Dusty

Backpacking in Great Smokey Mountains National ParkHometown: Nashville, Tennessee

Hobbies:

  • Hiking & Backpacking
  • Nordic & Alpine Skiing
  • Canoeing & Kayaing
  • Professional Photography
  • Sketching
  • Web site design, building and maintaining:

Education:

  • David Lipscomb High School
  • Abilene Christian University, Bachelor of Science in Biology (cum laude)
  • currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Resource Recreation Management (Recreation Ecology) from Utah State University

Honors & Awards:

  • Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America
  • Vigil Honor, Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America
  • 2002 State of Tennessee Eagle Scout of the Year
  • Walter R. Courtenay Eagle Scout Award
  • State of Tennessee Award of Merit
  • Abilene Christian University Honors Program - Honors Associate Award
  • Abilene Christian University Servant-Leader Award
  • Certified Texas Master Naturalist
  • Wilderness First Aid Certification

Current Employers:

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska

  • Park Ranger
  • Main Task: An Assessment of the Extent and Condition of Informal Trails in the Atigun George Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
    • Objective 1: Investigate alternative methods for monitoring the number, distribution, and condition of informal (visitor-created) trails within the Atigun George.
    • Objective 2: In consultation with park staff, develop, pilot test, and refine cost-effective and scientifically defensible trail monitoring procedures that are fully integrated with the Arctic Refuge’s Geographic Information System.
    • Objective 3: Prepare a technical report that compiles and presents research results and their management implications.
  • http://arctic.fws.gov/

Department of Environment & Society as well as the Institute for Outdoor Recreation & Tourism, College of Natural Resources, Utah State University, Logan, Utah

  • Full-time Graduate Student
  • Research Assistant
  • Projects:
    • Colorado State-Wide Wilderness Assessment (thesis project)
      • Researcher(s):
        Dusty Vaughn, Dr. David Cole (Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute, USDA Forest Service), and Dr. Christopher A. Monz
      • Summary:
        To facilitate development of a large-scale strategic vision for Colorado wilderness, an assessment is of all Wilderness Areas within the state is being conducted. This will involve conducting research, assessing conditions and compiling data sufficient to describe the current situation and forecast future trends and needs that affect all wilderness lands in Colorado. Much of this will be in the form of maps. The objective of the research described in this program of work is to develop a substantial portion of the information needed for this assessment. Specifically the following five types of information will be compiled and mapped:

        • Maps of desired and/or current Recreational Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) classes,
        • Maps of places that are out of compliance with social or environmental standards and places that have serious system trail problems or problems with user-created trails,
        • Maps of campsites and their condition
        • Maps of recreational visitation, and
        • Maps of the proximity and/or pressure on wilderness posed by ease of access and/or population density.
    • Palmerton Zinc Superfund Site Appalachian Trail Degradation Study
      • Researcher(s):
        Dusty Vaughn, Dr. Jeffrey L. Marion (Virginia Tech) and Dr. Christopher A. Monz
      • Summary:
        This study will determine the biophysical condition of the Appalachian Trail, associated side trails and the trail corridor within a specified area of the Palmerton Zinc Superfund Site. The characteristics of the trail tread and the condition of soil and vegetation in and adjacent to the trail will be assessed using methodologies common to foot trail condition studies. The study will compare conditions in the affected area with control areas of similar topography and trail location characteristics. Visitor use estimates will also be determined on all Superfund Site trails and control area trails included in the study.
  • Department of Environment & Society: www.cnr.usu.edu/envs/
  • Institute for Outdoor Recreation & Tourism: extension.usu.edu/iort/

Past Employers:

  • Green Star Environmental
    • Environmental Scientist and Technician.
    • Collect soil and groundwater samples for laboratory analysis.
    • Write reports including Phase I Environmental Site Assesments.
    • Part-time in-house compliance consultant for Crosstex Energy, the largest natural gas treating company in America. (www.crosstexenergy.com)
    • www.greenstarenvironmental.com
  • Web Integration and Programming Office, Abilene Christian University:
  • American Hiking Society:
    • Trail Programs Intern
    • Assisted with the organization, promotion, management, and evaluation of National Trails Day and the Volunteer Vacations program
    • Worked with the Federal Interagency Council on Trails and the National Trail Training Partnership on trail issues across the country as well as participated federal hearings related to trails.
    • www.americanhiking.org
  • Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship:
    • Recreation Ecology Intern
    • Designed, built, and maintained over 10 miles of trails.
    • Organized and managed volunteer crews.
    • Developed a trail map, hiker registry, and birding checklist.
    • www.brces.org
  • Menu Maker Catering:
  • Fox’s Donut Den:
    • Cashier and cook.
    • Assisted owners’ friend with opening of another donut store.
    • www.foxsdonutden.com
  • Bridal Gallery & Chapel of Franklin:
  • Middle Tennessee Council Scout Shop, Boy Scouts of America:

Leadership Positions:

  • Cub Scout Pack 1, Logan, Utah: 2009-present
  • Texas Master Naturalist - North Texas Chapter: 2006-2008
    • Fundraising and Grant Writing Committee Chair
    • Webmaster & Web Site Committee Chair
    • www.ntmn.org
  • Cub Scout Pack 61, Denton, Texas: 2006
    • Assistant Cubmaster
  • Abilene Christian University Outdoor Club: 2005-present
    • Founder
    • President
    • Treasurer
    • Co-chair of Red Dirt Adventure Challenge
    • Currently serving as Webmaster and Advisor
    • www.acuoutdoorclub.org
  • Service Action Leadership Team (S.A.L.T.): 2003-2006
    • Co-chair
    • Webmaster (former)
    • Treasurer
    • Student Association Representative
    • www.acu.edu/salt
  • Worldwide Witness: 2002

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