Amber Kleiman, MS Student

Amber Kleiman, MS Candidate
Conservation Biology
Information Coordinator
Email Amber

Research Interests

I have two main interests within the conservation field. The first is the socio-ecological factors determining the movement patterns and habitat use of elephants in corridors. The second is the adaptability of primates to live in fragmented habitat. Both of these interests stem from my desire to learn more about human – wildlife conflict so that I may make conservation recommendations for the long term survival of both species.

My true passion is research, and I hope to create an exciting career conducting field research within Africa. I do have a strong commitment to promoting the education and financial sustainability of local people, and I foresee my work in the environmental field intertwining with advocacy and humanitarian efforts.

Education

Antioch University New England, Keene NH
MS Candidate Conservation Biology
August 2010 – present

University of Redlands, California
BA Environmental Studies
August 2002 – May 2006

Work Experience

Information Coordinator, Center for Tropical Ecology and Conservation
August 2010-present
Antioch University New England, Keene, New Hampshire

  • Maintain and update website with practica and research opportunities, funding resources and current events
  • Sustain annual student research scholarships through fundraising efforts
  • Manage volunteers and facilitate membership meetings

Expedition Leader, World Challenge Expeditions
Summer 2008, 2010
New England, Peru and India

  • Oversee the health and safety of U.S. high school students while completing a 4 week trip abroad
  • Facilitate a 3 day outdoor skills training workshop with groups of 8-15 students and 1-3 adults

Program Manager, Environmental and Science Education
Jan. 2008 – Mar. 2010
Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts

  • Advised community partners on creating science programs, conferences and camps for girls
  • Designed and facilitated engaging and educational programs for girls ages 5-17
  • Managed an annual teen conference for 150 attendees
  • Developed international environmental and service opportunities for individual Girl Scouts

Environmental Discovery Center Director
Jan. 2008 – Jun. 2009

  • Created curricula and exhibits for a hands-on educational center
  • Managed yearly budget

Year-Round Program Specialist and Group Leader
Jun. 2006 – Dec. 2007
Ramapo for Children, Rhinebeck, New York

  • Planned, coordinated and scheduled team building and outdoor retreats
  • Designed and facilitated outdoor skills curricula for adults and students

Outdoor Trip Coordinator and AmeriCorps Member
Apr. 2007 – Aug. 2007

  • Developed outdoor adventure programs for special needs children ages 4 – 17
  • Managed thirty-six staff in the facilitation of outdoor and adventure curricula

Adventure Counselor
Jun. 2006 – Aug. 2006
Facilitated environmental hikes for inner city youth

Wilderness Instructor/Naturalist
Jan. 2007 – Mar. 2007
Camp Bob Cooper, Summerton, South Carolina

  • Taught classes on water, forestry, wildlife, raptors and soil

Environmental Law Research Assistant
Sep. 2004 – Jan. 2005
University of Redlands, Redlands, California

  • Read and critiqued journals on sustainability and environmental economics
  • Edited and revised papers prior to submission for publication
  • Aided in the research of proposed paper topics

Field Experience

Wildlife Management of African Animals
Jan. 2005 – May 2005
School for Field Studies, Kenya, East Africa

  • Analyzed human population dynamics and their implications on natural resource utilization and availability within, Kajiado District, Kenya
  • Collected data on the foraging behavior of the African elephant (Loxodaonta africana) and the social organization of the black backed jackal (Canis mesomelas)
  • Performed population surveys of mammals within the boundaries of Amboseli, Tsavo East, Nairobi National Park and Masai Mara National Reserve

Biology and Wildlife Research Assistant
Jun. 2004 – Aug. 2004
US Fish & Wildlife, Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Indiahoma, Oklahoma

  • Conducted vegetation surveys in areas densely populated by the American bison (Bison bison) to determine non-migratory impacts on small grasses
  • Utilized Geographical Information Systems to map locations of bison and the black capped viero (Vireo atricapilla) to discover affects of decreased migration patterns
  • Coordinated the relocation of a blacktail prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colony

Ecology of Australia and New Zealand Field Course
May 2004 – Jun. 2004

University of Redlands, Australia and New Zealand

  • Collected and presented data on the kea (Nestor notabilis)
  • Reviewed scientific articles on the impact of invasive species on local flightless bird species

Primate Behavior and Field Research Course
Jun. 2003 – Jul. 2003
El Zota Research Station, Costa Rica

  • Conducted a personal research project on the effects of deforestation on population dynamics of Costa Rican neotropical primates: Cebus capucinus, Alouatta caraya and Ateles paniscus
  • Performed transect walks to asses primate populations through segmented areas of the forest
  • Studied field research techniques and methods of statistical analysis

Internships

Environmental Research Associate Internship
Jan. 2010 – Jun. 2010
Earthwatch Institute, Maynard, Massachusetts

  • Assessed the impacts of field-based research projects on their local ecological systems as measured by Earthwatch outcomes
  • Presented potential proposals to Earthwatch Staff
  • Represented Earthwatch at community lectures and events

Marine Mammal Behavior Internship
Sep. 2006 – Oct. 2006 Sea Life Park, Honolulu, Hawaii

  • Assisted trainers in training, husbandry, and interactive sessions with dolphins and sea lions
  • Performed daily training workshops and educational presentations with humboldt penguins

Invited Presentations

Engaging Girls in Science, invited lecturer, National Girls Collaborative Project New England Kick – Off event, 2008. University of New Hampshire, Manchester.
Designing Inclusive Environmental Adventure Activities, invited presentation, Ramapo for Children New Counselor Training Week, 2007. Rhinebck, New York.

Service Experience

AmeriCorps Member, Ramapo for Children, April 2007-September 2007
Student Conservation Association, AmeriCorps, Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, June 2004-August 2004

Skills and Certifications

Working knowledge of Geographical Information Systems and ArcMap
Wilderness First Aid, certified April 2010
First Aid and CPR, certified April 2010

Membership in Professional Societies

Center for Tropical Ecology and Conservation (CTEC), Antioch University New England