Management Assistant
Resume:
David S. Gilligan
P.O.Box ***
Craftsbury Common, VT 05827
*********@***************.***
Education
Residency: The Center for Northern Studies (2005-2006)
Research in circumpolar studies, including indigenous cultures, flora and fauna, and
Quaternary paleohistory of the Circumpolar North. Specific projects included the
origins and evolution of North American canoes and kayaks, Beringian
paleoenvironments and migrations, natural history of the North Woods region, and
tundra ecology studies in the Brooks Range, Alaska and Newfoundland-Labrador.
M .A. Natural History and Ecology (1999), Prescott College
Field-based research in alpine ecology and mountain geomorphology, focusing on
the high mountain environments of the Sierra Nevada, CA. Specific graduate-level
course work included Alpine Ecology, Alpine biogeography, Montane Forest
Ecology, Mountain Geomorphology, Geologic Evolution of the North American
Cordillera, Geology of the Eastern Sierra Nevada, Mountain Weather and Climate,
Nature Writing, and Philosophies of Nature.
B .A. Philosophy and Religion; Natural History (1995), Prescott College
Double major. Studies in both western and eastern philosophy and spirituality,
world religions, ethics, and nature philosophy. Field-based studies in natural history
and ecology, focusing on the Southwest and Californian mountain environments.
Work Experience
Faculty in Natural History and Ecology (2006-2008), Sterling College
(tenure-track equivalent) Instructor for both field and classroom-based courses including
Natural History of the North Woods, Nature Philosophy, Geology, Ecology, Tundra
and Taiga Ecology, Marine Natural History, Vertebrate Natural History, and Spring
Flora. Service on curriculum and faculty search committees, among others.
Faculty in Adventure Education (2002-2005), Prescott College
(tenure-track equivalent) Instructor for both classroom and field-based courses (up to
70 days in length) including Expedition Skills (land and water-based), Backcountry
Skiing, Sea Kayaking and Marine Natural History, and Explorers and Geographers.
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Service on steering and academic standards committees, among others.
Visiting Instructor in Environmental Studies (1998-2002), Prescott College
Instructor for both field and classroom-based courses in Philosophies of Interpretive
Naturalists, Natural History and Ecology of the Southwest, Natural History and
Ecology of the Sierra Nevada, Alpine Ecology, and Ecology.
Wilderness Program Director (1994-1998), OMNI Wilderness Explorations
Director and instructor for New England-based expedition-style wilderness and
environmental education program. The program s areas of focus included nature
philosophy, natural history, environmental awareness, land and water-based
expeditionary skills and leadership, and group dynamics.
Teacher/Naturalist (1997), Mendocino Woodlands Outdoor Science School
Teacher for California-based Mendocino Woodlands, in the heart of redwood
country. Responsibilities included curriculum design and instruction for programs
on forest ecology, stream ecology, intertidal ecology, ropes course facilitation, and
evening activities.
Field Assistant (1996), Sierra Institute
Assistant instructor for Sierra Institute s Mountains of California field quarter,
focusing on natural history, ecology, and wilderness education. Responsibilities
included assisting with logistics, planning and leading lectures and activities, and
evaluating students.
Full-Service Hut Crew (1995), Appalachian Mountain Club
Co-management of backcountry facility in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Responsibilities included packing in and out of supplies, ordering and receiving,
evening natural history presentations, maintenance, cooking, and search and
rescue.
Publications and Presentations
B OOKS
This Land of Many Waters: Exploring the Essence of North American Canoe Country
(current project). This Land of Many Waters explores the relationship between
landscape and culture in North American canoe country. It is a literary and
philosophical exploration of cultural and natural history, told through narratives
from three expeditions into the heart of canoe country
Rise of the Range of Light:The Untold Story of the Mountains of California
2008. Spotted Dog Press (In press), (250pp.). Rise of the Range of Light
interbraids philosophically-charged personal narrative and interpretive naturalist
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writing to tell the story of the evolution of the mountains of California.
In the Years of the Mountains
2006. Thunders Mouth Press, New York. (315 pp.) In the Years of the Mountains
uses engaging travel writing style, integrating mountain ecology and geomorphology
with personal exploration of the Swiss Alps, the Nepal Himalaya, the Southern Alps
of New Zealand, and the North American Cordillera
The Secret Sierra: the Alpine World Above the Trees. 2000. Spotted Dog
Press, Bishop, CA (288 pp.) The Secret Sierra interbraids personal narrative
and interpretive science writing to explore the physical geography and alpine
ecology of the Sierra Nevada, California.
ARTICLES (in part)
Friluftsliv in America. 2007. In Nature First: Outdoor Life the Friluftsliv Way. Bob Henderson
(Ed.). Natural Heritage Books, Toronto. Friluftsliv in North America explores the
relevance of Norwegian nature philosophy to American nature philosophy.
Life on the Rise. 2005. In Teachable Moments: Essays in Experiential Education. Robert
Johnson. Life on the Rise is an essay about backcountry experiential education
A Flash in the Pan. 2001. Mountain Gazette: Montezuma, CO. A Flash in the Pan is a
mountaineering narrative exploring the relationship between big bang theory and
the evolution of landscapes and species.
P ROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS ( in part)
Friluftsliv in America: Norwegian Nature Philosophy and Outdoor Education 2008.
Association for Experiential Education Northeast Regional Conference,
Craftsbury Seminar Series
M ountains of the World: The Nepal Himalaya. 2004-5. The Appalachian Mountain
Club. The Mono Lake Committee, The Sierra Club, Prescott Geographic
Society, Sterling College, among others
M ountains of the World: The Swiss Alps. 2002-5. The Appalachian Mountain Club.
The Mono Lake Committee, The Sierra Club, Prescott Geographic Society, Sterling
College, among others
High Mountain Environments. 2002-5. University of Maine at Farmington,
Prescott College Master of Arts Colloquium.
G eographic Explorations of Scotland s Highlands and Islands. 2000-5. Prescott
Geographic Society.
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The Mountains of California. 1999/2000. Prescott Geographic Society, Master of Arts
Colloquium.
The Nature of Nature: Human Perspectives on the Natural World from the
Paleolithic to the Present. 1999/2000/2001. Prescott Ecopsychology
Conference.
.
Rise of the Range of Light: Geologic Evolution of the Sierra Nevada. 1998.
Prescott College Master of Arts Program Colloquium.
International Travel, Study and Research
S cotland (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005): Backcountry travel and mountaineering.
Natural and cultural history and mytho-poetic landscapes. Western Highlands and Outer
Hebrides.
N orway (2001, 2003): Backcountry travel, mountaineering, sailing. Natural and cultural
history and mytho-poetic landscapes. Western Fjord country and Jotunheimen region.
Ireland (2000): Cultural history of Celtic Europe. Eastern and southwestern Ireland.
New Zealand (2002): Mountaineering and backcountry travel. Natural and cultural
history, alpine ecology, physical geography, Southern Alps, South Island.
Switzerland (2002): Mountaineering and backcountry travel. Natural and cultural history,
alpine ecology, physical geography, Bernese and Pennine Alps.
Nepal (2004): Backcountry travel and mountaineering. Natural and cultural history,
physical geography. Khumbu region.
C anada (2004-2007): Backcountry travel, mountaineering, wilderness canoeing, glacier
travel, etc. Natural and cultural history, alpine and arctic ecology, physical geography,
circumpolar environments, Yukon Territory, Northern British Columbia, Newfoundland-
Labrador.
M exico (2000-2005): Expeditionary sea kayaking. Marine natural history
Domestic Travel, Study and Research
Research in natural history and human-landscape relationships, ecology, and physical
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geography in the following areas of the contiguous United States and Alaska: (west to east)
Brooks Range, Alaska (Gates of the Arctic National Park/Anaktuvuk Pass), North
Cascades National Park, Washington, the Sierra Nevada, CA (all parks and wilderness
areas), Big Sur/Ventana Wilderness, CA, Mount Shasta/Shasta N.F., CA, Death Valley,
CA, Grand Canyon, AZ, San Francisco Peaks/Katchina Peaks Wilderness, AZ, canyons
and uplands of Central Arizona, Grand Staircase-Escalante, UT, Organpipe Cactus
National Monument, AZ, Cochise Stronghold, AZ, Blue Range Primitive Area, AZ, Rocky
Mountain National Park, CO, Teton National Park, WY, Black Hills, SD, Boundary Waters
Canoe Area Wilderness, MN, White Mountain National Forest, NH, Baxter State Park/Mt.
Katahdin, ME, Western Maine Mountains, Allagash, St. John, Penobscot, and St. Croix
Rivers, Maine, Green Mountains, Vermont, Southern Appalachians of Georgia, North
Carolina, and Virginia, Everglades National Park, FL, among others.
Certifications
Wilderness First Responder, 14 years (SOLO, W.M.I.)
Lifeguard Training (American Red Cross)
M aine Trip Leader (Maine Department of Inland Wildlife & Fisheries)
References
T om Fleischner, PhD.
Graduate Advisor & Faculty, Prescott College
***********@********.***
520-***-**** ext. 2219
Skye Leone
Director, Sierra Institute
P avel Cenkl, PhD.
Dean of Academics, Sterling College
******@***************.***
802-***-**** ext. 140
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Expedition and Leadership Experience
1994-2008: Organized and instructed over twenty five wilderness field programs ranging
in length from twenty to seventy days. Organized and implemented over thirty personal
trips and expeditions ranging in length from ten to sixty days.
Backpacking and General Outdoor Skills:
Geographic areas of land-based exploration and trip/course leading include (from
west to east):
Brooks Range, Alaska, Icefield Ranges, Yukon Territory, the Sierra Nevada, CA (all
parks and wilderness areas), Ventana Wilderness, CA, Mount Shasta, CA, Death
Valley, CA, Grand Canyon, AZ, canyons and uplands of Central Arizona, Grand
Staircase-Escalante, UT, Organpipe Cactus National Monument, AZ, Cochise
Stronghold, AZ, Blue Range Primitive Area, AZ, Rocky Mountain National Park, CO,
Teton National Park, WY, Black Hills, SD, White Mountains, NH, Mt. Katahdin, ME,
Western Maine Mountains, Green Mountains, Vermont, Southern Appalachians of
Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia, Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland,
Western Highlands, Scotland, Cairngorms, Scotland, Outer Hebrides, Scotland,
Jotunheimen, Norway, Southern Alps, New Zealand, Bernese and Penine Alps,
Switzerland, Khumbu Himalaya, among other areas.
Backcountry travel and outdoor skills taught include group facilitation and
management, trip planning and emergency evacuation logistics, equipment and
food planning, backcountry first-aid and extended care, orienteering, shelter-building
(including winter survival shelters), firemaking (bow-drill and hand-drill, as well as
modern methods), edible and medicinal plant uses, modern equipment techniques
(stoves, tents, etc.), and mixed terrain travel (see below). Other related skills
include extensive experience teaching nature philosophy, natural history and
ecology, physical geography, and cultural geography.
M ountaineering and Rock Climbing:
Geographic areas of mountaineering and rock climbing include:
Southern Alps of New Zealand (Mt. Aspiring French, Shipowner, and Northwest
Ridges), Bernese Alps (Jungfrau South Ridge), Pennine Alps (Rimpfischorn East
Ridge, Breithorn Ridge), Sierra Nevada, CA (Fishhook Arete, Mt. Russell, 5.9 Grade
III; East Face, Mt. Whitney [Shaky Leg var.], 5.8 Grade III; Swiss Arete, Mt. Sill, 5.6
Grade III, Matthes Crest, 5.6 Grade III, among others) Death Valley, CA (Grapevine
Canyon), Joshua Tree, CA (crags to 5.10), Cochise Stronghold, AZ (Wasteland var.,
5.9+ Grade II; Moby Dick 5.8, Grade II, among others), Granite Mountain, AZ
(Magnolia Thunderpussy, 5.8+, Grade II, Classic, 5.7, Grade II; Coke Bottle, 5.7,
Grade II; Granite Jungle, 5.9, Grade II; Cheiu Hoi, 5.9; Grade II, Chim Chimney, 5.6,
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Grade II; Hassayampa, 5.8-, Grade II; Green Savior, 5.8, Grade II, among others),
Prescott area crags (Sullivan s Canyon, Thumb Butte, Granite Dells, The Promised
Land, etc. crags to 5.10), Jamestown, CO (first ascents), and more.
Additional non-technical ascents (up to class 4 climbing) include ascents of
over 100 Sierra Nevada alpine summits, glacier travel in the Southern Alps of New
Zealand, Khumbu Himalaya, Saint Elias Range, the Alps of Europe, and throughout
the mountains of California, winter ascents of several Sierran peaks, winter ascents
of San Francisco Mountain, AZ, and scores of summits in the Northern
Appalachians, Southern Appalachians, and Western Highlands of Scotland.
Skills include all aspects of multipitch climbing (ie. anchors, belaying, knots,
rappelling, rope management, gear placement, etc.), including leading to a 5.9 (or
conservative 5.8) traditional standard (up to 5.10 modern sport standard).
Additional skills for mixed terrain include proper use of crampons and ice-axes, self
arrest techniques, and roped-team techniques for snow, ice, and glacier travel.
Other related skills include extensive knowledge and experience teaching
geomorphology, plate tectonics and geologic history, rocks and minerals,
glaciology, snow dynamics, and mountain weather and climate.
C anoeing:
Geographic areas of lake and river exploring and trip/course leading include:
Androscoggin River, NH/ME, Saint Croix River, ME, Penobscot River, ME,
Chipetneticook Lakes, ME, Allagash Wilderness Waterway, ME, Kennebec River,
ME, Bois-Brule River, WI, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, MN, Quetico
Provincial Park, Canada, Lake Superior, Missinaibi River, Ont., Verde River, AZ,
Colorado River, AZ, San Juan River, UT, New River Gorge, WV, Greenbrier River,
WV, Shennandoah River, VA, Potomac River, VA, Wekiwa River, FL, among others.
Skills taught include paddling techniques, white water techniques to class III,
river hydrology and fluvial morphology, expedition planning and equipment
management, rescue techniques for flat water and swift water, history and
development of the canoe, and watershed natural history and conservation issues.
I have also built cedar-canvas canoes in the traditional style.
S ea Kayaking:
Geographic areas of saltwater exploration and trip/course leading include:
Acadia National Park, ME, Lake Champlain, VT, Lake Superior, MN/Ont., Coastal
Sonora, Mexico, Baja California, Mexico, St. Anne s archepelego, Sweden,
Everglades National Park, FL, Big Pine Key, FL, U.S. Virgin Islands,
Skills include paddling techniques (to BCU 3 star standard), sea rescues,
oceanography and sea-sense, expedition planning and equipment management,
navigation, history and development of the kayak, and boatbuilding with
wood/fiberglass construction.
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Skiing and Winter Camping:
Geographic areas of backcountry skiing and trip/course leading include:
Sierra Nevada, CA (all parks and wilderness areas), San Francisco Mountain, AZ,
Front Range, CO, Driggs-Teton region of Idaho-Wyoming, and various locations
throughout Northern New England
Skills include ski anatomy, waxing, basic touring techniques, telemark
techniques, avalanche awareness and technical route-finding, avalanche rescue,
winter shelter-building and camping strategies (both traditional and modern), and
history and development of skiing. Additional skills include extensive experience
teaching mountain weather and climate, snow-crystal metamorphosis, atmospheric
dynamics, glaciology, winter plant and animal adaptations, snowmelt dynamics, and
conservation issues in winter environments.
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Contact this candidate