Michelle Murdock

Program and Administrative Support

Michelle’s background in ecology and environmental management has motivated her interest in projects that aim to balance development and sustainability in relationship to a science-based understanding of the environment. Her creativity and understanding bring solutions and energy to Sierra Business Council.

Professional Experience

Michelle began working at Sierra Business Council in November 2007. While originally from Southern California she moved back west after her graduate studies on the east coast to pursue her interests in birds and field ecology. She has a background in field research, ornithology, and environmental management, and has worked for the US Forest Service, and in the UC system on several resource management projects. Prior to coming to SBC she worked closely with the Nature Reserve of Orange County, the Irvine Land Trust, and The Nature Conservancy on a project addressing the sustainability of the invasive perennial exotic Artichoke Thistle (Cynara cardunculus) control efforts in southern California.

Education

Michelle has earned a B.A. from Columbia University and a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science from the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. While studying at Yale she examined the Quinnipiac marsh, a local degraded tidal marsh, and generated a management model for enhancement of the endemic and threatened bird habitat.

Currently she provides administrative assistance, program assistance, and membership support for SBC.