Ecologist · Restoration Scientist · GIS Specialist

Laura
Painter

Fieldwork at the intersection of land, water, and community. From coral reefs in Bermuda to riparian corridors in the Pacific Northwest — restoring ecosystems through science, stewardship, and careful observation.

47.6740° N, 122.1215° W  ·  Redmond, WA
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Salix lucida · Specimen No. 047 10 cm
Profile

Where science
meets stewardship

I work at the intersection of ecological fieldwork, data science, and land management — studying and restoring the systems that sustain communities of plants, fish, and people. My background spans marine benthic ecology in Bermuda, coastal watershed research in Virginia, salmon habitat restoration in Washington, and riparian forest management in King County.

Whether I'm conducting SCUBA reef surveys, running GIS analyses on watershed health, or leading crews in invasive plant removal, I bring the same approach: careful observation, rigorous documentation, and a commitment to ecological outcomes that last.

Currently with the City of Redmond Parks Department, I focus on sustainable land stewardship while pursuing restoration leadership opportunities in the public lands sector.

Current Role
Maintenance Technician
City of Redmond Park Operations
Location
Redmond, Washington
Pacific Northwest
Technical Specialties
GIS & Spatial Analysis · Benthic Ecology · Chemical Vegetation Management · 3D Photogrammetry · Soil & Water Quality
Field Environments
Pacific Northwest Riparian · Coral Reef (Atlantic) · Coastal Wetland · Pacific Salmon Habitat · Urban Forest
Record

Field experience

Feb 2026
— Present
City of Redmond
Maintenance Technician, Park Operations

Managing vegetation, irrigation, and stewardship of public fields, facilities, and landscaped areas. Leading crew members in safety protocols and best management practices. Advancing sustainable park operations through pollinator habitat creation, water conservation, and waste reduction initiatives.

Vegetation Management Crew Leadership Pollinator Habitat Sustainable Practices
Apr 2024
— Oct 2025
King County DNRP
Park Specialist I — Restoration

Conducted forest and riparian surveys including tree boring, vegetation assessments, and waterway mapping to inform ecological restoration planning. Analyzed soil nutrient and water quality data to guide species selection and soil amendment. Managed chemical inputs across nursery operations — fertilizers, herbicides, and sanitation treatments applied to environmental best practices.

Riparian Survey Tree Boring Soil Analysis Pesticide Application King County
Jul 2025
— Aug 2025
BIOS, Bermuda
Research Assistant — Coral Reef Ecology

Conducted SCUBA benthic surveys monitoring reef community composition, disease prevalence, and larval recruitment at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences. Performed water quality assessments and 3D photogrammetry reef mapping. Contributed to coral physiology lab work including husbandry, tissue processing, and incubation experiments.

SCUBA Survey Benthic Ecology 3D Photogrammetry Coral Physiology Water Quality
Oct 2024
— Apr 2025
WA Conservation Corps
Production Officer — Salmon Habitat

Implemented salmon habitat restoration projects across ecologically sensitive sites, ensuring adherence to ecological plans, safety protocols, and project timelines. Applied mechanical, manual, chemical, and cultural methods to invasive plant management. Developed GIS assets to document site conditions, hazards, and project progress.

Salmon Habitat Invasive Plant Management GIS Asset Development Project Implementation
May 2020
— May 2023
William & Mary
Research Assistant — Coastal Ecosystem Health

Monitored soil and water metrics to assess coastal ecosystem health using peristaltic pumps, grab samples, soil probes, and passive samplers over three years. Conducted waterway testing and GIS analyses to evaluate development impacts on a culturally significant lake and surrounding forest. Presented findings and management recommendations to policymakers. Propagated over 1,500 native plants from seed, cutting, and tissue culture.

Coastal Monitoring GIS Analysis Policy Presentation Native Propagation Long-Term Research
Toolkit

Areas of expertise

Ecological Restoration

Riparian and forest restoration, invasive species management, native planting, salmon habitat work, and pollinator corridor development across Pacific Northwest landscapes.

GIS & Spatial Analysis

ArcGIS Pro, QField, and ArcPy workflows for vegetation mapping, site documentation, waterway analysis, and field data collection. Currently pursuing UW GIS Certificate.

Field Survey Methods

Tree boring, benthic SCUBA surveys, vegetation transects, soil probing, peristaltic sampling, and water quality assessment across marine, coastal, and terrestrial environments.

Marine & Coastal Ecology

Coral reef community composition monitoring, disease assessment, larval recruitment, 3D photogrammetry mapping, and coral physiology laboratory techniques.

Data Analysis & Monitoring

Long-term ecosystem monitoring, soil and water quality datasets, statistical analysis, and translating findings into actionable management recommendations for land managers and policymakers.

Chemical Vegetation Management

WSDA Public Operator Licensed (Aquatics Endorsement). Herbicide application, fertilizer management, nursery sanitation, and integrated pest management according to environmental best practices.

Work

Selected projects

Project 01 · King County DNRP
Riparian Forest Restoration — Green River Watershed

Forest and riparian survey work including tree boring and vegetation assessments to inform large-scale ecological restoration planning in King County. Soil nutrient sampling and water quality analysis guided species selection and soil amendment protocols across restoration plots.

King County DNRP · Apr 2024 – Oct 2025
Project 02 · Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences
Coral Reef Community Monitoring & 3D Mapping

SCUBA-based benthic surveys tracking reef community composition, coral disease, and larval recruitment at BIOS. Applied 3D photogrammetry to create high-resolution structural reef maps. Results presented to local community stakeholders to inform management and conservation priorities.

BIOS · Bermuda · Summer 2025
Project 03 · Washington Conservation Corps
Salmon Habitat Restoration — Pacific Northwest Sites

Led implementation of salmon habitat restoration projects across multiple ecologically sensitive sites. Applied integrated invasive plant management strategies — mechanical, manual, chemical, and cultural — and developed GIS assets to document site conditions, hazards, and restoration progress over time.

WA Conservation Corps · Oct 2024 – Apr 2025
Project 04 · William & Mary
Coastal Watershed Health — Long-Term Monitoring

Three-year study monitoring soil and water metrics in a culturally significant coastal watershed. Conducted GIS analyses to evaluate development impacts on key water sources. Findings and management recommendations presented to policymakers. Propagated 1,500+ native plants as part of active restoration efforts.

William & Mary · 2020 – 2023
Formation

Education & credentials

Spring 2023
B.S., Biology
Minor in Computer Science
William & Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Expected Spring 2026
Professional Certificate,
Geographic Information Systems
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Certifications & Licenses
WSDA Public Operator License — Aquatics Endorsement Spring 2025
Wilderness Advanced First Aid & CPR Winter 2025
PADI Open Water SCUBA Certification Active
Methods & Tools
ArcGIS Pro · QField · ArcPy
3D Photogrammetry (Reef Mapping)
Peristaltic Pumps · Passive Samplers · Soil Probes
Python · Data Analysis