ALANA WESTWOOD Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

902.410.4260 a.westwood@dal.ca

www.alanawestwood.com

EDUCATION Ph.D. in Biology, Dalhousie University (2016) Thesis: Conservation of three forest landbird species at risk: Characterizing and modeling habitat at multiple scales to guide management planning (supervised by Dr. Cindy Staicer) Hons BSc. Applied Environmental & Forest Ethics, University of Winnipeg (2011) Graduating science & business valedictorian • grade point average 4.28/4.5 Biology Thesis: The effects of Armillaria root disease on Picea mariana in the boreal plains of central Canada (supervised by Dr. Jacques Tardif) Philosophy Thesis: Ecosystems under threat in Manitoba: Determining obligations to our forests (supervised by Dr. Sandra Tomsons)

TEACHING RESPONSIBILITIES AT DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY BIOL2601 Flora of Nova Scotia. 2014-2017. 16-20 students. Second year course, systematics and identification of native plants. Led 6 field trips/year for students to create collections and contribute specimens to herbaria, as well as labs and lectures.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY Evidence for Democracy 2014-2017

Research Coordinator: developing, directing, and implementing national research program on scientific evidence and public policy • supervising students and volunteers • recruiting, coordinating, and delivering skills training to the national Network of Experts • writing research reports and academic papers • editorial, writing, and media outreach • long term strategic and organizational planning

Contributing Scientist with the Boreal Avian Modelling (BAM) Project 2015-2017

University of Winnipeg: developing a GIS-based species distribution model to guide reintroduction opportunities for the endangered Poweshiek Skipperling in Manitoba, along with accompanying reports and manuscript High Branch Consulting: developing habitat management guidelines for the Canada Warbler across 4 provinces • GIS-based spatial conservation prioritization model designed to identify conservation and management opportunities Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC): completing new status assessment for the Olive-sided Flycatcher to support conservation and management of this species at risk.

Dalhousie University Sessional Lecturer for course: Flora of Nova Scotia 2014-2017

Writing Centre Tutor 2012-2014 Teaching Assistant for courses: Ethics in Science • Integrated Science Writing • Geographic

Information Systems in Ecology 2011-2013

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Joro Environmental Consultants, Ltd. 2011-2012 Research Assistant: researched and wrote report sections for large-scale Environmental Impact Assessments • database manager and webdesigner • co-ordinated field teams, carried out field surveys • wrote monitoring reports on raptors, owls, and caribou

University of Winnipeg 2005-2010

Field Research Technician: planned and supervised forest ecology field projects • vascular plant, insect, and bird identification • techniques for GIS, forest health and measurement, soil analysis, dendrochronology, and insect mark-recapture, among others Lab Demonstrator/Marker for courses: Cells and Cellular Processes • Evolution, Ecology & Biodiversity • Introductory Atmospheric Science • Biology of Vascular Plants • Principles of Ecology • Environmental Sustainability • Human-Environmental Interactions

Government of Manitoba 2009-2011

Researcher for Rob Altermeyer, MLA for Wolseley: engaged in research and summary tasks for introduction into legislative discussions and decision-making

Camp Tamakwa/Camp Stephens 2007-2009

Canoe Tripper: Guided groups of 7-20 children on 5-15 day trips in remote wilderness • leadership, canoeing, portaging, campfire cooking • mentored children aged 11-15 regarding canoeing skills, no-trace camping, wilderness survival, and life skills • responsible for the safety, health, and well-being of all participants in absence of accessible professional medical care

AWARDS 2017 Samara Canada Everyday Political Citizen IRL Conference Travel Award (up to $1000) 2016 SpringTide Collective Co-Resolve Deep Democracy Training Attendance Scholarship

($350) • Nominee for Samara Canada’s Everyday Political Citizen award 2015 Dalhousie ESRI Seasoned User Student Award ($1500) 2014 Dalhousie University, President’s Award ($5000) • Elizabeth May Sustainability and

Environmental Research Symposium, winner of best graduate research poster ($150) • President’s Graduate Teaching Assistant Award ($500) • Dalhousie Office of Sustainability Brightest Idea Competition (with Takafumi Osawa, $75) • Sisam Forestry Award ($1000) • Society of Canadian Ornithologists, Travel Award ($490)

2013 Dalhousie University, President’s Award ($5000) • Society of Canadian Ornithologists Annual Meeting, placed 2nd in student presentation competition

2012 National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), NSERC Postgraduate Scholarship (PGS-D, 3 years, $22 000) • Dalhousie University, President’s Award ($5000) • Mersey-Tobeatic Research Institute Annual Science Conference, travel award ($100) • Northeastern Bird Conservation Conference Planning Committee, travel award ($250) • Elizabeth May Sustainability and Environmental Research Symposium, winner of best graduate research poster ($500)

2011 NSERC, Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarship (CGS-M, $14 500) • American Ornithologists Union, student membership award

2010 NSERC, Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA, $4 500) • University of Winnipeg,

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Gold Medal for Excellence (student-designed major); Catherine Sosiak Memorial Scholarship ($300, declined); Academic Proficiency Scholarship ($750)

2009 NSERC, Undergraduate Student Research Award (USRA, $4 500) • Manitoba Round Table for Sustainable Development, undergraduate scholarship ($2 500) • University of Winnipeg, Academic Proficiency Scholarship ($750)

2008 Datatel, Scholars Award ($1 500) • University of Winnipeg, Academic Proficiency Scholarship ($750)

2007 University of Winnipeg, Academic Proficiency Scholarship ($750) 2006 University of Winnipeg, Alumni Entrance Scholarship ($5 000); Alfred Longman Entrance

Scholarship ($500) 2003-2006 University of Winnipeg, Dean’s Medal; Shankar Memorial Prize ($200); 14-time

Academic Excellence/Subject Award; 3-time Entrance Scholarship

PROFESSIONAL REVIEWING AND ADVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES 2015-16 Biological Conservation 2013 Forest Ecology & Management

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND VOLUNTEER WORK 2013-2014 Evidence for Democracy (E4D), Atlantic Representative • Volunteer Coordinator;

Communications Committee Member 2011-2014 The Food Label Movement (FLM), Co-founder • Research Director • Volunteer

Coordinator

2012-2013 Biology Association of Graduate Students (BOGS), Treasurer 2012-2013 Hillel Atlantic, Graduate Student representative

2012 Canadian Youth Climate Coalition (CYCC), Selected Canadian Youth Delegation member to UNFCCC Conference of Parties 18, Doha, Qatar • Regional Coordinator for PowerShift 2012 conference

2007-2008 SUNSET (Sustainable University Now, Sustainable Earth Together) representative and volunteer • Coach, varsity badminton (University of Winnipeg Collegiate) and junior high basketball (Dakota Community Centre, Linden Meadows School)

2003-2006 University of Winnipeg Collegiate student council, prime minister • University of Winnipeg Collegiate social justice committee/recycling program, co-found and organizer

STUDENT SUPERVISION Undergraduate Level - Special Topics Course/Independent Study

Thompson, Hilary. 2015. Verifying remote sensing and photography-derived field environmental data using field observations at forested wetland sites in Nova Scotia. Dalhousie University, Halifax. Johnson, Courtney (co-supervised by Dr. Cindy Staicer). 2014. Comparing field-collected forest ecosystem classification data to geographic information system products in wet forest environments. Dalhousie University, Halifax. Vietinghoff, Christina (co-supervised by Dr. Roger Jacobs). 2014. Science or Scientific: To what extent does Environment Canada use science to legitimize public policy

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announcements? McMaster University, Hamilton. Undergraduate Community Service Learning Placement, University of Ottawa

Arielle Dufresne, Stefanie El-Beyrouti, Leah Afework. 2017. Developing policy briefs for emerging issues in evidence-based policy: Fisheries, statistics, and alternative medicines. Alexander Satenstein and Sofiya Kominksi. 2015. Science, Twitter, and the 42nd Canadian federal election. Taylor Ducharme, Elias Rizek, and Andréanne Roy. 2015. Media analysis of Environment Canada’s public policy analysis to evaluate changing rhetoric. Matthew Bunn, Kelly Lepchuk, Sasha Masabanda, and Dexter Tang. 2015. Voting record of MPs on legislation relating to science policy and evidence-informed decision-making.

RESEARCH GRANTS AND CONTRACTS Year Agency Title Responsibility Total

2016

Professional Employees Association of B.C.

Provincial science integrity in British Columbia Co-applicant Kathleen Walsh, on behalf of Evidence for Democracy

$25 000

West Coast Environmental Law

Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund Grant: Promoting the transparent use of evidence in government decision-making

Co-applicant Kathleen Walsh, on behalf of Evidence for Democracy

$2 500

High Branch Conservation Services Ltd.

Habitat management guidelines and spatial conservation prioritization opportunities for the Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) in BCR14: Gaspé Pensinsula (Québec), New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island

Sole $10 000 (USD)

Environment Canada – Canadian Wildlife Service

COSEWIC Status Assessment and Report for the Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) in Canada.

Co-applicants Tara Stehelin, Dr. Erin Bayne, Dr. Fiona Schmiegelow

$6 800

2014 Parks Canada Estimating population density of the Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), Olive-Sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi), and Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) in national parks in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia

Co-applicant Dr. Erin Bayne

$7 500

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2012

Parks Canada Habitat suitability index (HSI) models for the Rusty Blackbird, Olive-Sided Flycatcher, and Canada Warbler in Fundy National Park and Kejimkujik National Park

Sole $5 000

Nova Scotia Habitat Conservation Fund

Surveys of species at risk locations and habitat in southwestern Nova Scotia

Co-applicant Dr. Cindy Staicer

$5 000

RESEARCH CONTRIBUTIONS Articles published in refereed journals

1. Cailleret, M., + 66 authors, including Westwood, A. (62nd). 2016. A synthesis of radial growth patterns preceding tree mortality. Global Change Biology, accepted for upcoming issue.

2. Barker, N., Fontaine, P., Cumming, S., Stralberg, D., Westwood, A., Bayne, E., Sólymos, P., Schmiegelow, F., Song, S., and Rugg, D. 2015. Ecological monitoring through harmonizing existing data: lessons from the Boreal Avian Modelling Project. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 39(3).

3. Westwood, A., Reuchlin-Heugenholtz, E., Keith, D. 2014. Re-defining recovery: A generalized framework for assessing species recovery. Biological Conservation 172: 155-162.

4. Westwood, A., Conciatori, F., Tardif, J., Knowles, K. 2012. Effects of Armillaria root rot disease on the growth of Picea mariana in the boreal plains of central Canada. Forest Ecology and Management 266: 1-10.

Reports

Taylor, S., Westwood, A. 2017. Scientific integrity for environmental decision-making: A submission to Canada’s Expert Panel for reform of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Evidence for Democracy. Available here. Westwood, A. 2016. Response to Canada’s Terms of Reference for National Energy Board Modernization expert panel. Evidence for Democracy. Available here. Westwood, A. 2016. Response to Canada’s Terms of Reference for Canadian Environmental Assessment Act expert panel. Available here. Westwood, A. 2016. Response to Canada’s proposals for revitalizing access to information. Evidence for Democracy. Available here. Westwood, A. 2016. Moving from open data to open science ­ A response to Canada’s Open Government Draft Plan. Evidence for Democracy. Available here. Peltier, W.R., Stone, J., Takaro, T., Westwood, A. 2015. On the role of Canada’s scientists in transitioning to a low-carbon future. In Acting On Climate Change: Extending the Dialogue Among Canadians. Sustainable Canada Dialogues. Available here. Westwood, A., Sólymos, P., Fontaine, T., Bayne, E. 2015. Estimating population density of the Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus), Olive-Sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi), and Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) in national parks in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Boreal Avian Modeling Project, University of Alberta, and Dalhousie University. Prepared for Parks Canada. Westwood, A. 2012. Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) Models In Kejimkujik and Fundy

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National Parks: Canada Warbler, Olive-Sided Flycatcher, Rusty Blackbird, and Eastern Wood-Pewee. Dalhousie University. Report prepared for Parks Canada. Bigland-Pritchard, M., Rooney, K., Westwood, A. 2012. Commitment Issues: Tar sands extraction invalidates Canada’s obligations to the UNFCCC and undermines global climate change negotiations. Canadian Youth Delegation & Low Energy Design Ltd.

LECTURES, PRESENTATIONS, AND POSTERS Invited presentations

Westwood, A. 2014-2016. Standing up for science: A crash course in science advocacy. Presented at College Ruminations Speaker Series, Dalhousie Agricultural College, November 12 2013, Truro, Canada; Department of Environmental Studies, University of Winnipeg. May 21 2013, Winnipeg, Canada; Parkland Institute, University of Alberta. May 7 2013, Edmonton, Canada; Biological Sciences, University of Winnipeg. March 22 2016, Winnipeg, Canada; University of Victoria. September 28, 2016, Victoria, Canada; University of British Columbia, October 27 2016, Vancouver, Canada. Westwood, A. 2013. Federal cuts to scientific funding: consequences for the researchers of tomorrow. Stand Up For Science rally. September 16, 2013. Halifax, Canada. Westwood, A. 2012. Bog sweet bog: Habitat associations of bird species at risk in Nova Scotia’s treed wetlands. Oral presentation at Mersey-Tobeatic Research Institute (institutional). July 12, Kempt, NS, Canada. Westwood, A. 2011. Ecosystems under threat in Manitoba: Determining obligations to our forests. Oral presentation, University of Winnipeg Philosophy Students’ Association Speaker Series (institutional). December 1, 2010. Winnipeg, Canada.

Refereed conference contributions (Presenter(s) indicated by *)

Stacier, C.*, Westwood, A., Ferarri, C., and Crosby, B. 2016. Breeding habitat and vocal behavior of Rusty Blackbirds in Nova Scotia. Oral presentation at International Rusty Blackbird Working Group Workship, North American Ornithological Congress, Aug 16-20, Washington, DC. Westwood, A.*, Solymos, P., Fontaine, T., Mazerolle, D., Bayne, E., and Staicer, C. 2016. Predicting population size and density of species at risk in national park. Poster presented at CAG-ACG Annual Meeting 2016 (national), May 30-June 4, Halifax, Canada. Bale, S.*, Beazley, K., Bush, P., Westwood, A., Ferrari, C. 2015. Maximizing the utility of Maxent: Exploring the influence of selection modality, feature types, and bias mask in model building. Poster presented at International Congress of Conservation Biology (international), Aug 2-6, Montpellier, France. Bale, S., Beazley, K., Bush, P., Westwood, A., Ferrari, C. 2015. Applying principles of ecological resilience theory to model bird habitat in a context of climate change. Poster presented at International Symposium on Digital Earth (international), Oct 5-9, Halifax, Canada. Westwood, A., Solymos, P., Fontaine, T., and Bayne, E. 2015. Species distribution modeling for three landbird species at risk: The contribution of protected areas to habitat and the effects of scale on population estimates. WOS/AFO/SCO-SOC 2015 Joint Meeting (international), July 16-18, 2015, Wolfville, Canada. Haché, S., Westwood, A. 2015. Boreal Avian Modelling Project: Advances and applications

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from national to local initiatives. Oral presentation at Canada Warbler International Conservation Initiative Breeding Grounds Summit (international), March 10-12, 2015, Ottawa, Canada. Ferrari, C., Westwood, A., Randall, J., Darlington-Moore, S., Kindree, M., Staicer, C. 2014. Species distribution models for six species of landbirds at risk in southwestern Nova Scotia. Poster presented at the Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute 3rd Annual Science Meeting (regional), Nov 7, 2014, Lunenburg, Canada. Westwood, A. 2014. An introduction to the Boreal Avian Modeling Project. Eastern Habitat Joint Venture Meeting (regional), Oct 8-9, 2014, Fredericton, Canada. Westwood, A., Staicer, C. 2014. Habitat associations of the rusty blackbird in Nova Scotia, and opportunities for conservation within a multi-species suite (international). Oral presentation at AOU/COS/SCO Joint Meeting, Sep 23-28, 2014, Estes Park, USA. Westwood, A.*, Randall, J., Achenbach, L., Lavallee, A., Pray-Leslie, A., Cormier, D., Staicer, C. 2014. Field surveys for three landbird species at risk and their wet forest habitat in southwestern Nova Scotia. Poster presented at the Elizabeth May Sustainability and Environmental Research Symposium (regional), March 7, 2014, Halifax, Canada. Westwood, A.*, Randall, J., Achenbach, L., Lavallee, A., Pray-Leslie, A., Cormier, D., Staicer, C. 2013. Field surveys for three landbird species at risk and their wet forest habitat in southwestern Nova Scotia. Poster presented at the Mersey-Tobeatic Research Institute Science Conference (regional), November 1, 2013, Bridgewater, Canada. Westwood, A.*, Staicer, C. 2013. A preliminary assessment of Rusty Blackbird, Olive-Sided Flycatcher, and Canada Warbler habitat in the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve. Oral presentation at the Society of Canadian Ornithologists Annual Meeting (national), August 12-14, Winnipeg, Canada. Westwood, A.*, Staicer, C. 2012. A comparison of Rusty Blackbird habitat on managed and protected lands in the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve. Oral presentation at the Mersey-Tobeatic Research Institute Conference (regional). November 1-2. Caledonia, NS, Canada. Westwood, A.*, Staicer, C. 2012. A comparison of Rusty Blackbird habitat on managed and protected lands in the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve. Oral presentation at the International Rusty Blackbird Working Group Meeting, hosted at the Northeast Bird Conservation Conference (international). October 16-18. Plymouth, MA, U.S.A. Westwood, A.*, Staicer, C., Bush, P. 2012. Preliminary habitat suitability models for three forest-dwelling bird species at risk in the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve. Poster presented at Geomatics Atlantic (regional). June 12-14. Halifax, Canada. Westwood, A.*, Staicer, C. 2012. A preliminary habitat suitability (HSI) model for the Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) in Kejimkujik National Park Sustainability and Environmental Research Symposium (institutional). March 9. Halifax, Canada. Westwood, A., Conciatori, F., Tardif, J.*, Knowles, K. 2011. Effects of Armillaria root rot disease on the growth of Picea mariana in the boreal plains of central Canada. Poster presented at Eurodendro 2011 (international). September 19-23. Engelberg, Switzerland. (presented by J. Tardif)

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Westwood, A.*, Conciatori, F., Tardif, J., Knowles, K. 2011. Effects of Armillaria root rot disease on the growth of Picea mariana in the boreal plains of central Canada. Poster presented at Deadwood 2011: International symposium on dynamics and ecological services of deadwood in forest ecosystems (international). May 15-19. Rouyn-Nouranda, Quebec, Canada. Westwood, A.* 2010. The effects of Armillaria root disease on the growth of black spruce (Picea mariana) in western Manitoba. Oral presentation at Prairie Universities Biological Symposium (regional). February 18-20, Brandon, Canada.

Invited lectures, panels, and briefings 2016 Developer and presenter for Evidence for Democracy’s 3-part Network of Experts Comms

for Scientists webinar series; Boreal Avian Modelling Project; Nature Conservancy of Canada

2015 Center for Inquiry Halifax; Dalhousie University Agricultural College; Dalhousie University Environmental Programs Student Society; Boreal Avian Modelling Project/Environment Canada/Parks Canada

2014 Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg; Parkland Institute, University of Alberta; New Brunswick Eastern Habitat Joint Venture/Department of Natural Resources; Nova Scotia Community College

2012 Mersey-Tobeatic Research Institute; Conference of Parties to the UNFCC 18 International Forum on Globalization; International Conference of Youth 8; Powershift 2012

SELECTED NON-ACADEMIC WRITTEN CONTRIBUTIONS Journalistic/editorial venues published in 2017 Nature 2016 Bird Watcher’s Digest (cover article) • The Toronto Star

2015 Humanist Perspectives (cover article) • The Toronto Star • The Hill Times • The Chronicle Herald • LoveNature • Picoides

2014 The Toronto Star • Canadian Journalists for Free Expression • The Coast • Alternatives Journal

2013 Alternatives Journal 2012 Rabble • The Chronicle Herald • Alternatives Journal • Youth Policy

Fiction contributions

Short Fiction Anthologies: The Books They Gave Me (Free Press: New York) Literary Magazines: four33 • Broad!

CERTIFICATIONS 2014 CPR C 2009 Canoe Tripping Level 1 2007 Bronze Cross Re-Certification • Wilderness First Aid/CPR 2006 Flatwater C Canoeing

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LANGUAGES AND ATHLETICS English/French functionally bilingual in reading/writing

Badminton - Former 4-time Manitoba badminton champion, and Canada Games Badminton Team co-captain (2007), 4-time national quarterfinalist in doubles Basketball - Member of Manitoba Collegiate Athletic Association league-winning basketball team University of Winnipeg College Wesmen (2010-2011), provincial A/AA/AAA All-Star Long-distance backpacker, canoe tripper, rock climber, and eco-endurance race runner

REFERENCES Dr. Cindy Staicer Department of Biology, Dalhousie University 1.902.494.3533 cindy.staicer@dal.ca Kathleen Walsh Interim Executive Director, Evidence for Democracy 1.613.282.7573 kathleen@evidencefordemocracy.ca Dr. Fiona Schmiegelow Professor, University of Alberta/Yukon College Boreal Avian Modelling Project Steering Committee 1.780.492.0552 fschmieg@ualberta.ca