Carrie Presnall
Graduate Research Assistant

Phone: (520) 626-9868
E-mail: carriekp@email.arizona.edu

Biological Sciences East, Room 202
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85720
USA

B.A. 1999. University of California, Santa Cruz. Art,
concentration in Photography

With her diverse experiences working with people and the environment, Carrie Presnall appreciates SNRE’s interdisciplinary graduate program. After earning a BA in Art, Carrie was employed in the mental health field for five years and then joined the Peace Corps. She worked as a Health Volunteer for two years in Namibia, collaborating with stakeholders from business, education, government, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to improve and coordinate HIV-outreach events. During her Peace Corps service, Carrie also developed an interest in ecosystems and resource management.

One of Carrie's most influential experiences was working with Namibia's Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources on a marine bird conservation island. Carrie assisted with monitoring sea bird populations, rehabilitating birds, and implementing invasive species population control. Seeing the interactions between marine birds, seals, fish, and human activities such as fishing and mining, Carrie wondered how to manage the needs of a developing country and local ecosystems. How could communities sustainably generate income, maintain amicable relationships with international businesses, and still maximize ecosystem function and ecosystem services? These questions inspired Carrie to pursue a degree at the School of Natural Resources and Environment.

As a graduate student, Carrie has researched conservation incentives and payments for ecosystem services to support continued and improved land stewardship by ranchers. This research could help to reward good land stewardship, maintain provision of ecosystem services, and slow exurban sprawl.

Carrie will continue research on ecosystem services, focusing on Ecosystem Services in the National Environmental Protection Act

Outside of class, Carrie is the Co-chair of the Natural Resources Grad Student Organization as well as the Social Chair for Desert Doves, the Returned Peace Corps Volunteer group in Tucson.She was formerly the Vice President of Desert Doves (2009) and the Volunteer Coordinator of Tucson Organic Gardeners (2009).