding bird surveys, raptor migration surveys, and winter bird surveys, as well as participating in other ranch projects such as owl and raptor banding and community field trips. In his free time, Eric enjoys searching for wild mushrooms, playing ultimate Frisbee, and backcountry skiing.
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Matthew Schertz, Ed.D. Philosopher, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Montana. He is a philosopher of education by training and studies empathy, the history of moral education and the Philosophy for Children program. He has published in numerous journals including Gender and Education, The Journal of Moral Education, Studies in Philosophy and Education, Inquiry, and Analytic Teaching.
Matthew has a variety of interests to help stave off personal entropy including herpetology, archeology and South Indian classical music. He is grateful for the opportunity to balance his life in the academy with his work at MPG ranch. On sunny, warm days one can often spot him scanning the ground for elusive, cold-blooded beings.
Photo Alan Ramsey
Bob Schroeder, Advice and Consultation, received a B.S. in Animal Sciences from Montana State University in Bozeman, MT in 1975. Following school, he owned and operated the Schroeder Brothers Ranch with his brother until 2007. He held various positions for the Missoula Conservation District and served on the Missoula Open Lands Citizen Advisory Committee during these years and served as the state president of the Montana Association of Conservation Districts from 1988 to 1992. From 2002 through 2010 Bob served as a local advisor to the Northwest Farm Credit system.
Currently Bob provides historical, local and agricultural consultation for the MPG Ranch. In his spare time, Bob enjoys fishing, skiing, and time with his family.
Photo: Alan Ramsey
Lauren Stoffel, Restoration and Ecology Research, received her B.S. in biology with an emphasis in ecology from the University of Montana, Missoula. As a student she gained experience in the field, participating in ecological research ranging from tracking Clark’s nutcrackers and monitoring bird behavior to climbing to the tops of whitebark pine trees to gather pinecones for analysis. After graduating, Lauren worked as a lab and field technician for professors in the Division of Biological Sciences at the University of Montana.
Lauren is a restoration research assistant at MPG Ranch. Her current focus is on experiments to reestablish native plants at the Ranch.
Photo: Alan Ramsey
Kate Stone, M.S. Avian Scientist, graduated from Middlebury College with a B.A. in Environmental Studies and Conservation Biology in 2000. She pursued a M.S. in Forestry at the University of Montana where her thesis focused on the habitat associations of snowshoe hares on U.S. National Forest land in Western Montana. After completing her M.S. degree in 2003, Kate alternated between various field biology jobs in the summer and writing for the U.S. Forest Service in the winter. Her fieldwork included projects on small mammal response to weed invasions, the response of bird communities to bark beetle outbreaks and targeted surveys for species of concern like the black-backed woodpecker and the Northern goshawk. Writing topics ranged from the ecology and management of western larch to the impacts of fuels reduction on riparian areas. .
Kate coordinates bird-related research at the MPG Ranch. She is involved in both original research and facilitating the use of the Ranch as a study site for outside researchers. Additionally, Kate is the field trip coordinator and website manager for the Bitterroot Audubon Society. She also enjoys gardening and biking in her spare time.
Photo: Alan Ramsey
Rebecca Durham, Botanist, graduated with a BA in Biology from Colby College in 1997, and earned a MS in Botany from Oregon State University in 2005. Her thesis work investigated post-fire vegetation succession in the Bob Marshall Wilderness of Montana. She has gained experience in botany and biology throughout the west working for the Forest Service, universities, consulting firms, and non-profits performing restoration and vegetation surveys for research and conservation. She has also worked in molecular biology labs as well as taught college biology lab and environmental education to children.
Rebecca works as a botanist for MPG Ranch. She performs vegetation surveys throughout the ranch and assists with habitat management planning and maintaining the plant database. In addition to admiring plants, she enjoys gardening, poetry, motherhood, and recreating under the big sky.