Ben Wright is an Associate Principal and Senior Fisheries Biologist with a varied background in lake ecology, stream ecology, fisheries biology, water quality and climate science. Ben has 13 years of experience at the federal level providing technical assistance for both the development of infrastructure projects and management of aquatic resources. He has experience developing biological assessments, water quality monitoring plans, fisheries management plans, salmon, and bull trout recovery plans. Ben has an additional 10 years of experience working on long-term ecological monitoring programs related to lakes, streams, water quality and climate. Ben conducted biodiversity assessments of fisheries, amphibians, stream benthic macroinvertrebrates and lake zooplankton at Mount Rainier National Park.
About
Ben earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Genetics and Cell Biology with an emphasis in aquatic ecology from Washington State University and has a graduate certificate in Fisheries Management from Oregon State University. Ben’s expertise includes endangered species monitoring (bull trout, chinook salmon, steelhead), assessments and permitting, SEPA and NEPA documentation across disciplines gained during his work on federal highway projects. He has experience designing and implementing construction and monitoring plans of flood protection structures (Engineered log jams, rock barbs, toe roughened revetments and levees), fish passage culverts and fish habitat restoration. Ben also has experience in fish population assessments, utilizing genetic analysis, spawning escapement, and movement studies.
Education and Professional Development
- B.S., Genetics and Cell Biology with emphasis in Aquatic Ecology – Washington State University, Pullman, WA
- Graduate Certificate in Fisheries Management – Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Professional Development
- Certified Electro fisher – NW Environmental Training Center
- Operational leadership – National Park Service
- Crucial Conversations – National Park Service
- eDNA Sampling Methodology – National Park Service
- Certified Fisheries Biologist – American Fisheries Society
- Qualified Fisheries Biologist/Wetland Scientist Pierce County
- Using the Revised Washington State Wetland Rating System in Western Washington
- How to Determine the Ordinary High-Water Mark
- Puget Sound Coastal Processes, Shoreline Modifications, and Beach Restoration
- Navigating SEPA
- How to Conduct and Forage Fish Survey
- Presenter at National Stream Restoration Conference (Edgecomb Creek Restoration)
- River Restoration Northwest Sediment Dynamics
Expertise
- Project Management
- State and Federal Permitting
- Aquatic Resource Management
- Fisheries Biology
- Fluvial Geomorphology
- Water Quality
- Stream Mitigation Design
- Long Term Ecological Monitoring