Brian Gara - Narture Conservancy
Brian Gara is currently a Stream and Wetland Mitigation Coordinator with the Ohio Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Previously, he was the Wetland Ecologist with the Ohio EPA, specializing in the study of native hydrophytic plants and the use of geographic information systems (GIS) technology to enhance the quantity and quality of Ohio's wetland resources. He has worked on numerous research projects to better understand these important aquatic resources. Past studies include: a detailed statewide assessment of the ecological condition of Ohio’s remaining wetland resources, and the integration of wetland assessment into the total maximum daily load (TMDL) process, and the subject of this talk, the development of a GIS application to identify potential high quality vernal pool restoration sites. He graduated with a BA in Art and Biology from Bluffton College (1985), an MS in Botany from Ohio University (1987), and a PhD from The Ohio State University in Environmental Science (1995).