Photo: Jeremy Roberts, Conservation Media
Science Webinars
Our Science to Solutions: For Western Working Lands Seminar Series delivers the latest WLFW science and conservation solutions in an hour-long format. Catch them live or watch on demand below.
Seminar Description: Conifer encroachment is one of the leading drivers of rangeland degradation and ecosystem change across western working lands. This Science to Solutions Seminar will explore the ecological impacts of conifer expansion in the sagebrush biome and the science-informed conservation strategies Working Lands for Wildlife promotes. Participants will also receive an overview of available planning tools, resources, and partnership opportunities that support proactive, landscape-scale conservation and on-the-ground implementation.
Presenters: Shea Coons and Derek Tilley
Shea Coons is the Outreach Scientist for Working Lands for Wildlife where she translates science into on-the-ground applications. Her work centers on preserving Montana’s ranching legacy and rangeland health by providing geospatial and technical assistance to partners seeking to address conifer encroachment across Montana. Specific outreach efforts include educational resources and assessments that highlight local and regional impacts to forage production and water resources. Shea holds a Master’s degree in Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana and has a diverse research background in wetland dynamics and avian ecology.
Derek Tilley, PhD., is the Sagebrush Technology Transfer Specialist with the Working Lands For Wildlife team at the University of Montana. His work focuses on the proactive conservation and restoration of sagebrush ecosystems, with an emphasis on addressing invasive annual grasses, woodland expansion, and mesic resource degradation. He previously spent more than 20 years with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Aberdeen Plant Materials Center.