GISC Board Members
Officers
President
Triston Hansford
Wildlife Resources Division
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Triston is a Wildlife Biologist for the Private Lands Program with Georgia Department of Natural Resources and formerly the Invasive Species and Ecology Specialist for the UGA – Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health. He received his BS in Natural Resource Management: Wildlife in 2021, began working for UGA in 2020 and began working for GA DNR in 2024. Triston has a passion for prescribed fire, habitat restoration and wildlife conservation.
Vice President
Caroline Shaw
Invasive Species Specialist
UGA – Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health
Caroline is the Invasive Species Specialist at the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia. She earned her B.S. in Biology from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in 2021. Before joining the Center, Caroline worked as the ANR Program Specialist and Educator at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture, where she created a curriculum for and managed the implementation of the Destination Ag field trip program.
In her current role, Caroline leads the development and implementation of adult education programs focused on invasive species in Georgia. She also manages data entry and manipulation for the EDDMapS and Wild Spotter invasive species mapping applications.
Secretary
Emilee is an entomologist for the U.S. Forest Service and is stationed in Athens, GA. She is a Georgia native and earned a bachelor’s and doctoral degree from the University of Georgia. Emilee has contributed to a number of projects in agriculture, urban, and forested settings, including investigating the use of native plants in landscapes, techniques to improve pollinator attractiveness and plant growth in urban settings, and native and exotic pests associated with tree (Celtis laevigata) decline throughout the Southeast. She has broad interests on the ecological impact of invasive species and is currently working on projects focusing on invasive species in the Piedmont.
Treasurer
Eamonn Leonard
Wildlife Resources Division
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
eamonn.leonard@dnr.ga.gov
912.262.3150
Eamonn is currently a Wildlife Biologist, for Georgia Department of Natural Resources. He has worked for the J.W. Jones Ecological Research Center at Ichauway and for the USGS in Idaho. Received a MS in Plant ecology (2007) from Utah State University. Eamonn has worked on habitat mapping projects, invasive species management, land conservation, habitat restoration with a focus on ground cover restoration, rare species conservation, and supervises staff that manage Ceylon WMA and Altama WMA. Eamonn sits on the Conservation Task force for Cannons Point on Saint Simons Island aiding in the invasive species management plan, is treasurer for the Georgia Invasive Species Council. Eamonn has also helped facilitate the creation of the Coastal Georgia Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area and acts as the lead coordinator for this group.
Board Members at Large
Paul McDaniel
Forest Health Coordinator
Georgia Forestry Commission
pmcdaniel@gfc.state.ga.us
Paul serves as the Forest Health Coordinator for the Georgia Forestry Commission, where he oversees efforts to monitor, manage, and mitigate threats from invasive species, pests, and diseases that impact Georgia’s forest resources. In past roles with the agency, Paul has served as a Water Quality Specialist, Management Forester and a Wildland Firefighter. A registered forester, Paul holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from Auburn University . His career reflects a deep commitment to sustainable forest management, proactive forest health strategies, and collaborative partnerships with landowners, agencies, and industry stakeholders
Jonathan Bamford is a forestry professional specializing in forest health and natural resource management. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management with a concentration in Forestry from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, where he developed a strong foundation in sustainable land stewardship, forest ecology, and resource conservation.
Following his academic training, Jonathan spent four years in the private sector as a consulting forester. In this role, he provided management guidance to landowners and oversaw field operations, including leading a crew focused on the identification and treatment of invasive plant species. His work emphasized practical, science-based solutions to improve forest conditions, enhance biodiversity, and protect long-term land value.
Jonathan currently serves as the Forest Health Specialist for Southeast Georgia with the Georgia Forestry Commission. In this capacity, he is responsible for monitoring forest conditions, addressing pest and disease issues, and supporting landowners with strategies to maintain healthy, resilient forests. His combined experience in both private consulting and public service enables him to approach forest management challenges with a balanced and informed perspective.
Stephanie Green
Ecological Resource Coordinator
Manager’s Office/Sustainability Office
Athens-Clarke County Unified Government
706.613.3838
Stephanie Green currently serves as the Ecological Resource Coordinator for Athens-Clarke County. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Biology from Berea College in Kentucky and a Master’s of Forestry with an emphasis in forest ecology from University of Kentucky. Stephanie is a central Florida native who has spent her career managing public and private conservation lands throughout the Southeast including Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi and now Georgia. Her interests include habitat restoration, prescribed fire and the impacts of invasive species. In her spare time she pretends to be a birder, and can usually be found with binoculars.
Alan Harvey
Professor of Biology
Georgia Southern University
aharvey@georgiasouthern.edu
912.531.2299
Alan is a biology professor at Georgia Southern University’s Statesboro campus. He received a BS in Biological Sciences from Stanford University (1981) and a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Arizona (1988). He has broad interests; a past president of the Georgia Entomological Society, he is the curator of the Georgia Southern University Herbarium, and recently had a photography exhibition at the Armstrong Art Gallery. At Georgia Southern Alan teaches the Invasive Species course, which addresses policy and outreach issues as well as the basic science of invasion biology. He and his students developed and implement an Invasive Species Management Plan for the Biological Sciences Building and surrounding environs, and conduct original research on the ecology and regional distribution of local invasive plants and animals.
Eric Shade, PLA, LEED AP has more than 25 years of landscape architecture experience providing technical proficiency and project management guidance to deliver project excellence. Led by a vision to serve people by realizing spaces for a variety of owners, developers, and users, Eric’s career in landscape architecture originates from his passion for the natural environment. His aptitude for working with multidisciplinary groups has enabled Eric to serve on diverse teams for an array of award-winning projects across the nation. In addition to his collaborative spirit, Eric’s mastery of creative design techniques, knowledge of sustainability measures, passion for plant material, and technical expertise make him an invaluable leader through all phases of development. Eric seeks out individuals, teams, and projects that allow for him to execute on the premise that as Landscape Architects, we exist to serve our partners by creating delightful circumstances for human growth and sustainability
Jim is a Senior Fisheries Biologist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) and is stationed in Waycross, GA. He is a Georgia native and earned a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife from the University of Georgia in 2000 followed by a master’s degree in Marine Science from Savannah State University in 2007. As a biologist with the GADNR, he oversees projects related to American shad and American eel, along with serving as the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Coordinator for the GADNR. This entails serving as the project leader for non-native catfish (flatheads and blues) removal efforts in the Satilla River; helping coordinate many of the statewide responses we have to ANS introductions; and developing and employing education and outreach efforts to inform students and adults about ANS in our state.
Just a little bit about myself, I’ve been with Buck Jones for 12 years and currently work in the sales department. I have worked in production and was the load crew manager for 4yrs. I have a business degree in management. My brother Buck and I are the grandsons of Buck Jones. Buck operates our ornamental tree farm in Gillsville Ga. We are third generation and plan to keep it rolling in the future.
Lisa Giencke
Senior Research Associate, Plant Ecology
The Jones Center at Ichauway
229.734.4706
Lisa Giencke is a Senior Research Associate in plant ecology at the Jones Center at Ichauway in southwest Georgia. She has a B.A. in Biology from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and an M.S. in Environmental and Forest Biology from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Lisa has been at the Jones Center since 2011. Her research interests focus on plant diversity in the longleaf pine ecosystem, including patterns of diversity, fire effects, conservation of rare species, and restoration.
Morgan Pierce
Land Management Technician
Conservation Department – Jekyll Island Authority
706.371.5325
Morgan is the Land Management Technician for Jekyll Island. She received her bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management: Wildlife in 2020. Before working on Jekyll, she worked a seasonal fire crew position in the Sam Houston National Forest out in New Waverly, Texas, then two AmeriCorps terms on Jekyll before starting full time in 2022! Her job focuses on habitat restoration, prescribed fire, invasive species management as well as Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake and Alligator research.
