Northern Rockies Chapter Advisory Committee
The Northern Rockies Chapter Advisory Committee is composed of individuals from the community who are committed to engaging volunteers in the restoration of public lands. They have a a variety of experiences to help direct the activities of chapter.
Committee Member Biographies
Beverly Dupree
Beverly Dupree is Policy and Field Studies Director for the Great Burn Study Group, a national forest conservation non-profit based in Missoula. She received a B. A. in History from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and an M.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana. She has over twenty years of experience working for conservation and environmental education nonprofits in the western U.S. and abroad. In January 2006, Beverly was selected as a partner in Earth Care Connection's National Mentoring Partnership for Conservation Leadership program. She received the Montana Wilderness Association’s Brass Lantern award in 2008. Beverly is Chair of the Westside Working Group of the Lolo Restoration Committee.
Brian Kerns
Brian Kerns is a researcher at the Applied Alternative Energy Technologies lab at The University of Montana.
He has done research on the feasibility of wind energy in Missoula and is currently conducting a biomass gasification demonstration project in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service. He received his Masters of Science degree from Northwestern University and his BS from Penn State, and is a
registered professional engineer who’s worked in the energy industry for over 25 years. Brian volunteers his time on our restoration projects and is a crew leader.
Pamela Lovely
Pamela Lovely earned her BA in Geography from the University of Montana and worked for several years as a cartographer for the US Geological Survey in Denver. She earned a Master's Degree in Environmental Leadership from the Naropa Universtiy where her thesis topic was a Restoration Volunteer's Guide to the Natural History of the Missoula Valley. While in Boulder, CO completing her Master's Degree, Pamela volunteered for WRV as a crew leader, and Assistant Project Manager. She is excited to bring her experience there to the chapter in Missoula.
Marilyn Marler
Marilyn Marler is a Natural Areas Specialist for the University of Montana. She has spent over ten years in Missoula organizing people to combat noxious weeds and restore natural areas. Marilyn is a Board Member on the Montana Natural History Center, where she has been instrumental in maintaining a native plant demonstration garden. Marilyn is also on the Missoula City Council.
Peter Nielsen
Peter Nielsen is Environmental Health Supervisor for the Missoula City-County Health Department. He received his Master of Science degree in Environmental Science from the University of Montana in 1987. He has been with the City-County Health Department for 18 years, where he has leadership responsibilities for the Missoula Valley Water Quality District. Mr. Nielsen represents Missoula local government on matters related to the Milltown Reservoir and other Clark Fork River Basin Superfund sites. He has been involved professionally in the Clark Fork Superfund sites since 1983. Mr. Nielsen was the Director of the Clark Fork Coalition in the mid-1980’s.
Steve Roys
Steve Roys retired to Missoula, MT after managing manufacturing companies in the Cleveland, OH area for 40 years. While in Ohio, Steve volunteered with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park performing trail work such as trail reroutes, water control, installing stairs, and bridge building. Steve regularly lends his expertise in trails to the chapter on projects. In addition, Steve currently volunteers with the Watershed Education Network monitoring stream health and the Rattlesnake Creek Watershed Group to remove invasive species from Bugbee Nature Preserve.
Morgan Valliant
Morgan Valliant is the Conservation Lands Manager for the City of Missoula. He manages several thousand acres for the city where he directs management issues related to managing properties located on the urban natural area interface. Morgan received his Master's Degree from Washington State University.
Heather Whitely
Heather Whitely is a Project Manager for the Watershed division of Trout Unlimited (TU). Her work involves the restoration of riparian areas damaged by mining and logging activity in Western Montana. Prior to working for TU Heather worked for the University of Montana Natural Areas, the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and presently serves on the Rattlesnake Creek Watershed Group board. Heather has experience in volunteer coordination, planning projects, and fundraising.
Heather graduated from Colorado State University with a BS in Natural Resource Management and obtained an Academic Certificate of Restoration Ecology from the University of Idaho. In addition to her professional career in environmental restoration Heather is passionate about serving her community and engaging others in the process.
