Facilitation & Fieldwork
I work as a freelance writer and environmental facilitator to support informed and effective regional planning and management processes across the complex landscapes and communities in the Western U.S. I am passionate about cultivating reciprocal relationships and specialize in creative approaches to impactful, nuanced communication and environmental problem-solving.
My work is enhanced by my interdisciplinary background in ecological research and monitoring, experiential education, science communication, and creative writing. As a field biologist, I have contributed to projects led by the National Audubon Society, National Park Service, Southern Colorado Plateau Network, Center for Ecosystem Science and Society, Central Arizona–Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research project, Colorado Plateau Research Station, and others. I have previously managed outreach & marketing for environmental NGOs, co-conducted qualitative research to improve the efficacy of collaborative research teams, taught university communication courses in Environmental Humanities and English, and facilitated a variety of experiential education programs on land and at sea. This interdisciplinary experience gives me a unique perspective to think critically and creatively about a variety of complex subjects.
Please use the contact form for all facilitation, writing, and field technician inquiries. If you are interested in birding guide services, you can hire me through Arizona Birding Guides.
Scholarly & Special Interest Publications
Peer-Reviewed
Mahoney, S.M., Davis, P., Dodge, C., Edwards, C., Holmes, J.A., Jennings, Q., Johnson, M.J., Lundgren, E.J., McLeod, M.A., Moore, D., Motyka, P.J., Pellegrini, A., Rakestraw, D.N., Smith, A.N.B., Winton, R.R., & Woodhouse, E. (2024). Evidence of honest signalling in a suboscine bird: Southwestern willow flycatcher song frequency is positively related to apparent reproductive success. Behaviour, 161(7), 545-565. doi.org/10.1163/1568539X-bja10275
Mahoney, S.M., Smith, A.N.B; Motyka, P.J; Lundgren, E.J.; Johnson M.J.; Winton, R.R.; Stevens, B. (2019). Russian olive habitat along an arid river supports fewer bird species, functional groups, and a different species composition relative to mixed vegetation habitats. Journal of Arid Environments. Vol 167: 26-33. doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2019.04.018 (available upon request)
Non-Referred / Edited
Smith, A.N. and B.G. Merkle. 2020. Meaning-Making in Science Communication: A Case for Precision in Word Choice. The Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America. doi.org/10.1002/bes2.1794 (open access)
Special Interest
Holding the Line: Defending Wyoming’s Sagebrush Core from Cheatgrass. Co-written with Greg Peters. Working Lands for Wildlife, March 27, 2024.
New Science Backs WLFW’s Biome-Wide Conservation Approach. Working Lands for Wildlife, November 6, 2023.
Prioritizing healthy grasslands leads to more efficient conservation than focusing solely on wildlife. Working Lands for Wildlife, November 6, 2023.
Four garter snakes species call WY home. Barnyards & Backyards, 2020 Fall Issue.
Research Media Coverage
Piccone, A. Words Matter For Scientists—Here’s Why. Wyoming Public Radio. March 19, 2021.
This is the Colorado Plateau with Christopher Calvo: Scientific and Environmental News, Events and Voices from Around the Region. Radio Sunnyside. June 6, 2019.
Select Posters & Presentations
Anna Nellis Smith. 2020. Russian olive habitat along an arid river supports fewer bird species, functional groups and a different species composition relative to mixed vegetation habitats. Poster for the North American Ornithological Conference.
See Literary Work for more writing, multimedia & collaborative projects
See Recognition & Awards for other public readings, interviews, grants & awards