About us

Sound Science LLC was founded in 2004 by Dr. David Maddox and Dr. Robert Unnasch. Together they have over forty years of experience in adaptive management, biodiversity conservation, biological land management, urban ecology, experimental design, statistical analysis (including polling data) and interpretation, grant program administration, institutional learning and learning networks, and training.

They spent over 30 cumulative years at the Nature Conservancy consulting and training
that organization’s national stewardship staff on adaptive management and statistical methodology. Sound Science LLC has been broadly involved in creating training programs and learning networks that reached many hundreds of scientists and land managers in federal agencies and private conservation organizations. The essence of their approach is the central role that creative and focused information and data plays in the execution of good decisions.

David and Bob are joined by a broad array of staff and Advisors and Associates who offer diverse expertise and experience. Christine Wisnewski is Sound Science's Director of Projects, managing projects, administration, and the production of reports.

A list of selected recent and relevant publications by Sound Science staff can be seen here.

Sound Science LLC has a wide array of clients that includes large governmental agencies and NGOs.

Sound Science Associates and their subject areas

Sound Science LLC Associates work on various Sound Science projects in specific subjects areas. Current Associates are:

Water resources planning and management: Dr. David Braun

Land and management planning, prescribed fire: Michael Batcher, M.S.

Plant ecology, arid lands, grasslands; Dr. Cindy Salo

Information technology and development: Scott Santulli

Invasive species management: Dr. John Randall

Remote sensing, GIS, spatial ecology, rangeland condition: Dr. Jason Karl

Wildlife Biology, Forestry, Woodlot Management, Habitat Planning: Barry Schreiber, M.S.

Insect ecology, conservation biology: Dr. Tim Whittier

Fish biology and marine conservation: Dr. John Crawford

Sound Science Founders and Chief Scientists


David Maddox, PhD, Chief Scientist and Co-Founder
David is committed to the protection of biodiversity, the health of the natural environment, the implementation of effective ideas for the sustainable and productive use of natural resources, and the application of ecosystem services for human welfare. As a co-founder of Sound Science LLC and a long-time Nature Conservancy scientist, he has over 20 years of professional and entrepreneurial experience in conservation issues and natural resources management, and has published widely in scientific journals, books, and the semi-popular literature.

His work combines strategic management skills with the robust use of scientific research and principles to craft effective programs across a diverse range of natural resource issues for international NGOs and large government agencies. This has included strategic program management and research, urban ecology, livelihoods and the human-ecological connection, climate change, wind energy, endangered species, sea bird populations, statistical methodology, measures of success and impact, and evolutionary biology. He has consulted for a variety of organizations, including NatureServe, the Nature Conservancy, World Resources Institute, the USDA Forest Service, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, Earth Explorer Group for Environmental Education, the Lanzhou Center for Grassland Ecology (China) and the U.S. Army Environmental Command, and others.

As an entrepreneur in conservation, his consulting group, Sound Science LLC, has built a diverse client base, from large federal land management agencies, to the City of New York and opinion research consulting firms. In addition to his expertise in conservation biology and statistics, David is relied on for his communication and facilitation skills, as well as his ability to manage partnerships. He holds a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (with a minor in Statistics) from Cornell University.
View David's complete Bio.
Contact David

Robert Unnasch, PhD, Chief Scientist and Co-Founder
Bob has over 20 years experience in designing and managing ecological research
and monitoring programs. Research experience and publications in ecological
genetics, animal behavior and population ecology, plant population dynamics
and community, ecosystem and landscape ecology.  Experience in experimental
and sampling design, quantitative analysis of complex data sets, database
design and program management. 

Created and ran research grants programs that distributed over $1,500,000
in research funds each year for 15 years. Developed several training courses
on ecological  monitoring and the analysis of ecological data which have
been integrated into the core training of the Nature Conservancy,
the USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management. Co-created
a curriculum of training for the US Army Environmental Command. Created
and directed the Aridlands Grazing Network a 13 State initiative to foster
cross-site learning and adaptive management throughout the arid west. 

Currently co-directs the Grassland Conservancy Network, a tri-national
conservation effort to protect threatened and endangered grassland nesting
birds throughout North America. Primary- or Co-Primary Investigator
on several research programs; currently co-investigator on a $2.8 million,
multifaceted study on the ecology of encephalitis. viruses in the southeastern US.
View Bob's complete bio.
Contact Bob

Sound Science Senior Staff

Christine Wisnewski, MS (Director of Projects)
Christine has 15 years experience in every aspect of project management and coordination in support of conservation programs. As Sound Science's project manager, she administers contracts, coordinates the production of documents, writes and is chief editor.  As a program manager at the Nature Conservancy, Christine managed a $6 million competitive ecosystem research program, coordinated the department-wide planning and budgeting process, and provided financial review and training for senior management.

She is an experienced meeting coordinator and facilitator. As coordinator of a
state-wide water quality monitoring program in Pennsylvania, she managed
watershed analyses, trained volunteers on field sampling methods and provided
community outreach on the importance of healthy freshwater systems.

Christine holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns
Hopkins University, emphasizing environmental impact assessment and decision methods for natural resource management. 
Contact Christine

Sound Science Senior Associate

Cindy Salo, PhD
Plant Community Ecology, Sagebrush Steppe, Arid lands, Science Writing
Cindy is a plant ecologist committed to protecting the wild open landscapes of the Intermountain West. She has over fifteen years experience designing, managing, and describing ecological research projects. These have included investigating plant invasions and interactions in the Sonoran Desert, the Intermountain West, Mexico, and Senegal. Research topics have included both Mediterranean grasses spreading in the US West and Neotropical trees spreading in Africa. She has conducted research at the University of Arizona and the Department of Interior and published research results in scientific and popular venues.
View Cindy's complete resume.
Contact Cindy

Michael Batcher, MS
Land and management planning
Michael S. Batcher is trained as both an ecologist and environmental planner and has more than 20 years experience in ecological field studies and analyses, land use planning, and environmental planning. As a consultant, he provides services in biological surveys and conservation planning to state agencies and nonprofit conservation groups such as The Nature Conservancy, the Thousand Islands Land Trust, the Mohonk Preserve, Scenic Hudson, the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Department of Defense. Before becoming a consultant, Mr. Batcher worked for The Nature Conservancy, where he designed and managed ecosystem level research projects that involved collecting information at multiple scales. He was also responsible for stewardship of TNC preserves and for both biological and property management of those sites. He has extensive experience working with both public and private organizations to develop strategic planning and partnerships for conservation planning and the solution of environmental problems. He has experience in ecological management, including invasive species and fire management (qualified as a prescribed burn boss, RXB2) and has been trained in natural heritage program methods for mapping rare species and natural communities, methods used by the State of Vermont for stream assessment, and in wetlands delineation. He is experienced in the use of ARCVIEW 3.3, ARCGIS 9.2, and ERDAS Imagine as well as statistical analyses. He received a Master of City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania in 1980 and a Master of Science in botany from the University of Vermont in 1990.
Contact Michael

Scott Santulli
Information Technology and Development
Scott is a collaborative associate of Sound Science LLC specializing in information technology and website design and development.  Scott is an experienced technology executive with more than 20 years of technical team management and product development experience. Most recently Scott served as Vice President of Technology for The National Geographic Society’s Digital Media Division where he oversaw all technological aspects related to the delivery of digital content to the consumer.  Under Scott’s direction the Society’s web production efforts evolved from manually built and updated sites to an automated publishing system, and saw the creation of an in-house engineering department to support customized software development.  His leadership of the Society’s Digital Media program is characterized by increased performance, capacity and reliability of the Society’s website, one that handles on average 2,500,000 pageviews per day.  In addition to his experience overseeing the development and management of one of the web’s most popular sites, Scott has extensive experience with on-line product engineering, development of interactive reference products, and all aspects of on-line administration.  Scott is a strategic thinker with proven track record of innovation, building and leadership of high performance teams, and managing infrastructure and services necessary to meet the goals and objectives of the organization.
Contact Scott

John Randall, PhD
Invasive Species Management
John is Global Invasive Species Team Lead for The Nature Conservancy (TNC). He is based in and has courtesy appointment with the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of California, Davis. He oversees a Team of 9 core members and over 25 affiliates who spearhead TNC’s efforts to prevent new invasions to terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats at international and national scales, and to build the capacity of TNC’s state and country programs in the USA and 30 other nations to prevent and manage invasive species threats to biodiversity. The Team uses a variety of approaches to achieve these goals including promoting better on-the-ground management, research and advances in state, national and international public policy (public agency policy and actions, legislation, appropriations) as well as engaging industries and coalitions to voluntarily change business practices.

John received a B.A. in Biology from Cornell University in 1982, earned an MS in Marine Science at Louisiana State University in 1986 and completed a Ph.D. in Ecology at the University of California, Davis in 1991. His research project focused on the biology and control of the non-native invader, bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare) in Yosemite Valley. John joined TNC in 1991 where his first post was as Invasive Weed Specialist with responsibilities for providing information advice and assistance to TNC land managers across the USA. During the 1990s and through 2003 John built TNC’s Wildland Invasive Species Team with staff in Davis, CA, Portland, OR and St Louis, MO. He also helped found the California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) and served as its first president in 1993 and '94 and served on the Board through 2000. He is a member of the IUCN (World Conservation Union) Invasive Species Specialist Group and alternate TNC representative to the Global Invasive Species Programme Board of Directors. He co-edited the books Invasive Plants of California’s Wildlands (2000) and Invasive Plants: Weeds of the Global Garden (1996).

Jason Karl, PhD
Remote sensing, GIS, spatial ecology, rangeland condition
Jason's research concerns the development of a multi-scale framework for measuring and monitoring ecological condition of rangeland habitats.  He has also spent six years as Spatial Ecologist for the Idaho Chapter of The Nature Conservancy where oversees the Chapters’ development of GIS capacity and has supported the development and use of spatial technologies across the organization.  As an Associate for Sound Science Jason brings his vast expertise in remote sensing and GIS technologies to our projects.  His primary interest is in bringing the theories of spatial and landscape ecology to bear in practical applications for conservation.  Jason has spent a number of years evaluating remote sensing techniques for early detection and mapping of invasive species, he has worked on the implementation of mobile GIS/GPS technologies for monitoring conservation projects, and has worked with thermal infrared imagery as well as aerial inventory techniques using real-time GIS/GPS mapping. Jason is currently working on his doctorate at Michigan State University’s Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. 
Contact Jason

Barry Schreiber, M.S.
Wildlife Biology, Forestry, Woodlot Management, Habitat Planning
Barry Schreiber is a wildlife biologist with over 30 years of natural resource experience. In 1989, Barry established Fauna and Flora, a Wildlife and Forestry consulting firm. Fauna and Flora has conducted wildlife surveys, provided stewardship plans, and developed strategy and policy for a wide array of clients including Federal, State, County, City, Indian Tribes, Land Conservancies, Industry and many private landowners. Barry has conducted hundreds of wildlife surveys for threatened, endangered and sensitive species on tens of thousands of acres in conifer and hardwood forests, wetlands and grasslands throughout the Pacific Northwest. He has prepared numerous habitat assessments and associated management plans which promote wildlife conservation and enhancement for public and private landowners

Barry is a recognized expert in cavity-nesting habitat and has conducted habitat monitoring, bird use surveys and enhancement projects for over 20 years. He has been a leading voice in promoting conservation and management of Oregon white oak, which is among the most threatened habitat types in Western Oregon. He has prepared white oak management plans, implemented oak habitat enhancement projects, and has written and produced a white oak video series to inspire small landowners to action. Barry holds a Bachelor of Wildlife Science and a Masters Degree in Forest Science from Oregon State University. He has contributed to several publications on wildlife management and natural habitat protection and has been a guest lecturer in a variety of educational venues.

John Crawford, PhD
Fish biology and marine conservation
John is a Scientist with the Pew Environment Group and a Visiting Scholar with the Boston University Marine Program. He is dedicated to biodiversity and habitat conservation and has used his scientific expertise to help provide strong foundations for a number of strategic conservation efforts. In recent years he has devoted himself to promoting innovative conservation planning approaches for the ocean environment off New England. John has made extensive contributions to basic research on the behavior, sensory physiology and ecology of fishes and whales. He received his undergraduate training in Biology at Duke University and his PhD from Cornell. Prior to joining Pew, John was the Senior Scientist at the Conservation Law Foundation 2002-2008 and, prior to 2002, was a tenured professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
View John's complete resume

Tim Whittier, PhD
Insect ecology, conservation biology
Tim, a regular collaborator on Sound Science LLC projects, has over twelve years
experience with college level teaching, applied conservation and ecological research
as well as extensive experience working on community resource development and
volunteer management. Professor Whittier currently teaches Environmental Science,
Genetics, Ecology, Entomology and Ecological Monitoring courses for Northern Arizona
University and Arizona Western College and is the Science Coordinator for the campus
at large.  His research interests include development of a regional entomology collection
for the hyper-arid Sonoran desert of southwestern Arizona, monitoring restoration of the
Lower Colorado River riparian areas, exploring fire as a surrogate for flooding in hydrologically
altered ecosystems, and collecting seeds of native plants for placement in the world seed
repository in England. Professor Whittier directs a number of undergraduate intern-based
projects for the United States Geological Survey, Bureau of Land Management, Department
of Defense, and the National Science Foundation.
View Tim's complete resume.

Partial Sound Science Client List

Governmental Organizations
• U.S. Army Environmental Command
• U.S. Forest Service Continuing Education Program for Natural Resource Professionals
• U.S. Forest Service
• U.S. National Park Service
• U.S. Bureau of Land Management
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
• New York City Dept. of Parks & Recreation
• Grafenwöhr US Military Installation (Germany)
• Colorado State Insectary
• Idaho Fish & Game
• Clark Co., NV

NGO and Foundations
• Landscope America
• NatureServe
• Conservation International
• World Resources Institute
• The Nature Conservancy
• The Nature Conservancy of Long Island
• Conservation Data Center, Idaho
• Maryland Natural Heritage Program
• Institute of Ecosystem Studies
• Earth Explorer Group

Polling and Market Research
• Benenson Strategy Group
• Freedman Consulting LLC

Universities
• University of Alabama
• Lanzhou University Grasslands Center (China)

Recent and Representative Publications from Sound Science LLC Chief Scientists and Associates

Jacqueline W.T. Lu, Megan Shane, Erika Svendsen, Lindsay Campbell, Cristiana Fragola, Marianne Krasny, Gina Lovasi, G. David Maddox, Simon McDonnell, P. Timon McPhearson, Franco Montalto, Andrew Newman, Ellen Pehek, Ruth A. Rae, Richard Stedman, Keith G. Tidball, Lynne Westphal, Tom Whitlow 2009. MillionTreesNYC, Green Infrastructure, and Urban Ecology: Building a Research Agenda. 48pp.

Maddox, G. David and C. Wisnewski 2009. Measure Success. Landscope America. http://www.landscope.org/

Unnasch, R.S., D. P. Braun, P. J. Comer, G. E. Eckert. 2008. The Ecological Integrity Assessment
Framework: A Framework for Assessing the Ecological Integrity of Biological and Ecological Resources of
the National Park System. Report to the National Park Service.

Pilliod, D.S., C.L. Aldridge, R.S. Arkle, J.L. Downs, C.G. Homer, D.A. Pyke, D.A., L.F. Salo, J.D. Tagestad 2009. In review. Landscape-level monitoring of Greater Sage-grouse habitats using remote sensing information. Studies in Avian Biology.

Unnasch, R.S., T Korves, E Cupp, G Hill and T.R. Unnasch. 2009. An ecological systems model for Eastern
Equine Encephalomyelitis in the Southeastern United States. In press.

Kress, W.J., G David Maddox and R.L. Bartgis 2009. Genetic relationships and the taxonomic status of
Harperella, Ptilimnium nodosum (Apiaceae), and endangered plant of the eastern United States. 24pp.
Submitted to American Journal of Botany.

Washington-Allen, R.A. and L.F. Salo. 2007. Symposium Review: Icons and Upstarts and the Detection of Thresholds: Definitions, Perspectives, and Methods. Ecological Society of America Bulletin April, pp. 219-225.

D.P. Braun. 2006. Freshwater Fundamentals (Chapter 2, co-author), Focusing Freshwater Conservation Efforts (Chapter 3, co-author), Understanding Threats to Freshwater Biodiversity (Chapter 4, co-author) and Measuring Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation Success (Chapter 5, author) and Indicators of Freshwater Ecological Integrity (Appendix B, author), In N. Silk and K. Ciruna, editors, A Practitioner’s Guide to Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation, Island Press.

Salo, L.F. 2005. Red brome (Bromus rubens subsp. madritensis) in North America: possible modes for early introductions, subsequent spread. Biological Invasions 7:165 - 180.

Salo, L.F., G.R. McPherson, and D.G. Williams. 2005. Sonoran Desert winter annuals affected by density of red brome and soil nitrogen. The American Midland Naturalist 153:102-116.

Salo, L.F. 2004. Population dynamics of red brome (Bromus madritensis subsp. rubens): times for concern, opportunities for management. Journal of Arid Environments 57:291-296.

Unnasch, R.S., S.K. Rust, D. Leptick, R.C. Martin, G. Servheen, M. Terra-Berns. 2003. Monitoring and
Evaluation Plan for Idaho Wildlife Mitigation Projects. Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game.

Parrish, J.D, D.B. Braun and R.S. Unnasch. 2003. Are we conserving what we say we are? Measuring
ecological integrity within protected areas. Bioscience 53:851-860.

Muchoney, D. and R.S. Unnasch. 2001. Speaking the Language of Remote Sensing: How to use change
detection techniques for monitoring. Conservation Biology in Practice 2: 35-38.

Ottke, C., P. Kristensen, G David Maddox, and E. Rodenburg 2000. Monitoring for Impact: A Handbook
on Natural Resources Monitoring based on Lessons from 13 NGO's, Volume 1. World Resources Institute, 90pp.

Salo, L.F., J.F. Artiola, and J.W. Goodrich-Mahoney. 1999. Revegetation of a saline flue gas desulfurization sludge pond. Journal of Environmental Quality 28:218-225.

Salo, L.F., J.F. Artiola, and J W. Goodrich-Mahoney. 1997. Selected species and amendments for revegetating saline flue gas desulfurization sludge: Greenhouse study. Journal of Environmental Quality 26:1176-1181.

Salo, L.F., J.F. Artiola, and J.W. Goodrich-Mahoney. 1996. Plants for revegetation of a saline flue gas desulfurization sludge pond. Journal of Environmental Quality 25:802-808.

Kress, W.J., G David Maddox and S. Roesel 1993 Population genetics of the endangered semi-aquatic plant,
Ptilimnium nodosum. Conservation Biology 22: 225-230.

Bartgis, R.L. and G David Maddox 1991. Designing and implementing a riverine preserve for the endangered
plant Ptilimnium nodosum: Sideling Hill Creek as a case study. IN A.E. Schuyler (Ed.) Symposium on rare
plants of Pennsylvania. Bartonia 57: 49-52.

G David Maddox and R.L. Bartgis 1990 Harperella (Ptilimnium nodosum) recovery plan. US Fish and Wildlife
Service, Newton, MA, 60pp.

Sokal, R.R., and R.S. Unnasch. 1988. Geographic variation of hosts and parasites: evidence from Populus
and Pemphigus. Z. Zool. Syst. Evolut. forsh. 26:73-88.

Sokal, R.R., T.J. Crovello, and R.S. Unnasch. 1986. Geographic variation of vegetative characters of
Populus deltoides. Systematic Botany 11:419-432.

G David Maddox and J. Antonovics 1983. The ecological genetics of Plantago: Structural equation modeling
and plant performance. Ecology 64: 1076-1094.