Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Websites
Languages
Timeline
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Jesse Lewis

Summary

I'm an environmental professional with an interdisciplinary background and many interests. The connecting thread across all my work is a desire to protect the natural world, educate and innovate ways to live more sustainably. My career has been diverse and taken me around the world. I've been a scientific researcher and taught field studies across the Asia Pacific, North and South America. I've managed biodiversity conservation and forest restoration ventures with nonprofits, and guided sustainable development projects for government agencies. I also have a long history within experiential education and with communications as a writer and photographer. I'm an ideas person, an out of the box thinker and comfortable wearing many hats.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience

Work History

Environmental Specialist

Tasmanian Irrigation
01.2022 - Current
  • In house ecologist helping guide sustainable development of major water delivery projects across Tasmania.
  • Lead and collaborator on a wide range of environmental and sustainability related initiatives, including ecological studies; river health monitoring; nature positive conservation and restoration projects; collaboration with consultants, community and stakeholder groups; and development of sustainability plans

Photographer + Writer

Freelance Creative
01.2010 - Current
  • Established and managed a freelance business, producing high-quality articles and photography for nature and travel publications, websites, and nonprofits.

Project Manager

One Tree Planted; Asia Pacific
01.2020 - 01.2021
  • Project Manager responsible for overseeing tree planting projects and restoration partnerships across Australia and the Asia Pacific
  • Duties included vetting project proposals, managing partner relationships, monitoring progress and working creatively to find solutions to problems while ensuring restoration projects are completed to the highest level

Resident Lecturer + Researcher

The School for Field Studies; Bhutan
01.2018 - 01.2019
  • Resident researcher on field projects focused on the ecology and conservation of Himalayan forests. Collaborator with students, researchers and local organisations such as the Bhutan Ecological Society
  • Responsible for teaching undergraduate courses in Mountain Ecology, Land Use, Natural Resources & Environment and Directed Research

Field Instructor

Where There Be Dragons; Indonesia
01.2017 - 05.2017
  • Co-instructor of experiential, study abroad programs across the Indonesian archipelago focused on the relationship between conservation, community and development
  • Extensive travel, home-stays and language cultural immersion coordinated with local communities and participating students

Field Instructor

Wildlands Studies; Queensland, Australia
05.2016 - 07.2016
  • Co-leader of summer field semester abroad focusing on the conservation and ecology of the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics of northern Australia
  • Served as combination professor, professional guide and liaison between students and local conservation agencies across two world heritage listed biodiversity hotspots

Conservation + Communications Officer

Rainforest Trust; USA
01.2014 - 01.2016
  • Served in a variety of capacities at a rapidly growing conservation non-profit overseeing new conservation projects while serving as a liaison between the conservation and communications departments
  • Provided technical expertise on biodiversity and conservation science; assisted with communications; and environmental outreach

Field Ecology Instructor

UM Biological Station; Michigan, USA
01.2008 - 01.2013
  • Assistant instructor for annual ‘Spring Ecology of the Great Lakes’ program for five years
  • Responsible for organising field trips, leading weekly discussion sections and labs; guiding students through field experiments; and mentoring of student research projects

Co-Founder

Hinoki Travels
01.2021 - Current
  • Founding member of a small experiential travel business focused on small group adventures and retreats
  • Responsible for promoting Hinoki's sustainability practices and commitment to conservation, in addition to designing experiences in several destinations.

Education

Master of Management - International Sustainable Tourism

Monash University
Melbourne, Victoria
01.2021

Master of Science - Conservation Biology

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
01.2009

Bachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies

Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia
01.2006

Languages

Spanish
Professional Working
Indonesian
Elementary

Timeline

Environmental Specialist

Tasmanian Irrigation
01.2022 - Current

Co-Founder

Hinoki Travels
01.2021 - Current

Project Manager

One Tree Planted; Asia Pacific
01.2020 - 01.2021

Resident Lecturer + Researcher

The School for Field Studies; Bhutan
01.2018 - 01.2019

Field Instructor

Where There Be Dragons; Indonesia
01.2017 - 05.2017

Field Instructor

Wildlands Studies; Queensland, Australia
05.2016 - 07.2016

Conservation + Communications Officer

Rainforest Trust; USA
01.2014 - 01.2016

Photographer + Writer

Freelance Creative
01.2010 - Current

Field Ecology Instructor

UM Biological Station; Michigan, USA
01.2008 - 01.2013

Master of Management - International Sustainable Tourism

Monash University

Master of Science - Conservation Biology

University of Michigan

Bachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary Studies

Virginia Tech
Jesse Lewis