Briana Schnelle

Rangeland Watershed Initiative Partner Biologist

As a Partner Biologist for the Rangeland Watershed Initiative I promote the partnership between Point Blue Conservation Science and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).  I work with landowners and livestock producers in Modoc County, CA and across the state line in Washoe County, NV to further wildlife conservation through sustainable ranching.  My work focuses on the Greater Sage-grouse Habitat Priority Areas and restoring sagebrush-steppe ecosystems.

From an early age, I have been immersed in the outdoors; fishing, camping, and hiking throughout the northern forests and the southern prairies of Wisconsin.  After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a B.S. degree in zoology, I worked various field research biology jobs throughout the US, finding an inclination towards working with upland game bird species.  However, it was the 2 years I spent in the Central Andes Mountains of Peru as a Peace Corps Volunteer that ignited my passion to work with private landowners and ranchers to focus on preserving rangeland ecosystems by creating conservation plans that address wildlife habitat needs and contribute to the sustainability of working lands.

When I’m not working with producers throughout the Great Basin, I can be found cross-country skiing, hiking with my black lab, knitting, gardening, or training for a marathon.

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