Daniel Riley Rackliffe, Aquatic ecologist

About

Accomplished ecologist and bilingual communicator of conservation values to large and small groups, from elementary school students to college students. Research experience with plants, amphibians, fishes, and insects in remote backcountry areas, urban streams, agricultural landscapes, and in biological laboratories. Experienced at leading teams of researchers to collect, record, and analyze biological data for use in reports and publications and at guiding teams of teaching assistants in large-scale undergraduate courses. Skilled teacher and designer of college-level course content for general biology and wildlife related topics in labs, lecture halls, and online environments

Roles

Mar 2024–Feb 2025

Former role

Aquatic Ecologist

National Park Service (NPS), Department of the Interior

Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences

Coordinated recreational water quality monitoring across 150,000 acres of the nation’s largest reservoir, focusing on high use areas like swim beaches and hot springs.
Oversight for the aquatic invasive species program in the effort to contain quagga mussels and prevent the introduction of additional species.
Subject matter expert for NEPA compliance, water quality issues, and fisheries management
Monitored and advised public messaging for hazardous algae blooms
Coordinated efforts and projects with partnering federal and state agencies, private industries, non-profits, universities, and volunteers.
Supervised teams of technicians, interns, and volunteers in collecting data and carrying out projects around the park.