I have spent over a decade living and working in the outdoors as a field biologist, experiential outdoor educator, and tall ship sailor. My research interests are eclectic but primarily focused on science communication, natural history, ornithology, and conservation biology.
During my time 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, Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability, Colorado Plateau Research Station, and others. These have allowed me to live and work in Maine, Alaska, and throughout the Four Corners of the Southwest.
I am particularly interested in creating, supporting, and engaging with projects that integrate the arts, sciences, and humanities. Please get in touch if you would like to collaborate!
SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS
PEER-REVIEWED
Mahoney, Sean M., Anna Nellis B Smith; Peter J Motyka; Erick J Lundgren; Matthew J Johnson; Raemy R Winton; Bo Stevens. 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.
NON-REFEREED / 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. https://doi.org/10.1002/bes2.1794
Popular Science
Smith, Nell. 2020. Four garter snake species call Wyoming home. Barnyards & Backyards, Fall Issue (print)
See Literary Work for more place-based writing
PRESENTATIONS & POSTERS
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.
Zeke Smith & Nell Smith. 2019. Stratton & Bluff Islands Annual Update. Prouts Neck Audubon Society Meeting, Prouts Neck, ME.
Anna Nellis Smith. 2012. One island, two nations: deforestation in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Conservation Biology Symposium Presentation at Prescott College, Prescott, AZ.