National Capital Region Network Staff

See publications and other products produced by network staff: Network Products

• Patrick Campbell
  Regional Program Manager


Pat is the regional program manager for the National Capital Region Inventory and Monitoring Program. He has been coordinating multi-taxa inventory and monitoring projects for 14 years. His interests and expertise include forest ecology and the conservation of large mammals. Pat's work with the Smithsonian Institution as well as other natural resource agencies and NGOs has taken him to tropical forests and deserts and he is now focusing his efforts on the eastern deciduous forests of North America.

Education: BS - Wildlife Science, the Pennsylvania State University; MS - Wildlife Conservation, the University of Minnesota.

E-Mail: Patrick Campbell
Phone: 202-342-1443 x229



• John Paul Schmit
  Network Ecologist


John Paul is the Quantitative Ecologist for the Inventory and Monitoring Program. He assists with the development of the sampling design for the monitoring plan. He also analyzes monitoring data to detect long term trends in the network parks. His research interests have focused on biodiversity, biogeography and competition of fungi.

Education: BA – Biology, Grinnell College; MS and PhD. – Evolutionary Biology, University of Chicago

E-Mail: John Paul Schmit
Phone: 202-342-1443 x221

• Geoff Sanders
  Data Manager


As data manager, Geoff provides database and GIS support for the I & M Program as well as for Network parks. He is also responsible for establishing and implementing guidelines to ensure that data collected and maintained by the program is done so in a manner that is consistent with National program standards. Prior to joining the National Park Service, Geoff was a Biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center where he supported research efforts focused primarily on coastal ecosystems.

Education: BS - Biology, University of Scranton; MS Environmental Policy, Johns Hopkins University.

E-Mail: Geoff Sanders
Phone: 202-342-1443 x230



• Mark Lehman
  GIS Specialist




Mark is the GIS Specialist for the National Capital Region Inventory and Monitoring Program. He is responsible for the implementation of the remote sensing based aspects of the vital signs monitoring program, and acts as a data management and GIS liaison to the Regional parks. He has worked on projects for the Indiana Clean Lakes Program and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Other interests include aquatic ecology.

Education: MS - Information Science, University of Pittsburgh; Certificate - GIS, University of California, Riverside; MS - Environmental Science, Indiana University.

E-Mail: Mark Lehman
Phone: 202-342-1443 x225



• John Parrish
  Botanist




John Parrish is the Botanist for the National Capital Region Inventory & Monitoring Network. He is responsible for leading monitoring for the region’s 400 forest vegetation plots and also leads monitoring for forest insect pests and invasive/exotic plants. Prior to joining the park service John conducted botanical inventories and specialized in surveys for rare plant species. Other interests include gardening and working to preserve natural habitats.

E-Mail: John Parrish
Phone: 202-342-1443 x203




• Megan Nortrup
  Communications Specialist




Megan is the Science Communicator for the National Capital Region Inventory & Monitoring program. She is primarily responsible for disseminating information about I&M data and monitoring through NPS publications, fact sheets, reports, presentations, and the I&M website. She also acts as a communications liaison to the regional parks. Before joining I&M, Megan wrote and edited newsletters, press releases, and guidebooks for the Association of American Geographers. She also volunteered and worked as a gardener at the U.S. National Arboretum. Her interests include botany, soils, biogeography, and agricultural ecology.

Education: BS, Geography, University of Illinois; BFA, Music, University of Illinois; graduate-level coursework in Landscape Design, George Washington University

E-Mail: Megan Nortrup
Phone: 202-342-1443 x214



• Jim Pieper
  Hydrologic Technician




Jim is a Hydrologic Technician for the NCRN I&M program. He is primarily responsible for collecting samples, conducting laboratory analysis, and coordinating the initial aspects of data management. Before joining the I&M program, Jim managed the Water Quality Monitoring program at Prince William Forest Park where he conducted physical channel assessments, macro-invertebrate sampling, bacterial quantification, and chemical analysis. His other interests include Potomac freshwater ichthyofauna and Eastern carnivores.

Education: BS - Biology (Pre-Medicine), University of Virginia's College at Wise; Current Graduate-level Coursework - Environmental Science and Policy, George Mason University

E-Mail: Jim Pieper
Phone: 202-342-1443 x227



• Tonya Watts
  Hydrologic Technician




Tonya is a Hydrologic Technician for the NCRN I&M program. She is primarily responsible for collecting samples, conducting laboratory analysis, and coordinating the initial aspects of data management. She is especially interested in freshwater sponges. Before joining I&M, she collected water quality samples and measured suspended solids in the water column for the Baltimore Ecosystem Study. Tonya also worked with the Parks and People Foundation, where she taught inner city youth about environmental stewardship.

Education: AAS in Environmental Science, Baltimore City Community College; currently completing BA in Environmental Studies, Salisbury University

E-Mail: Tonya Watts
Phone: 202-342-1443 x227