Habitat Restoration & Management of New England's Natural Areas

People

Chris Polatin, Manager & Habitat Restoration Specialist

Joan Deely, Project Manager

Habitat Restoration Team

Jon O'Gara, Crew Leader

Jon is a graduate of the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMASS Amherst with a focus on Landscape Contracting (AS). He continued his studies at UMASS to obtain a BS in Environmental Design through the Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning.

Qualifications/Proficiency

  • Game of Logging Levels 1&2
  • Licensed pesticide applicator
  • Invasive Plant ID

Andy Townsend, Restoration Technician

Andy is a graduate of Sterling College in Vermont with an AA in Resource Management and a BA in Ecological Design (2010).

Qualifications/Proficiency

  • Game of Logging Levels 1&2
  • Licensed pesticide applicator
  • GPS/GIS
  • Invasive Plant ID

Nick Cravedi, Restoration Technician

Nick is working towards an associate’s degree in Natural Resources Management from Mount Wachusetts Community College. Nick has wildland firefighting and arborist training/experience.

Qualifications/Proficiency

  • S130/190 Fire Training
  • Game of Logging Levels 1&2
  • Licensed pesticide applicator
  • Invasive Plant ID

Alex Krofta, Restoration Technician

Alex holds a masters degree in Environmental Science and Policy from Clark University. Alex has been involved with amphibian population studies and bird surveys as a field ecologist. He has also performed stewardship duties such as baseline & annual monitoring reports for land trusts. 

Qualifications/Proficiency

  • Licensed pesticide applicator
  • GIS/GPS
  • Invasive Plant ID
  • Baseline monitoring reports for conservation restriction properties
  • Wetland plant ID
  • Amphibian surveys
  • Bird surveys

Associates