Principals and Key Staff

  • Natural resources/biological assessments
  • Reptile and amphibian visual encounter surveys
  • Construction environmental compliance monitoring
  • Resource agency permit applications
  • B.S., Wildlife, Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA
  • The Wildlife Society Certified Wildlife Biologist ©

  • Trained in the use of ultrasound recordings of bats and analyzing software

  • USFWS approved Western Snowy Plover Surveyor

  • Water Pollution Control Manager (WPCM) Assistant

Gretchen O’Brien

Biology Services Manager

Gretchen has almost 30 years of experience in wildlife survey techniques, habitat assessment, environmental compliance monitoring, data management and technical report writing.  She has expertise in California special-status species and survey protocols for Northern Spotted Owl, Marbled Murrelet, Willow Flycatcher, Western Snowy Plover, and Northern Goshawk.  Gretchen assists with California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document preparation. She also specializes in nesting bird surveys.  In 2025, Gretchen became SHN’s Biology Services Manager, coordinating and organizing our cross-offices Biology services group.