Thomas Pearce
About Thomas Pearce
Thomas Pearce is a Conservation Work Skills Instructor at the Student Conservation Association and a Wetland Mitigation Project Manager at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. He has extensive experience in conservation, project management, and environmental education, supported by multiple degrees in planning and resource management.
Work at Student Conservation Association
Thomas Pearce has been a Conservation Work Skills Instructor at the Student Conservation Association since 2013. In this role, he has contributed to various projects for over 11 years. Previously, he served as a National Crew Leader from 2013 to 2014, where he led teams in California and Alaska. He began his journey with the organization as a Corps Member from 2010 to 2011 in Hawley, Massachusetts. His experiences at the Student Conservation Association have shaped his skills in conservation and project management.
Current Role at Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Since 2018, Thomas Pearce has worked as a Wetland Mitigation Project Manager at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in the Madison area. In this position, he manages financial accounting for mitigation sales and oversees project development timelines for 13 wetland mitigation projects. He coordinates project submittals and approvals with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the EPA, ensuring compliance and effective project execution.
Education and Expertise
Thomas Pearce holds multiple degrees and certifications in relevant fields. He earned a Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning and a Master's degree in Water Resources Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, completing his studies from 2015 to 2018. He also obtained a Master's Certificate in Environmental Education from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2013. Earlier, he graduated from Bradley University with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and a Bachelor of Arts in History from 2006 to 2010.
Previous Experience in Environmental Education
Before his current roles, Thomas Pearce gained valuable experience in environmental education. He worked as a Naturalist at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center from 2012 to 2013, where he engaged with students in Finland, Minnesota. Additionally, he served as a Youth Crew Leader at the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps for four months in 2012 and as an Ecology Educator at The Ecology School for two months in 2013 in Saco, Maine.
Project Management and Oversight
In his role at the Wisconsin DNR, Thomas Pearce oversees contractors and manages project budgets for wetland restorations across Wisconsin. He is responsible for writing administrative code, program guidance, and standard operating procedures for the DNR In-Lieu Fee Wetland Mitigation Program. His expertise in project management ensures that wetland restoration efforts are effectively planned and executed.