About
The Great Basin Institute is an interdisciplinary field studies organization that promotes environmental research, education, and conservation throughout the West. The Institute advances ecological literacy and habitat restoration through educational outreach and direct service programs.
Jerry Keir is the co-founder and Director of the Great Basin Institute. Born and raised among the tall oaks and open fields of northern Illinois, Jerry migrated south for his formal education, earning a BA at the University of Texas in 1990 and an MA at Southwest Texas University in 1993. An itinerate wanderer, he lived, taught and traveled throughout Japan and Mexico, before returning to the US in 1996 to continue graduate work at the University of Nevada, Reno. While studying experimental field ecology at a Sierra Nevada field station, Jerry met the Institute’s co-founder, Sanjay Pyare, and began developing and implementing environmental field course curricula and service programs for the University, which eventually led to the formation of the Institute.
In 1999, Keir founded the Nevada Conservation Corps, an award winning direct service program funded by AmeriCorps. In 2001, Jerry returned to Mexico to establish an academic field studies program based on issues of cultural ecology along the central pacific coast, the Costalegre. With added Earthwatch Institute funding in 2003, the program now engages internationals from around the world in community-based coastal conservation and restoration, a project which has become the subject of Jerry’s doctoral work. When not running programs or dreaming up new ones, Jerry enjoys exploring the Great Basin and Lake Tahoe region with his spouse, Maria, their two children, Alejandro and Amaya, and their happy yellow lab, Sal.
Matt Johnson started his career with the Nevada Conservation Corps as a crew member beginning in August of 1999. He was stationed at Davis Creek Regional Park where he developed a self-guided interpretive trail for park visitors and worked with several at-risk youth on park improvement projects. He returned as an Assistant Crew Supervisor for the summer of 2003 before assuming the role of NCC Program Director in December of 2006. In this position he is responsible for administering the AmeriCorps grant and improving the experience of corps members. Having grown up in Nevada, Matt appreciates the corps community and the extensive environmental service performed by the organization throughout Nevada. Before taking on this new role with GBI, Matt spent a number of years as an educator and coordinator for several environmental education and youth development programs. He completed a B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Nevada, Reno followed by an M.S. in Environmental Studies at the University of Montana during which he completed an assessment of the U.S. EPA’s environmental education programs. Matt enjoys picking the banjo, creating homemade beverages, cycling, snowboarding, and exploring Nevada’s diverse landscape. He is inspired by his sense of place for the Great Basin and the people who work for environmental and social justice all over the state.
Born in Columbia, MD nearly three decades ago, Chris Warner is the Institute’s Research Associate Coordinator. Having lived through the cold, damp winters and hazy, hot and humid summers of Maryland and Pennsylvania, the sea change of Chris’ life has been relocating to the dry, sunny climate of the Great Basin. Chris earned his BA in Sociology from Villanova University in 1998 and his MA in Environmental Policy from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2005. Before relocating to Reno in 2002, he volunteered for two years as an AmeriCorps VISTA member in Philadelphia, and then completed an 18-month fellowship at the U.S. EPA Chesapeake Bay Program, where he met his long-time girlfriend Bridgette. Chris and Bridgette enjoy traveling, recently taking trips to South Africa (2005) and Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore (2002), but also enjoy the local recreational outlets provided by the inner-mountain west; in particular fishing at Pyramid Lake, skiing and snowshoeing the high Sierra, and hiking in the Great Basin and Mojave deserts. Chris’s role at GBI is to enhance existing research associate positions, while at the same time developing new and interesting research associate opportunities. Working with local, state and federal natural resource agencies, Chris seeks out projects and programs in which young professionals can help agencies meet their missions, while at the same time develop and enhance the skills which will be required from the next generation of green professionals.
Lynn Zimmerman taught and conducted research on animal physiological ecology for 25 years before joining GBI in 2007. In the Research Associate program, Lynn is principally involved in oversight and implementation of projects involving wildlife monitoring and habitat assessment. Her formative years were spent observing local habitats from tree height and roaming the fields and forests of western New York, wanderings that eventually led to the Mojave Desert and studies of the thermal and nutritional ecology of herbivorous reptiles for a Ph.D. in Biology. Lynn’s first experience with hypothermia was on the summit of Long’s Peak in the Colorado Rockies, and brushes with hyperthermia have accompanied reptile sampling in the deserts of southern California and Nevada. She enjoys testing her thermal tolerance limits while backpacking, hiking, snow shoeing, running and biking. Lynn has an abiding fondness and respect for animals, and is happiest when among them in their natural habitats.
Jeff Bryant is a Native Nevadan, raised in the desert town of Hawthorne, and came to the Great Basin Institute in May of 2008 after spending five years in the Lake Tahoe Basin with California State Parks. He completed his B.S. in Secondary Education with a minor in Cultural Anthropology in 2006 at the University of Nevada, Reno. Jeff enjoys traveling and has spent time backpacking through Europe, in Costa Rica learning to surf, and is dedicated to visiting friends in as many U.S. cities as possible. When he’s not serenading his Labrador, Ozzy, with his mediocre guitar skills, you can find him mountain biking in the Sierra Nevada, tubing on the Truckee River, or taking a shot at photography. Since assuming the role of ICVE Program Director, Jeff has found close-knit organization that shares much of his own ideology and is proud to work with a dedicated staff, serving his home State.
The Institute welcomes Michael O’Carroll, CPA, to the central office at UNR. Mike has assumed the position of Financial Manager and has already proven himself invaluable to the fiscal operations of our programs.
Spring 2008, Afton Faillers joined GBI as the new Financial Associate. She works with payroll, credit cards, workman’s comp, payables, and making Mike (Financial Manager) laugh whenever possible. She graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2006 with a degree in Business Management. She also spent a year in Spain as part of her university program. Prior to GBI, Afton worked in management at a food service restaurant all through college. Wanting to use her business degree and work for a non-profit organization, Afton applied for GBI. Afton was born and raised in Reno, Nevada, where she has lived for most of her life. She loves all that Northern Nevada has to offer, but also loves to travel to other countries to experience unique cultures and traditions. Afton tries to spend as much time as she can with her family, friends, her two cats (Kity and Pierre) and her dog (Guss Gus). Afton loves to laugh and truly believes she is the funniest person she knows.
Prior to becoming the Office Manager for GBI, Cydney Giroux worked as an intern with the International Conservation Volunteer Exchange. In December 2008, she graduated with a BA in International Affairs from the University of Nevada, Reno and also completed her AmeriCorps contract. She was born in Seoul, South Korea but lived in Lotus, California for most of her life (before continuing her education at UNR). She worked as a river raft guide, snowboard instructor, and ski/snowboard demo technician before coming to work for GBI. Her hobbies include, snowboarding, rafting, tennis and horseback riding. She also loves to travel and has been fortunate enough to travel throughout Western Europe, Costa Rica, Panama, Morocco, Mexico, and will be going to Peru this summer.
Bridget Walden was born and raised in Reno and is 4th generation Nevadan. After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2004 with a BS in Business Administration, she moved to Seattle for two years to explore new things. While there she survived the wettest month ever recorded and moved back to Reno after realizing how much she missed the sunshine. Bridget came to the Great Basin Institute in October 2008 looking for an opportunity to work in Human Resources and be a part of an organization that aligns with her own interests. She likes to travel and has visited many countries including; Australia, Thailand, Cambodia, Costa Rica and Italy. She also enjoys running, watching 80’s movies, listening to the Counting Crows and eating bananas.
Eric Nejedlo is originally from Concord, California. He attended college at UC Davis and graduated in 2007 with a BS in Civil Engineering. After school, Eric wanted to take some time off, travel and get his hands dirty. This led him to a summer AmeriCorps program based out of Reno, NV, where he immediately fell in love with running a chain saw, Reno and the surrounding area. GBI’s dedication to environmental conservation encouraged him to stay with the organization, where he worked as a NCC Crew Supervisor for a year. He ran a Fuels Reduction Crew in the Tahoe Basin. In the fall of 2008, he was hired as Vehicle and Equipment manager, overseeing the operations and maintenance of GBI’s vehicle fleet, chain saws, and field equipment. When he is not busy servicing transmissions and repairing broken chain saws, Eric enjoys riding his bike, snowboarding, playing guitar and watching movies. He never passes up an opportunity to explore new places, meet new people and eat unique cuisines. One day he would love to buy a boat and sail around the world.
Nick Brancato (from Marietta, OH) first worked for the Nevada Conservation Corps as an Americorps volunteer during the summer session in 2005. He attained a B.S. in Geology from Northland College, an environmental liberal arts school in northern Wisconsin, in 2007. The environmental emphasis he received through his education inspired him to become more involved in the Conservation movement. He returned for a year-long Americorps volunteer position with NCC in May, 2008. After finishing his year-long term, he remained on as a staff supervisor for one of NCC’s forestry crews. Upon finishing the summer 2009 field season, he transitioned into the Crew Coordinator role. He has a deep passion for conservation work, and a great appreciation and respect for those who offer their time and energy in helping to conserve and protect our natural lands and resources both here in Nevada and throughout the world.
Kate Naumann is originally from Green Bay, Wisconsin, but has called the West her home for the past four years. This is the fourth conservation corps she has worked for. Kate has been a crew leader for Northwest Youth Corps in Idaho and the Southwest Youth Corps in the Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado. She was also the education coordinator for the Youth Conservation Corps in New Mexico. Kate started with GBI in October 2007 as a crew supervisor in Southern Nevada. This past summer she was the trail supervisor in Lake Tahoe. She started as Southern crew coordinator in October, and is anticipating a great year in Southern Nevada.
Amey Esparza has spent most of her life in Las Vegas, a city that she loves. She and her husband, a local journalist and skateboarder, live in a historic downtown neighborhood with their three children and beloved dog, Charleston. Amey obtained her associate’s degree in anthropology from CSN, and spent several months conducting archaeological field research in the Great Basin region. She is now a senior in the public administration program at UNLV. Before joining GBI, Amey worked for the local community foundation in Las Vegas, focusing on grant making and program evaluation. In this role, her interactions with area non-profits led her to dedicate her future to public service.
Kate Bradley is excited to join the GBI team as the Director of Environmental Field Studies and is helping to lead the way at the Galena Creek Visitors Center. Kate is a transplant to Nevada, moving here in 2007. She is familiar with big cold lakes hailing from the Great Lakes region and most recently from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (da UP, eh?). She has always loved the outdoors and has enjoyed backpacking, snowboarding, and biking in the Midwest and West. However, much to her family’s chagrin, the Sierra Nevada Mountains have captured her heart with their incredible rock climbing and skiing opportunities, and she can’t imagine living in the flatlands ever again! When she isn’t exploring the Sierras and Great Basin, Kate tries to see as many new places as possible. Her latest trip took her to Peru for some climbing and attempts at surfing. In her time here, Kate has worked a naturalist for Great Basin Outdoor School, a ski & snowboard instructor at Mt. Rose, and a 4-5-6-7-8 grade teacher (all in one year) at High Desert Montessori in Reno. Kate holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Michigan Technological University, a K-8 teaching certification from Sierra Nevada College, and a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln (go Huskers!). Although Kate spent several years doing research at the university level, she’s psyched to have landed a job that puts her in a position to work with scientists, teachers, kids, and visitors alike in one of the most beautiful places around!
Currently a senior at the University of Nevada, Reno, Stacy Mitchell will be graduating in May of 2010 with a degree in Speech Communication and a minor in Psychology. She enjoys camping, hiking, being outdoors, working out and traveling. After graduation she is interested in traveling around the U.S. and abroad.
We are blessed to have such a gathering of good-spirited, talented folk. Stop by the office and welcome these new faces!
GBI Board of Directors
- William Cathey, PhD, Vice-President of Academic Affairs, UNR
- Michael Collopy, PhD, Director of the Academy for the Environment, UNR
- Glenn Miller, PhD, Center for Environmental Sciences & Engineering, UNR
- Scott Slovic, PhD, Center for Environmental Arts & Humanities, UNR
- Alan Gubanich, PhD, Biology, UNR
- Nancy Markee, PhD, Environmental Resource Science, UNR
- Steve Lafer, PhD, Curriculum and Instruction, UNR
- George Ochs, MS, Washoe County School District
- Sudeep Chandra, PhD, Natural Resource Science
