Amber Halstead
• 941.234.2458
Career Interests:Apply my background in environmental science and geology with my knowledge of relevant policy to help coastal communities build resiliency through natural hazard and climate change preparedness, mitigation, and adaptation.
Education
Master of Environmental Management, Coastal Environmental Management, May2018
Duke University, Nicholas School of the Environment, Durham, NC
Certificates in Geospatial Analysis and Community-Based Environmental Management
Master’s Project: Assessing and Communicating Flood Risk in Currituck County in Partnership with The Nature Conservancy. Lead community meetings to assess perceived flood risk in the county and developed flood maps from the local knowledge of meeting participants to better understand the flooding in the region. This information was shared with county officials for rezoning projects and the development if a flood risk communication plan.
Leadership Positions:Duke Chapter of The Coastal Society,Treasurer; Duke Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, Secretary
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science,cum laude, May 2016
Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Research:Analyzed sand samples from before and after beach remediation products at Phipps Ocean Park to determine if the change in thermal quality of sand would have an impact on the sex ratio of the clutches of loggerhead turtles nesting on Florida’s beaches
Experience
Science and Policy Fellow, Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines, Cullowhee, NC
Assisted in the development of a national database of beach nourishment events for the US Geological Survey. Digitized shorelines in ArcGIS for a National Park Service (NPS) study on hazards confronting coastal parks. Attended NPS climate preparedness meetings and educated park employees on the results of our hazards study. (Summer 2017)
Policy Intern, Community Food Strategies, Durham, NC
Amended political action plan that would develop conservation funds to support farmers across North Carolina. Developed policy changes to legalize open-air fish markets in non-coastal North Carolinian counties. Drafted two political action campaigns to increase food security and improve food economies across North Carolina (Spring 2017)
Lab Assistant, Duke University Bernhardt Lab, Durham, NC
Studied the effects of salt water intrusion on the North Carolina Coastal Plain. Analyzed soil samples to determine bulk density, pH, grain size, microbial content, and other baseline parameters for the field study. Utilized a LI-COR machine to measure CO2 flux of soil samples. (Fall 2016-Spring 2017)
Field Research Assistant, Fuentes Lab at Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
Determined the baseline sea turtle population for the North-East Gulf of Mexico through 126 hours of coastline patrols. Inserted flipper and PITT tags, took measurements, and biopsied 70 sea turtles. (Summer 2016)
Legislative Intern, Surfrider Foundation, Tallahassee, FL
Crafted campaign plan for extension of drilling moratorium in Eastern Gulf of Mexico. Secured 12 resolutions of support for drilling moratorium from local governments. Drafted sign on letter for regulation of smoking bill. Lobbied in the Florida House and Senate for three environmental bills. (Spring 2016)
Bear Management Intern, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Tallahassee, FL
Developed Florida visitor guides on Bear Wise practices. Conducted surveys with members of the public regarding their bear interactions and logged this data in Excel. Led 12 community outreach events to educate approximately 1000 people on Florida black bears. Amended maps of the six different bear management units using ArcGIS. (Fall 2015)
Skills
ArcGIS, Python, R, MS Office Suite, Social Science Surveys Analysis, Teamwork, Adaptability