Staff
Brian Butler M.S., President
Mr. Butler is the President of Oxbow Associates, Inc., a wetlands and wildlife consulting company providing a broad range of ecological services and specializing in rare and herpetofaunal wildlife study and mitigation. He has studied the ecology of herpetozoan species, and in particular turtles, native to the Northeast for more than twenty years. He has conducted field research with nine of the ten turtle species native to southern New England and has conducted studies and field investigations of several species of rare salamanders and a variety of vernal pool taxa. Mr. Butler has also conducted taxon-specific and general habitat and impact assessments for development projects in Massachusetts. Mr. Butler has consulted on projects with potential impacts to rare wetlands wildlife species ranging from subdivisions to highway expansion and military base conversions. Much of his work consists of reviewing project sites for local conservation commissions, the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, US Army Corps of Engineers and other regulatory agencies.
Mr. Butler conducts wetlands delineations, permitting and design of wetland restoration and mitigation plans and reviews wetland delineations for conservation commissions in Massachusetts and has been certified by the State of New Hampshire as a Wetland Scientist (Cert. #115). He presents workshops on wetlands ecology for regulators and special interest groups and has authored six peer-reviewed publications on northeastern turtle species’ biology and numerous popular articles and presentations on wetlands and wildlife subject matter.
Brian Butler M.S., President
Mr. Butler is the President of Oxbow Associates, Inc., a wetlands and wildlife consulting company providing a broad range of ecological services and specializing in rare and herpetofaunal wildlife study and mitigation. He has studied the ecology of herpetozoan species, and in particular turtles, native to the Northeast for more than twenty years. He has conducted field research with nine of the ten turtle species native to southern New England and has conducted studies and field investigations of several species of rare salamanders and a variety of vernal pool taxa. Mr. Butler has also conducted taxon-specific and general habitat and impact assessments for development projects in Massachusetts. Mr. Butler has consulted on projects with potential impacts to rare wetlands wildlife species ranging from subdivisions to highway expansion and military base conversions. Much of his work consists of reviewing project sites for local conservation commissions, the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, US Army Corps of Engineers and other regulatory agencies.
Mr. Butler conducts wetlands delineations, permitting and design of wetland restoration and mitigation plans and reviews wetland delineations for conservation commissions in Massachusetts and has been certified by the State of New Hampshire as a Wetland Scientist (Cert. #115). He presents workshops on wetlands ecology for regulators and special interest groups and has authored six peer-reviewed publications on northeastern turtle species’ biology and numerous popular articles and presentations on wetlands and wildlife subject matter.
Scott Smyers M.S., Field Biologist
Mr. Smyers is a Field Biologist at Oxbow Associates, Inc. a wetlands and wildlife consulting company specializing in rare amphibian and reptile study and mitigation. He has studied the behavior and ecology of amphibian and reptile species native to the eastern United States for more than 10 years. He has conducted field research on five species of turtles in southern New England including radio-telemetry studies on four state-listed species of turtle in Massachusetts: Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), eastern box turtle (Tarrapene carolina carolina), and wood turtle (Clemmys insculpta). In addition, Mr. Smyers conducted laboratory and field studies of three species of pond-breeding salamanders in southern Louisiana including Ambystoma opacum, A. maculatum, and A. talpoideum. He continues to work on independent research on the evolutionary biology and ecology of amphibians and reptiles in southern New England. His research interests include life history plasticity and population biology of amphibians, ecology of freshwater turtles, and the functional ecology of larval caddisflies in ephemeral ponds.
Mr. Smyers has provided consultation services for projects such as residential developments, utility easements, roadway improvements, airport expansions, and development within military facilities with potential impacts to wetlands and rare wildlife. In addition, Mr. Smyers has conducted amphibian and reptile surveys for The Nature Conservancy at two sites in Massachusetts. Mr. Smyers conducts amphibian and reptile surveys and habitat use studies. He also conducts wetland delineations, permit preparation, and designs wetland mitigation and restoration areas. He is also active in research associated with the ecology of organisms that inhabit ephemeral ponds, specifically amphibians, reptiles, and insects.
Mr. Smyers is a Field Biologist at Oxbow Associates, Inc. a wetlands and wildlife consulting company specializing in rare amphibian and reptile study and mitigation. He has studied the behavior and ecology of amphibian and reptile species native to the eastern United States for more than 10 years. He has conducted field research on five species of turtles in southern New England including radio-telemetry studies on four state-listed species of turtle in Massachusetts: Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), eastern box turtle (Tarrapene carolina carolina), and wood turtle (Clemmys insculpta). In addition, Mr. Smyers conducted laboratory and field studies of three species of pond-breeding salamanders in southern Louisiana including Ambystoma opacum, A. maculatum, and A. talpoideum. He continues to work on independent research on the evolutionary biology and ecology of amphibians and reptiles in southern New England. His research interests include life history plasticity and population biology of amphibians, ecology of freshwater turtles, and the functional ecology of larval caddisflies in ephemeral ponds.
Mr. Smyers has provided consultation services for projects such as residential developments, utility easements, roadway improvements, airport expansions, and development within military facilities with potential impacts to wetlands and rare wildlife. In addition, Mr. Smyers has conducted amphibian and reptile surveys for The Nature Conservancy at two sites in Massachusetts. Mr. Smyers conducts amphibian and reptile surveys and habitat use studies. He also conducts wetland delineations, permit preparation, and designs wetland mitigation and restoration areas. He is also active in research associated with the ecology of organisms that inhabit ephemeral ponds, specifically amphibians, reptiles, and insects.
Brett Trowbridge B.S., Field Technician II
Mr. Trowbridge is a Field Technician II at Oxbow Associates, Inc. a wetlands and wildlife consulting company specializing in rare amphibian and reptile study and mitigation. His field work has focused on vernal pool investigations, rare and endangered plant and animal habitat assessments, and wetland delineation.
Mr. Trowbridge has carried out wildlife studies for several of Massachusetts' state-listed species such as eastern worm snake (Carphophis amoenus) and four-toed (Hemidactylium scutatum; formerly listed), marbled, blue-spotted, and Jefferson salamanders. In addition, he has performed radio-telemetry studies with spotted turtle (Glyptemys gutatta; formertly listed), (Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta), eastern box turtle (Tarrapene carolina carolina), timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), and northern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix). Most recently Mr. Trowbridge has assisted with surveys and mapping of several state-listed rare plants within the Connecticut River Valley. Mr. Trowbridge also prepares local, state, and federal wetland and environmental permit documents as well as GIS based plan materials and maps.
Mr. Trowbridge is a Field Technician II at Oxbow Associates, Inc. a wetlands and wildlife consulting company specializing in rare amphibian and reptile study and mitigation. His field work has focused on vernal pool investigations, rare and endangered plant and animal habitat assessments, and wetland delineation.
Mr. Trowbridge has carried out wildlife studies for several of Massachusetts' state-listed species such as eastern worm snake (Carphophis amoenus) and four-toed (Hemidactylium scutatum; formerly listed), marbled, blue-spotted, and Jefferson salamanders. In addition, he has performed radio-telemetry studies with spotted turtle (Glyptemys gutatta; formertly listed), (Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta), eastern box turtle (Tarrapene carolina carolina), timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), and northern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix). Most recently Mr. Trowbridge has assisted with surveys and mapping of several state-listed rare plants within the Connecticut River Valley. Mr. Trowbridge also prepares local, state, and federal wetland and environmental permit documents as well as GIS based plan materials and maps.
Rachel Clancy Office Administrator
Ms. Clancy is a part-time Office Administrator at Oxbow Associates, Inc. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and her Certification in Interior Design from Sheffield School of Interior Design in New York. She is responsible for the overall business operations of the office, assisting staff in the preparation of filings with local conservation commissions, and assisting in the preparation and editing of project proposals and reports.
Ms. Clancy also owns her own Interior Design firm, rc design, www.rcdesignonline.com, and enjoys the flexibility that working at Oxbow Associates, Inc. affords her. She enjoys assisting Oxbow Associates, Inc. in its endeavors while growing her own business. She is a member of the Interior Design Society (IDS) and the Design Society of America (DSA). Additionally, she is a volunteer for Pets and People in Weston, MA, an organization that provides pet therapy visits to local hospitals, rehabilitation centers and assisted living facilities. She volunteers with her Labrador Retriever at Apple Valley Medical Center in Ayer, Ma.
Ms. Clancy is a part-time Office Administrator at Oxbow Associates, Inc. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and her Certification in Interior Design from Sheffield School of Interior Design in New York. She is responsible for the overall business operations of the office, assisting staff in the preparation of filings with local conservation commissions, and assisting in the preparation and editing of project proposals and reports.
Ms. Clancy also owns her own Interior Design firm, rc design, www.rcdesignonline.com, and enjoys the flexibility that working at Oxbow Associates, Inc. affords her. She enjoys assisting Oxbow Associates, Inc. in its endeavors while growing her own business. She is a member of the Interior Design Society (IDS) and the Design Society of America (DSA). Additionally, she is a volunteer for Pets and People in Weston, MA, an organization that provides pet therapy visits to local hospitals, rehabilitation centers and assisted living facilities. She volunteers with her Labrador Retriever at Apple Valley Medical Center in Ayer, Ma.
Ron Strohsahl B.S., Field Technician I
Mr. Strohsahl is a Field Technician at Oxbow Associates, Inc. a wetlands and wildlife consulting company specializing in rare amphibian and reptile study and mitigation. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology with a focus in ecology. During his time as an undergraduate he assisted in a research project responsible for quantifying the effects of temperature and prey availablity on the population of comb jellyfish (Mnemiopsis leidyi), in Narragansett Bay, RI. After graduating, he volunteered with the Barbados Sea Turtle Project helping to gather scientific data on the nesting success of the critically endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate).
Mr. Strohsahl is responsible for preparation of wetland and environmental permit documents and generation of GIS based plan materials and maps. He also assists in reptile and amphibian surveys, radio telemetry studies, wetland delineation, and report preparation.
Mr. Strohsahl is a Field Technician at Oxbow Associates, Inc. a wetlands and wildlife consulting company specializing in rare amphibian and reptile study and mitigation. He earned his bachelor’s degree in biology with a focus in ecology. During his time as an undergraduate he assisted in a research project responsible for quantifying the effects of temperature and prey availablity on the population of comb jellyfish (Mnemiopsis leidyi), in Narragansett Bay, RI. After graduating, he volunteered with the Barbados Sea Turtle Project helping to gather scientific data on the nesting success of the critically endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate).
Mr. Strohsahl is responsible for preparation of wetland and environmental permit documents and generation of GIS based plan materials and maps. He also assists in reptile and amphibian surveys, radio telemetry studies, wetland delineation, and report preparation.
Lori Roach B.S., Field Technician I
Ms. Roach is a Field Technician at Oxbow Associates, Inc. a wetlands and wildlife consulting company specializing in rare amphibian and reptile study and mitigation. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology with a concentration in environmental biology. Ms. Roach took many specialized courses as an undergraduate including oceanography, meterology, limnology, herpetology, map use and interpretation, and model systems and technology in embryology.
Ms. Roach is responsible for preparation of wetland and environmental permit documents and generation of GIS based plan materials and maps. She also assists in reptile and amphibian surveys, radio telemetry studies, wetland delineation, and report preparation.
Ms. Roach is a Field Technician at Oxbow Associates, Inc. a wetlands and wildlife consulting company specializing in rare amphibian and reptile study and mitigation. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology with a concentration in environmental biology. Ms. Roach took many specialized courses as an undergraduate including oceanography, meterology, limnology, herpetology, map use and interpretation, and model systems and technology in embryology.
Ms. Roach is responsible for preparation of wetland and environmental permit documents and generation of GIS based plan materials and maps. She also assists in reptile and amphibian surveys, radio telemetry studies, wetland delineation, and report preparation.