Tessa Putz

Tessa is broadly interested in the restoration of frequent-fire forests to reduce wildfire risk and increase resilience to climate change. Her research includes studying the effectiveness of prescribed fire in achieving these goals. She has degrees in environmental science, with a BS from University of Washington and a MS from University of Nevada, Reno. Her MS work involved studying variation of drought-resistant traits in sky island populations of ponderosa pine in the Great Basin. In her most recent position at UNR Extension, she was involved in collaborative science communication projects, including work with the Living With Fire Program. This experience, along with years of working for several natural resources agencies and universities across the West, has fostered her desire to produce and advocate for actionable science