Melanie Smith

Melanie Smith has extensive experience in the field of environmental conservation and ecology. Melanie began their career as a Student Researcher at the Alaska Studies Program, where they conducted extensive research on the natural history of Glacier Bay and Southeast Alaska. Following this, they worked as a Biological Science Technician at the USFS Prescott National Forest and as a Public Comments Coordinator for Friends of the Missouri Breaks Monument.

In 2003, Melanie joined the Ecosystem Research Group as a GIS Director & Environmental Scientist. Melanie played a significant role in conducting environmental research, spatial analysis, landscape modeling, and writing as part of a team of environmental scientists. Their work contributed to the development of Senator Tester's Forest Jobs and Recreation Act.

From 2007 to 2008, Melanie worked as the Proprietor and Spatial Ecologist at SustainNorth, focusing on ecology, conservation, and mapping. Melanie then joined Audubon Alaska as a Spatial Ecologist, where they worked on geospatial analysis and wildlife ecology for various initiatives, including the protection of key bird and mammal habitat in the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska (NPRA).

In 2013, Melanie was promoted to Director of Conservation Science at Audubon Alaska, where they directed the organization's science programs in Southeast Alaska, Arctic land & marine, and Important Bird Areas. Their work in this role played a significant role in permanently protecting millions of acres in the Arctic Ocean from offshore drilling, establishing internationally recognized areas off-limits from vessel traffic, and reducing old-growth logging in the Tongass National Forest.

Melanie's most recent role was as the Program Director of Bird Migration Explorer at the National Audubon Society, a major interactive geospatial digital product. In this role, they collaborated with major bird science and conservation organizations to visualize and synthesize migration patterns, hemispheric connections, and conservation challenges across the Americas. This work engaged the public and informed the conservation needs of migratory birds.

Throughout their career, Melanie has demonstrated a strong passion for environmental conservation and has made significant contributions to various conservation initiatives and policy development.

Melanie Smith has a diverse education history. Melanie first attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College from 1995 to 1998, where they studied computer science. Afterwards, they enrolled at Prescott College from 1999 to 2001 and obtained their Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies. Later, Melanie went on to the University of Montana from 2004 to 2007, where they pursued a Master of Arts degree in Geography. In 2013, they attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks and completed a certificate program in Permaculture Design. Additionally, during the same period, they also earned an Occupational Endorsement in Sustainable Energy from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.