Staff
Our staff has a wide range of professional experience, including bird conservation science, spatial ecology, habitat delivery, policy, strategic planning and communications, range management, hydrogeology, and contract management.
The IWJV staff works with a diversity of organizations, which include state and federal wildlife agencies, non-profit organizations, private landowners and corporations, among others. Each of our team members is dedicated to the conservation of priority bird habitats through partnership-driven, science-based projects and programs. We bring people and organizations together to leverage technical and financial resources, building our collective capacity to achieve conservation at meaningful scales.
Learn more about our staff and how we can work with you.

Dave Smith
IWJV Coordinator

Kasey Bader
Operations Specialist

Ed Contreras
SONEC Conservation Delivery Coordinator

Tina Dennison
Initiative Support and Project Coordinator

Patrick Donnelly
Spatial Ecologist

Emily Downing
Water 4 Communications Specialist

Erica Hansen
Water 4 Coordinator
Erica joined the IWJV team in May of 2022. In her role as Water 4 Coordinator, she supports the conservation of wetlands, working wet meadows, and other water resources in ways that benefit both people and wildlife. She is passionate about developing strong partnerships that result in mutually-beneficial conservation outcomes. Her career is rooted in the Intermountain West, where she has developed a deep appreciation for open spaces, clean water, and the communities that steward them. Before joining the IWJV, Erica worked as the Land Protection Specialist and Staff Biologist for the Jackson Hole Land Trust. During that time, she had the privilege of partnering with landowners to protect working lands across northwest Wyoming. She holds a B.S. in Zoology with Honors from Colorado State University, and an M.S. in Wildlife Biology from Utah State University. When she’s not at work, you can find her skiing, birding, trail running, and spending time in the garden or out on the river. Erica currently works from her home office in Victor, Idaho.

Mandi Hirsch
Sagebrush Conservation Coordinator

Brian McDonald
Operations & Administration Manager

Megan McGrath
Sagebrush Communications Specialist
