LAURA GUMPPER, CERPIT/CA

Luara, Ecologist & Lead Designer, has been working for NCS for over 2 years.  Driven by a sense of purpose, she’s a dedicated individual who strives to make a positive impact on others through. She prides herself on getting to know people and is always game for new opportunities outside of the comfort zone - including a developing love of tree preservation and forestry, encouraged by her woody plants endeavors at U-M and on Belle Isle. Laura is a natural innovator with a remarkable visual organization, which she honed through NCS restoration ecology projects, education in conservation and environmental science as well as engineering, and previous work in engineering and project management.

Current Experience:

Lead Designer/Restoration Ecologist/Environmental Consultant

Education:
Master of Science degree recipient at the University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability

Recent Skills/Expertise:

Client Relations, Project Planning and Execution, Consulting, AutoCAD, Aboriculture, Stormwater Management, GIS, GPS, R Statistical Program, Google Earth Engine, Remote Sensing (ERDAS Imagine), Plant Biology and Identification, Ecology, Conservation/Restoration, Ecosystem Science, Landscape Design, Project Management, Field Work, Presentation, Interpersonal Communication, Written Communication, Team Building, Scheduling, Estimating.

SCOTT METZGER, CWB

Scott Metzger, Wildlife Ecologist & Project Manager, has been managing NCS wildlife consulting, natural areas surveys & invasive species management projects for over 2 years.  Using his passion for game, mammology, ornithology & interdisciplinary natural resources experience, Scott leads wildlife and plant biological consulting, site assessments, project organizing, planning, data collection, reporting, mapping, staff leadership and supervision, client and cooperator communications, native landscape and habitat restoration oversight, scheduling, and ecological/physical site surveys, mapping and reporting, field work and oversight of work/workers, data analysis, site staking/layout, field implementation, materials and equipment budgeting, procurement, and leading and participating in all field work types. Scott has received training in herbicide application, mechanical removals, and prescribed burning - Scott has led planning of burns, estimating, & has participated in several prescribed burns. I also have been involved in restoration projects that involve prairie and wetland species and terrain restoration.In addition, Scott is often called on for his observational and mechanical skills, and has helped forestry quality control. ecological restoration, and agricultural/horticultural,tasks while performing QA/QC, and equipment retrofitting to facilitate efficient staff work.

NICK LONGBUCCO; CERPit, FORESTER

Nick Longbucco is NCS lead Restoration Ecologist, carries a wealth of knowledge in planning & restoration ecology. After working in restoration planning in his native Michigan, Nick spent six years working on conservation issues in Iowa and with The Nature Conservancy a working on watershed level water resource issues, which included managing a million dollar plus wetland restoration program and working with watershed and supply-chain partners to secure support for conservation throughout the watershed. Born and raised in Michigan, Nick also worked for the Oakland County SCWD working with local landowners on a variety of BMPs to address water and soil resource concerns. He is a proud MSU Spartan (Go Green) and holds a M.S. in Environmental Resource Management from Southern Illinois University. With a strong appreciation for the soil and water resources that bless the Great Lakes, Mr. Longbucco is passionate about finding solutions that benefit local communities and protects and improves these invaluable resources. Nick coalesces cross-functional teams by streamlining information distribution and analysis. Nick is a certified forester and has interdisciplinary restoration ecology skills.

Project Experience

Mr. Longbucco  is a restoration ecologist with extensive experience in wetl;ands management, reforestation, organizational planning , project oversight, design and implementation of wetland restoration, stream bioengineering, prairie restoration, agroecology and invasive species control, with 19 years of experience throughout the midwest. He has given presentations and workshops in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan and Missouri on a variety of topics related to ecological restoration & oxbow wetlands. He has led restoration operations, including scheduling, planning, and field implementation for greater than twenty projects in the Southeast Michigan region. He has in-depth experience with invasive species biological control, forest and floodplain restoration methodology, implementation, and site analysis.

field staff

NCS also staffs an operations manager, ecological designers, natural resources technicians, interns & biologists.