about us

QUALIFICATIONS SUMMARY

Dr. Buckner has forty-one years of professional experience in the areas of applied plant ecology, plant taxonomy, reclamation, soils, and statistics. Project experience includes the design and execution of baseline vegetation and soils studies, evaluation of long-term natural and reconstructed plant community dynamics, development of reclamation plans for mine permit applications and hazardous waste covers, and analysis and reconstruction of wetlands. His projects have been performed in the states of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, California, and Texas, as well as Moquegua Department, Peru.

RECLAMATION / RESTORATION EXPERIENCE

Dr. Buckner has broad experience in the area of reclamation, revegetation, and restoration both from the standpoint of design and specification of materials and methods as well as the standpoint of evaluation of results in light of pre-construction performance standards.

He has been involved for the past twenty years in the detailed annual monitoring of revegetated surface coal mine workings in Routt County, Colorado, as well as sites in Rosebud County, Montana, Campbell County, Wyoming, and Navajo County, Arizona. He was senior author of a 1985 report to the U.S. Congress (Office of Technology Assessment) on the status of revegetation under state and federal regulations issued pursuant to the Surface Mine Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). He has overseen the vegetation and sediment control release formal bond release evaluations at mines in Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana pursuant to regulations of the Federal Office of Surface Mining (OSM) and various state regulatory authorities.

He has been involved with the design, construction specifications, and monitoring procedures for RCRA - equivalent covers for various sites at Rocky Mountain Arsenal in Adams County, Colorado. Part of this work had entailed the evaluation of test plots to assess the effectiveness of "ET" (evapotranspiration-based) covers proposed at the RMA site. Recurrent observations of the vegetational cover of these plots were made over a five-year period. He has also participated in the review and construction oversight of site closure seedings at the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant in Jefferson County, Colorado.

He has developed reclamation plans for several areas to be mined in the Rocky Mountain West in Carbon and Grand Counties, Utah, Mesa, Garfield, La Plata, Gunnison, and Routt Counties, Colorado, and Campbell and Carbon Counties, Wyoming. Dr. Buckner has also worked in the evaluation of reclaimability of coal, oil shale, and metal mill tailing projects through field plots and greenhouse studies, including those projects for AMAX Molybdenum, Anaconda, ARCO, Exxon, and Galactic Resources. Information from the above studies has been integrated into reclamation plans for permit applications. He has performed studies of natural rates of revegetation at historic mining sites near Bodie in Mono County, California and near Ely in White Pine County, Nevada.

Revegetation of pipeline rights-of-way has been a subject of applied research for more than thirty years. In 1969, he began long-term observations of a pipeline through alpine tundra vegetation on Rollins Pass in the Colorado Front Range. Observations on an alpine pipeline site near Fremont Pass in the TenMile Range were begun in 1970. From 1971 to 1973, he conducted analyses of rates of revegetation in varying vegetation types along gas and petroleum pipelines throughout western Colorado, southeastern Utah, and southwestern Wyoming.

More recently, he developed specifications in 1997 and 1998 for Public Service Company for the revegetation of a gas pipeline in Boulder and Jefferson Counties, including a reach across a sensitive

area on South Table Mountain near Golden, Colorado. For City of Boulder Open Space Department, he has designed and overseen the implementation of more than ten revegetation projects between 1994 and 1998. He was involved with development of specifications for and oversight of contractors conducting revegetation of the three Phases of a high-pressure water pipeline from Silver Lake to the Betasso Water Treatment Plant near Nederland, Colorado for City of Boulder Public Works Department from 1997 to 2004.

PLANT GROWTH SUITABILITY ANALYSIS

Analyses of growth media as to suitability for plant growth have been involved in several recent projects. Suitability of calcium carbonate-enriched subsoil materials has been explored as cover materials for use at Rocky Mountain Arsenal (Commerce City, Colorado) and at a limestone quarry in northern Boulder County. Suitability of nitrogen-enriched soils as environments for establishment for native seed mixes have been investigated at several sites in Boulder County. Suitability of soils affected by de-icing compounds has been explored during revegetation evaluations at Denver International Airport (DIA) in Adams County, Colorado.

VEGETATION BASELINE AND MONITORING STUDIES EXPERIENCE

Studies for the purpose of characterizing baseline vegetation conditions have been conducted for pipelines, coal surface and underground mines, gravel and limestone mines, powerlines, and recreational developments.

Projects within the past ten years: Baseline and monitoring studies have been conducted in the past ten years for Peabody Western Coal Company, Alpha Coal West (formerly Foundation Coal West, AMAX Coal West, Cyprus Energy, and RAG Coal USA), and Cloud Peak Energy (formerly Rio Tinto Energy America and Kennecott Energy)

Projects more than ten years ago: Projects have included those conducted for Adam's Rib Recreational Area, the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, the Public Service Company of Colorado, and the AMAX Molybdenum Company. Among clients for whom he has performed quantitative baseline vegetation studies for coal or uranium development have been the following: AMAX Coal, Big Sky Coal Company, Chaco Energy, Conoco Minerals, Dorchester Coal, Marline/Union Carbide, Mobil Oil, Neil Butte Coal, NERCO, Peabody Coal Company, Powderhorn Coal, Pueblo Coal, RAG Coal West, Seneca Coal Company, Texaco, and Texas Utilities Mining Company.

Quantitative monitoring of revegetated areas has been undertaken on mine reclamation sites, reconstructed wetlands, and native sites with plant communities of special concern. Data collected from these sites are often used to assess trends in vegetational development and to compare to performance standards that may be applicable on particular sites.

Inventories of open space lands for purposes of developing management plans were conducted for the City of Louisville Open Space Department. These inquiries consisted of floral inventories and plant community mapping with concentration on special interest issues of wetlands and prairie dogs. Quantitative vegetation monitoring of special interest sites on City of Boulder Open Space has gone forth annually on City of Boulder Open Space since 1990. He has contributed plant community monitoring data to on-going University of Colorado studies on the bio-control of diffuse knapweed (Acosta diffusa).

VEGETATION MAPPING

Vegetation baseline studies referenced above have all incorporated vegetation mapping. In addition, other projects centered explicitly on mapping have also been done. These include City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks lands field mapped and classified to Alliance level (ca. 1200 acres), Honeycomb Project (ca. 1500 acres, Rio Blanco Co., CO), and Horse Canyon (ca. 800 ac., Eureka Co., NV). Where available, the use of stereo photo pairs in discerning vegetation and landform variation has been critical to this work.

THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES EXPERIENCE

Dr. Buckner has assisted clients in determination of the presence or absence of plant species listed as threatened, endangered, or otherwise of special concern by federal, state, or other agencies. In addition to searches for plant species of special concern as part of all the above-mentioned vegetation baseline studies, projects with the sole purpose of assessing presence/absence of threatened or
endangered species have been completed in Grand County, Utah, Grand and Eagle Counties, Colorado, Mesa County, Colorado, and La Plata County, Colorado, and Campbell County, Wyoming. He has most recently completed a survey of and status report on Penstemon harringtonii in Eagle, Grand, and Routt Counties, Colorado for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and has conducted inventories of project sites for the presence of Ute Ladies'-Tresses Orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis) and/or Colorado Butterflyweed (Gaura neomexicana ssp. coloradensis) in Boulder, El Paso and Jefferson Counties, Colorado and Campbell County, Wyoming. He has been project manager for inventories of rare plant species along the Guanella Pass road between Georgetown and Grant in Clear Creek and Park Counties, and along the west side of Cottonwood Pass and Taylor River Canyon in Gunnison County. He recently has overseen the inventory of sites in Rio Blanco County for the presence of federally listed and BLM sensitive plant species.

WETLAND EXPERIENCE

Wetland studies for the purpose of inclusion in Army Corps of Engineers "404" permit applications have been completed for Peabody Western Coal, AMAX Molybdenum, Foundation Coal (AMAX Coal West), AMAX Resource Conservation Company, Gannett Fleming, Inc., Chicago South Shore Railroad, Muller Engineering, Myers Engineering, Rocky Mountain Consultants, for several Texas Utilities Mining Company projects, the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, and several municipalities. Surveys of the extent of wetlands on the Rocky Mountain Arsenal were conducted for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Most of the studies have included determination of extent and type of wetlands present as well as development of mitigation plans. A detailed study of the wetlands surrounding a Boulder County reservoir resulted in an analysis of specific impacts of proposed increased water levels in the reservoir; this work was followed by design and supervision of construction of 12 acres of new wetlands intended to replace those eventually to be lost. Another 12 acres of wetland was created through his design and was planted by Dr. Buckner in El Paso County (Colorado Centre Metropolitan District), Colorado.

OTHER EXPERIENCE

Dr. Buckner has provided technical input on the design of long-term care plans and vegetation specifications at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal.

Dr. Buckner has provided services in aerial photo interpretation for the purpose of vegetation mapping and evaluation of possible effects of scattered industrial facilities in landscapes of Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Texas, Illinois, and Indiana.

His experience includes several years of monitoring the vegetational recovery of pipeline rights-of-way in Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado, especially the alpine zone of Colorado. Other research conducted has concerned the effects of high snowfall on forest patterns in the central Rocky Mountains.

EDUCATION B.A. - Environmental Biology, University of Colorado, 1970
M.A. - Plant Ecology, University of Colorado, 1973
Ph.D. - Plant Ecology, University of Colorado, 1977

PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES
Society for Range Management
Sigma Xi, The Research Society of North America
Torrey Botanical Club
Society for Ecological Restoration
Ecological Society of America

CERTIFICATIONS
Certified Professional Ecologist, Ecological Society of America

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Service on High Altitude Revegetation Workshop Committee (under the organizational umbrella of Colorado State University), helping organize biannual conferences and annual field tours. Has participated in all 38 conferences since 1974.

Service on John Marr Fund graduate research grant committee since 1995. Has served as Chairperson since 2008.

Presented nine weekend workshops on the subjects of identification of grasses and sunflower family plants (1995 to 2007), as well as basic soils for the Colorado Native Plant Society and the Society for Ecological Restoration.

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

1986 to Date. Senior Plant Ecologist and Owner, ESCO Associates Inc., Boulder, Colorado. Serves in design and execution of baseline quantitative or qualitative vegetation and wetland studies, quantitative monitoring and bond release studies, restoration design and contractor oversight, threatened and endangered plant surveys, and studies addressing specific revegetation topics.

1985 to 1986. Plant Ecologist, Camp, Dresser & McKee Inc., Denver, Colorado. Served in design and execution of baseline quantitative or qualitative vegetation studies, threatened and endangered plant surveys, and studies addressing specific revegetation topics. Also developed, in conjunction with mining clients, reclamation plans for use in mining permit applications.

During this period his work also involved identification of wetlands potentially disturbed by lignite mining in East Texas. He also was involved with evaluation of the potential for reclamation of these wetlands. He contributed during this time to on-going efforts to stabilize tailing associated with the Anaconda copper smelter near Butte, Montana.

1980 to 1985. Plant Ecologist, Western Resource Development Corporation, Boulder, Colorado. Performed vegetation baseline studies at a variety of sites in New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. In over half of these baseline studies, Dr. Buckner also developed reclamation plans for the permit application. He has also conducted a baseline vegetation surveys that involved sampling and interpretation of uranium and thorium series radionuclides in the biological materials of the site.

1977 to 1980. Plant Ecologist, Camp, Dresser and McKee, Denver, Colorado. Performed baseline vegetation studies in New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming.

1975 to 1977. Plant Ecologist, Genge Environmental Consultants, Denver, Colorado. During this period Dr. Buckner conducted baseline vegetation studies at the proposed Lake De Smet coal mine near Buffalo, Wyoming; the proposed Peabody Coal Company Star Lake coal mine in northwestern New Mexico; and the Adam's Rib Recreation Area ski development near Eagle, Colorado.

1970 to 1977. Graduate student, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado. Performed consulting services through University Laboratory of Mountain Ecology for Man. Performed baseline vegetation studies and studies of rates of revegetation in semi-desert, montane, and alpine ecosystems. Also functioned in the capacity of Teaching Assistant in courses of Plant Ecology, Dynamics of Mountain Ecosystems, and Plant Physiology.

PUBLICATIONS / PRESENTATIONS

Buckner, D.L. and S. Downey. 2009. Patterns of Annual Brome Abundance in Reclaimed and Native Rangelands in the Northern Great Plains: A Case Study from the Big Sky Mine, Southeastern MT Proceedings paper of a presentation at 2009 Billing Land Reclamation Symposium, June 1-4, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Billings, MT. Joint Meeting with the American Society of Mining and Reclamation.

Buckner, D.L. 2008. Vegetational future of Colorado mountain vegetation - recovery following an infestation of trees. Proceedings of the 18th High Altitude Revegetation Workshop. Information Series No. 107, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.

Bush, R.T., T.R. Seastedt and D. Buckner. 2007. Plant Community Response to the Decline of
Diffuse Knapweed in a Colorado Grassland. Ecological Restoration 25(3): 169-174.

Buckner, D.L. 2006. Alternative Performance Standards for Species Diversity. Proceedings paper of a presentation at 2006 Billing Land Reclamation Symposium, June 4-8, Sheraton Hotel, Billings, MT. Joint Meeting with the American Society of Mining and Reclamation.

Buckner, D.L. 2006. Correlation of Plant Cover and Production with Annual Climate Parameters: An Example with implications for Bond Release Technical Standards. Proceedings paper of a presentation at 2006 Billing Land Reclamation Symposium, June 4-8, Sheraton Hotel, Billings, MT. Joint Meeting with the American Society of Mining and Reclamation.

Buckner, D.L. 2004. The ecological balance of restored area plant cover and diversity: Implications for mined land bond release. Proceedings of the 16th High Altitude Revegetation Workshop. Information Series No. 99, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.

Buckner, D.L. 2003. Developmental Ecology - Ecosystem Ontogeny and Bond Release. Presentation at 2003 Billing Land Reclamation Symposium, June 3-6, Sheraton Hotel, Billings, MT. Joint Meeting with the American Society of Mining and Reclamation.

Buckner, D.L. 2003. Reclamation of a Sandstone and Clay Quarry with no Topsoil: Use of Filter Fines as a Growth Medium. Presentation at 2003 Billing Land Reclamation Symposium, June 3-6, Sheraton Hotel, Billings, MT. Joint Meeting with the American Society of Mining and Reclamation.

T.R. Seastedt, N. Gregory, and D. Buckner. 2003. Effects of biocontrol insects on diffuse knapweed in a Colorado Grassland. Weed Sci. 51: 237-245.

Buckner, D.L. 2002. Long-term effects of tordon control of diffuse knapweed on plant community characteristics and the dynamics of knapweed. In: Proceedings of the 15th High Altitude Revegetation Workshop.

Buckner, D. L. 1998. History of Revegetation in the Western U.S. -- How the Way We Were Affects the Way We Are. In: Proceedings of the 13 th High Altitude Revegetation Workshop. Colorado Water Resources Institute, Information Series No. 91. Colorado State University, Fort Collins.

Buckner, D. L. 1996. Revegetation Rates on Copper Mine Wasterock in White Pine County, Nevada. Poster presentation: 12th High Altitude Revegetation Workshop.

L. Riedel and D. L. Buckner. 1996. Interim Results from Reclamation of a Rock Quarry
Near Eldorado Springs, CO: Talus Buttress Slope Topdressed with Water Treatment Plant
Filter Fines. Poster presentation: 12th High Altitude Revegetation Workshop.

Buckner, D. L. 1992. Revegetation Patterns and Rates at the Bodie Mining Area, Mono County, California. Poster presentation In: Proceedings of the 10th High Altitude Revegetation Workshop. Colorado Water Resources Institute, Information Series No. 71, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.

Buckner, D. L. 1992. Penstemon harringtonii, Rare Plant of Central Colorado. Poster presentation In: Proceedings of the 10th High Altitude Revegetation Workshop. Colorado Water Resources Institute, Information Series No. 71, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.

Buckner, D. L. 1990. Use of quantitative performance standards in revegetation of coal mines in the western U.S. In: Proceedings of the 1st Annual Meeting of the Society for Ecological Restoration, Oakland, California, Jan. 1989.

Buckner, D. L. and J. W. Marr. 1990. Use of sodding in alpine revegetation. In: Proceedings of the 1st Annual Meeting of the Society for Ecological Restoration, Oakland, California, Jan. 1989.

Buckner, D. L. and R.L. Wheeler. 1990. Construction of cattail wetlands along the Front Range of Colorado. In: Environmental Restoration: Science and Strategies for Restoring the Earth. Proceedings of the Restoring the Earth Conference, Univ. Cal. Berkeley, Jan. 1988. Island Press, Washington D.C. and Covelo, CA.

Buckner, D.L. and J.W. Marr. 1988. Alpine revegetation on Rollins Pass after 18 years. In: Proceedings of the Eighth High Altitude Revegetation Workshop. Colo. Water Resources Res. Inst., Information Series No. 59, Colo. State Univ., Fort Collins.

Buckner, D.L. 1985. Grass root penetration in TOSCO II processed oil shale. In: Proc. American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation, 1985 Meeting, Denver.

Buckner, D.L. 1985. Point-intercept sampling in revegetation studies; Maximizing objectivity and repeatability. In: Proc. American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation, 1985 Meeting, Denver.

Buckner, D.L. 1983. Combining measures of spatial and temporal variation: A historical record approach to obtaining baseline date. In: Proc. Symp. on Western Coal Mining Regulation Issues. Colorado State Univ., Range Science Department, Science Series No. 35. pp 84-86.

Buckner, D.L. 1978. Problems in the identification of threatened and endangered plant species. In: Proc. High Altitude Revegetation Workshop No. 3, Colorado Water Resources Institute Information Series No. 28, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. pp 17-22.

Buckner, D.L. 1977. The Origin and Maintenance of Ribbon Forest in the Central Rocky Mountains. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Colorado, Boulder. 425 p.

Marr, J.W., D.L. Buckner, and D. L. Johnson. 1974. Ecological modification of alpine tundra by pipeline construction. In: Proc. High Altitude Revegetation Workshop No. 1, Environmental Resources Center, Information Series No. 10, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. pp 10-23.