Jarod J. Blades
Address: 354 Taylor Ave, Apt 8.
Moscow, Idaho 83843
Country of Citizenship: USA
Cell: 208.310.0450
Email: jblades@uidaho.edu
Education
Overview
PhD Candidate, Natural Resources
Conservation Social Sciences
University of Idaho
Cum GPA: 4.0
Expected Graduation: Summer 2013
Xi Sigma Pi Forestry Honors Society
Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Mr. Blades has over 13 years of combined natural resource and
social science experience in the public, private, and academic
sectors. His professional work experience includes state and federal
natural resource planning, managing interdisciplinary land
management projects, public involvement, science communication,
environmental education, field biological research leadership, data
collection and analysis, and multiple styles of technical writing.
MS Environmental Science
Alaska Pacific University
Graduated Spring 2008, Honors
Cum GPA: 4.0
Work Chronology (duties and projects are in below sections)
BS Biological Environmental
Science
University of Idaho
Graduated Fall 2001, Dean’s List
Key Skills
Natural Resources Social Sciences
Public Involvement and Partnerships
Environmental Education
Natural Resources Planning/NEPA
ESRI Geographic Information Systems
(GIS)/Mapping
Upland/Riparian Ecology
Field Biological Monitoring
Selected Certifications,
Training
Certified Project Manager
Federal Lands URS Group Leader
Interdisciplinary Toolbox (’12)
BLM Planning Nuts and Bolts (‘08)
ArcGIS Adjunct Professor (’07, ‘08)
BLM Multiple Indicator Upland and
Riparian Monitoring and
Lotic/Lentic PFC Monitoring
Biological Assessment Preparation
Training; Idaho Trans. Dept.
Trimble GPS Certification
Research Fellow
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho (GS-12 equivalent)
National Science Foundation IGERT Program and Joint Fire Science
Program
Employment Dates: 8/2010-current (26 hours/week)
Project Manager/Group Leader/Biologist
URS Corporation
Boise, Idaho and Anchorage, Alaska (GS-12 equivalent)
Employment Dates: 03/07/2005 – 07/09/2010 (40+ hours/week)
Adjunct Professor
Alaska Pacific University
Anchorage, Alaska
Course: Introduction to ArcGIS (BS and MS students)
Employment Dates: 09/2007 – 05/2008 (10 hours/week)
Natural Resource Specialist: Upland and Riparian Ecology
Bureau of Land Management and Environmental Careers Org
Owyhee County, Idaho, based in Boise (GS-8 equivalent)
Employment Dates: 04/15/2002-1/15/2005 (40 hours/week)
Biological Technician (Upland Ecology)
Idaho Army National Guard- Environmental Management
Employment Dates: 5/2000-9/2000 and 5/2001-9/2001 (40
hours/week)
Jarod Blades
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Selected Academic Research Projects
Communicating Complex and Controversial Research across Boundaries: Social and Ecological Resilience
of Forests of the Northern Rockies, USA. Ph.D. Candidate, National Science Foundation Fellow – Integrative
Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT).
Mr. Blades serves as the social scientist on this interdisciplinary research team, and has led journal publications and
presentation at international conferences. As an interdisciplinary group of graduate students and faculty, this team
conducted new research focused on understanding and communicating the shifts in forest landscapes due to changing
climate. Mr. Blades research focused on effectively communicating complex information across policymaker-land
manager-scientist boundaries, evaluating the social-ecological sensitivity to local climate change effects in selected forests
of the Northern Rockies, and exploring different modeling and interaction tools for incorporating scientific research into
forest management and policy decisions. Specific questions included: How did workshop participation influence
stakeholder and decision maker understanding and perception of multi-scale climate change effects on forests of the
Northern Rockies? How effective were a) boundary organizations/learning organizations/deliberative workshops, and b)
modeling tools at serving as boundary objects to be used in forest management decisions and communication between
forest stakeholder groups? This project also included curriculum development and presentation to K-12 and college
students at the McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS).
Project website: http://projweb.cals.uidaho.edu/northernrockies/
Public Perceptions of Wildland Fire Smoke: Contrasting Tolerance amongst WUI and Urban
Communities in the Interior West and the South-central United States. Ph.D. Candidate. Joint Fire Science
Program, Grant 10-1-03-2
This study investigated the factors that affect tolerance of smoke from wildland fire and how tolerance differed among
regions, community types, and a variety of other variables. This information will help land managers plan fires that fall
within acceptable tolerances, anticipate public reaction, and develop strategies to communicate with the public. Mr. Blades
is the lead on survey design & data analysis, development of multiple course curriculums, an Rx 410 training module, and
a (co)lead author on journal publications.
Exploring How Deliberation on Scientific Information Shapes Stakeholder Perceptions of Wildland Fire
Smoke and Forest Management. Ph.D. Candidate. JFSP Graduate Research Innovation (GRIN) Grant.
This research represented a unique opportunity for Mr. Blades to complement the two research projects described above
(i.e., public perceptions and tolerance of smoke, and social-ecological resilience in northern Rockies forests) with an
mixed-methods investigation of participatory deliberation, focusing on how stakeholders process and use technical
biophysical and social data related to forest health, fire, and smoke to inform management decisions. Four interactive
workshops were held in northern Rockies areas identified as the most sensitive to climate change effects (Missoula, Boise,
McCall, Grangeville). The theoretical focus was Boundary Organizations/Boundary Objects. Mr. Blades was the lead on
workshop, survey, and interview design. He also led data analysis and is a (co)lead author on journal and agency
publication(s). These data also contributed to curriculum developed for the McCall Outdoor Science School and other
University courses.
A Geospatial Analysis of Breeding Bird Communities in Five Wetland Ecosystems Across the Western
Kenai Peninsula Lowland, Alaska. MS Thesis. EPA Grant # CD-96033501
This project involved a comprehensive GIS spatial analysis of the Kenai Peninsula landscape as it relates to breeding
wetland bird species richness and relative abundance across various wetland types. Avian point counts and vegetative
cover estimation were used for field methods. Additionally this study evaluated relationship of spruce bark beetle and
wildfire on bird species richness and abundance. This project required substantial interaction/coordination with various
agencies, organizations, and Ninilchik Tribal members. Mr. Blades developed the sampling design and field work
protocols, authored progress reports for the Ninilchik Tribe and EPA, and developed EPA safety and contingency plans.
Selected Professional Project Experience
Boardman to Hemingway / Gateway West 500kV Transmission Line Project. Biologist/Planner , (URS
Corporation, ID Power, 2008 – 2010). This project involved the preparation of a third party multi-jurisdictional EIS
for the proposed siting a 260 mile long 500kV transmission line through eastern Oregon and southwestern Idaho. Work
included extensive public participation and outreach (see http://www.boardmantohemingway.com/default.aspx), and
coordination with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, BLM, USFS, and USFWS regarding habitat mapping criteria
and mitigation (e.g., restoration and conservation easements). Mr. Blades was responsible for coordinating the public
involvement plan, biological work plan and execution, and a mitigation strategy for wildlife. A key component of this
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project was coordination and cooperation with a diversity of agency and public interests, while using a variety of
communication techniques and strategies.
Bureau of Land Management, Four Rivers Field Office Resource Management Plan (RMP/EIS). Project
Manager/Biologist (URS Corporation, 2008 – 2010). Resource Management Plan for 800,000 acres of BLM
managed lands in southwestern Idaho. Mr. Blades was the project manager for this project, as well as the principal
investigator/author for fish and wildlife resources, water resources, and special status animals. He managed an
interdisciplinary team from URS and extensively coordinated with the BLM. He was responsible for the first integration
of new nationwide BLM planning and word processing software called ePlanning. He conducted several public meetings
in the region as part of the NEPA process.
China Mountain Wind Power Project, Bureau of Land Management. Environmental Assessment.
Biologist/Planner (URS Corporation, 2008 – 2010). This project involved the preparation of a third party EA for
the proposed siting of meteorological towers on lands under the administration of the BLM in Twin Falls County, Idaho.
Mr. Blades coordinated and authored the EA. Mr. Blades worked with BLM biologists to develop and protocols for sagegrouse monitoring and mitigation (e.g., conservation easements and restoration) within and near the proposed project
area.
Bureau of Land Management, Environmental Consequences Analysis for the Bruneau Planning Area and
Birds of Prey National Conservation Area/RMP/EIS. Biologist (URS Corporation, 2005 – 2008). For these
two EIS documents, Mr. Blades authored the chapters on environmental consequences for fish, wildlife, and special status
animals. Analysis revolved around various threatened and endangered species, including the Idaho springs snail, bald
eagle, sage-grouse, bighorn sheep, Columbia spotted frog, and yellow-billed cuckoo.
Elmore-Ada Water Pipeline Project, environmental feasibility and alternative analysis. SPF Water
Engineering. Deputy Project Manager/Biologist (URS Corporation, 2008). Feasibility study for alternative
surface water supply pipeline to East Boise and Mountain Home. Environmental resources were analyzed,
summarized, and discussed across three alternatives. Mr. Blades authored and coordinated the alternative analysis
feasibility document.
FEMA Hazard Mitigation Technical Assistance Program, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua,
and Suislaw Indians, Hazard Mitigation Plan. Planner, Risk Management (URS Corporation, 2007). Mr.
Blades was author of the tsunami and earthquake sections of the risk assessment, and he peer-reviewed other sections of
the risk assessment. The work included a comprehensive GIS data analysis and professional map production.
FEMA Hazard Mitigation Technical Assistance Program, Lake County, California Repetitive Loss Flood
Mitigation Plan. GIS Specialist (URS Corporation, 2008). Mr. Blades conducted comprehensive GIS data
analysis and professional map production required for this Flood Management Plan. County parcel, flood,
population density, and critical facility information and data were compiled and analyzed in an effort to determine
risk levels.
National Marine Fisheries Service, Spinner Dolphin EIS, Hawaii, Comment Review, Scoping. Biologist
(URS Corporation, 2007). Mr. Blades contributing to extensive comment review and analysis, and provided input
for biological issues to address proposed management measures to limit human interaction with spinner dolphins
throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
Bureau of Land Management, Biological Assessment. Cotterel Mountain Wind Power Facility, Burley,
Idaho. Biologist (URS Corporation, 2006). Mr. Blades compiled and authored this biological assessment, under
senior review, regarding the development of a proposed wind power facility on Cotterel Mountain near Burley, Id.
The Threatened and Endangered species analyzed in the document were the bald eagle and gray wolf.
Bureau of Land Management, Greater Sage Grouse and Raptor Mitigation Plans. Cotterel Mountain Wind
Power Facility, Burley, Idaho. Biologist (URS Corporation, 2006). Mitigation and monitoring that included
annual spring lek counts and winter aerial surveys. Radio-tagging and tracking of grouse captured at the leks in the
spring was planned to provide important documentation of displacement, if any, on sage grouse as a result of the
proposed wind plant. Further, mortality monitoring around each turbine for all avian and bat species was included.
Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines, Comprehensive
Riparian, Aquatic, and Fisheries Analysis, Boise District. Biologist (URS Corporation, 2002 – 2006). Mr.
Blades was responsible for collecting upland, riparian, and fisheries data, and also writing standards and guidelines
reports related to grazing permit renewals in the Lower Snake River District of the BLM. His primary
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responsibilities involved leading a field crew, compiling collected field-monitoring data, and analyzing and preparing
the results. Considerable ArcGIS and GPS software and equipment was utilized for the project. Remote area
navigation, map interpretation, backcountry 4x4 driving, and extensive backcountry camping was common. Survey
types and general responsibilities were: Redband Trout Population Surveys, Lentic/Lotic Proper Functioning
Condition Assessments, Water Quality Monitoring (temperature and bacterial, authored the Water Quality section of
Rangeland Health Assessments), Riparian Stubble Height Monitoring, Browse and Bank Alteration Studies, Riparian
Quantitative Greenline Studies, Upland Vegetation Trend Studies, Sage Grouse Lek and Habitat Surveys
(Breeding/Late Brood Rearing).
National Park Service, Denali National Park- Road Improvement EA, Alaska. Biologist (URS
Corporation, 2006). Mr. blades was responsible for wildlife affected environment, impacts, and cumulative effects
analyses resulting from road improvement projects.
Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Rangeland Health Standards and Guidelines, Boise District.
Biologist (BLM, 2002 – 2005). Mr. Blades was involved with collecting riparian and fisheries data and writing
water quality analysis reports for livestock grazing permit renewals. His primary responsibilities involved leading a
field crew to collect qualitative and quantitative upland/riparian data (rangeland health assessments, proper
functioning condition, multiple indicator monitoring), compiling collected field-monitoring data, then analyzing and
preparing the results. Considerable ArcGIS and GPS software and equipment was utilized for the project. Remote
area navigation, map interpretation, backcountry 4x4 driving, and extensive backcountry camping was common.
Idaho Department of Transportation, Biological Assessment. Snake River Bridge Replacement Project,
United States Highway 95 Spur, Washington County, Idaho and Malheur County, Oregon.
Author/Biologist (URS Corporation, 2005). For this biological assessment Mr. Blades was responsible for
analyzing the impacts on sensitive and endangered species resulting from the removal of the existing structure and
reconstruction of the Snake River Bridge near Weiser, Idaho. Major duties involved interpreting bridge engineering
diagrams and construction protocols for the project, then projecting the potential impacts to primarily Idaho
springsnails and bald eagles.
Land Condition Trend Analysis, Idaho Army National Guard, Orchard Training Area, Boise, Idaho. Field
Biologist (Idaho national Guard, 2001-2002). Mr. Blades worked as a biologist involved in Land Condition Trend
Analysis, NEPA, and ESA data collection for the Environmental Management office of the Idaho Army National
Guard. Collected data was use for NEPA compliance, military impact studies, and overall vegetative trend analysis.
Other responsibilities included plant and mammal transects and population studies, daubenmeyer plots, tracked
vehicle impact studies, restoration plots, invasive weed control, photopoint analysis, rain gauges, and vegetation
signature mapping plots.
Directed Study: A comprehensive historical overview of the progressive limnology and water quality of
Payette Lake (Univ. of Idaho, 2000-2001). Research and data analysis of previous studies. Cooperation between
involved agencies and specialists. Focus on total phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll a. Surveying and
PowerPoint presentation.
Senior Thesis: An analysis of the GLOBE science education programs of the Clearwater Valley and Elk
City Schools (Univ. of Idaho, 2001). Extensive field and literary research. Involved writing a proposal, 3’x 4’
Poster, final PowerPoint presentation. Competition at the Moscow Engineering Exposition. Received 3rd place
overall.
Grants and Fellowship Awards
Joint Fire Science Program - Graduate Research Innovation (GRIN) Grant (2011). Exploring How Deliberation on
Scientific Information Shapes Stakeholder Perceptions of Smoke and Forest Management
Joint Fire Science Program Grant 10-1-03-2 (2010). Lead Researcher - Public Perceptions of Smoke: Contrasting
Tolerance amongst WUI and Urban Communities in the Interior West and the Southeastern United States
National Science Foundation IGERT (Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship) Fellowship
(2010). Social and Ecological Resilience in Forests of the Northern Rockies, USA.
Environmental Protection Agency Grant # CD-96033501 (2006). A Geospatial Analysis of Breeding Bird
Communities in Five Wetland Ecosystems Across the Western Kenai Peninsula Lowland, Alaska.
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Peer Reviewed and Refereed Publications
Blades, J., Hall, T. H. (in prep). Using an Expanded Risk Perception Theory to Predict Public Tolerance of Smoke
from Wildland and Prescribed Fire in the Northern Rockies and South-Central U.S. Society and Natural
Resources.
Blades, J., Hall, T. E., & Shook, S. (in prep). Deconstructing public preferences and tradeoffs about smoke from
wildland fires in the U.S. Northern Rocky Mountains and South-central U.S. using conjoint analysis.
Blades, J., Kemp, K., Klos, Z., Tinkham, W., Hall, T. H., Force, J. E., Morgan, P. (in prep). Forest managers’
response to interdisciplinary climate change science: Understanding the impact of boundary objects’ on
perceptions of risk and efficacy. Science Communication.
Kemp, K., Blades, J., Klos, Z., Tinkham, W., Hall, T. H., Force, J. E., Morgan, P. (in prep). Climate change in forest
management of the northern Rocky Mountains: Implication and barriers for application and management.
Blades, J., Perkins, C., & Sanyal, N. (in prep). Taking aim at conservation officers: Public perceptions of Idaho
conservation officers and management.
Blades, J., Hall, T. H., & McCaffrey, S. M. (2013). Chapter 11.2: Public perceptions and tolerance of smoke. Smoke
Management Guide for Prescribed and Wildland Fire: National Wildfire Coordination Group.
Conference Presentations and Proceedings
Blades, J., Kemp, K., Klos, Z., Tinkham, W., Hall, T. H., Force, J. E., Morgan, P. (2013). Forest managers’
response to interdisciplinary climate change science: Understanding the impact of boundary objects’ on
perceptions of risk and efficacy. Paper presented at the International Symposium on Society and Resource
Management (ISSRM), Estes Park, CO and at the America Geophysical Union (AGU) Chapman
Conference in Granby, CO.
Kemp, K., Blades, J., Klos, Z., Tinkham, W., Hall, T. H., Force, J. E., Morgan, P. (2013). Climate change in forest
management of the northern Rocky Mountains: Implication and barriers for application and management.
EPSCoR Climate Change Science for Effective Resource Management Conference.
Blades, J., Kemp, K., & Klos, Z. (2012). Multi-scale Climate Change Information for Forests of the Northern Rockies.
Presentation and Poster presented at the University of Idaho IGERT Annual Conference Meeting,
Moscow, ID.
Blades, J., & Hall, T. E. (2012). Enhancing Public Communication by Comparing Tolerance of Smoke from
Wildland Fires in the Northern Rockies and South-Central U.S. Paper presented at the International Symposium
on Society and Resource Management, Edmonton, Canada.
Blades, J., Hall, T. E., & Shook, S. (2012). Deconstructing public preferences and tradeoffs about smoke from wildland fires in the
Northern Rockies using conjoint analysis. Paper presented at the 3rd Human Dimensions of Wildland Fire
Conference, Seattle, Washington.
Blades, J., & Hall, T. E. (2012). The future is smoky: Toward explaining public tolerance of smoke from wildland fire and fuels
management. Paper presented at the 3rd Human Dimensions of Wildland Fire Conference, Seattle,
Washington.
Kemp, K., Blades, J., & Klos, Z. (2011). Understanding and communicating the local effects of climate change and social-ecological
vulnerability: Enhancing resilience within forests of the U.S. Northern Rockies. Proposal. College of Natural Resources.
University of Idaho Moscow, ID.
Blades, J., Klos, Z., & Kemp, K. (2011). Understanding and communicating the local effects of climate change and social-ecological
vulnerability: Enhancing resilience in forests of the U.S. Northern Rockies. Poster presented at the 2nd Annual Pacific
Northwest Climate Science Conference, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
Klos, Z., Kemp, K., & Blades, J. (2011). Understanding and communicating the local effects of climate change and social-ecological
vulnerability: Enhancing resilience in forests of the U.S. Northern Rockies. Paper presented at the CONFOR West –
Interdisciplinary Environmental Conference, Canmore, Alberta, Canada.
Kemp, K., Klos, Z., & Blades, J. (2011). Understanding and communicating the local effects of climate change and social-ecological
vulnerability: Enhancing resilience in forests of the U.S. Northern Rockies. Poster presented at the American
Geophysical Union: Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA.
Klos, Z., Blades, J., Kemp, K., & others. (2010). Disappearing Snow: Understanding local effects of climate change upon
resilience of social-ecological systems within the U.S. Northern Rockies. Poster presented at the National Science
Foundation: 2010 IGERT Poster Competition, Washington, D.C.
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Invited Talks
Guest Lecture: Climate Change Information for Forests of the Northern Rockies – a summary of workshop
findings, lessons learned, communication theory and climate change, and curriculum implications, McCall
Outdoor Science School (MOSS), January 27, 2013
Guest lecturer: Interdisciplinary Climate Change Seminar (Geography 501), University of Idaho, April 9, 2012
Guest lecturer: Ecology and Conservation Biology (Natural Resources 200), University of Idaho, April 13, 2012
Annual Conference: National Science Foundation: Integrated Graduate Education and Research Traineeship,
Presentation on the Northern Rockies Interdisciplinary Team Research, August 2011.
Membership and Affiliations
International Association for Society and Natural Resources
International Association of Wildland Fire
Reviewer for the Journal: Society & Natural Resources
Service and Awards
Outstanding Graduate Student Annual Award, College of Natural Resources, 2013
Volunteer professional facilitator for the Clearwater-Nez Perce National Forest’s Collaborative Forest Plan Revision
Effort 2012/2013
Kindergarten and First Grade Sunday school teacher, 2010-2013
Graduate student representative to the Conservation Social Sciences Department 2012-2013
Graduate student representative for the Full Professor Promotion Review Team for J.D. Wulfhorst, professor or
rural sociology, Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology Department, College of Ag Sciences. 2012
Joint Fire Science – Proposal Review Team. RFA 2 Task 1 “New Science Initiative – Fire Social Sciences.” March 6,
2012, Boise, Idaho
Joint Fire Science – Proposal Review Team. Graduate Research Innovation Program (GRIN), February 2013
University of Idaho Vandal Boosters – Latah County Board Member – Student Representative
Idaho State Veterans Home – regularly volunteer through activities office, serve lunches, and play cribbage
Idaho Department of Fish and Game – Sagebrush and bitterbrush plantings along the Boise Front
Big Brothers of America – Was a big bro for several years
Idaho Food Bank – Coordinate food drives through URS
Great Place to Work Coordinator – Serve as the Boise Office GP2W coordinator, organizing volunteers and charity
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