EDUCATION

Certificate in Geographic Information Systems | University of Washington | 2022

Final project awarded first place in the WAGISA 2022 Student Competition

8-month, 3-quarter academic program including the following coursework:

  • Principles of Cartography & Design

  • GIS Data & Database Design

  • GIS Modeling & Analysis

  • GIS Project Planning & Implementation

  • Advanced GIS Analysis & Applications

  • GIS in Practice in the Pacific Northwest

Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology | Northeastern University | 2018

Magna Cum Laude Graduate, Minor in Environmental Studies

Three Seas Program | Northeastern University | 2016

  • Completed graduate-level fieldwork, lab work, and coursework at Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center (Nahant, MA), Friday Harbor Laboratories (San Juan Islands, WA), and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (Bocas del Toro, Panama)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

WA Department of Natural Resources | Olympia, WA | Mar 2024 – Current

Nearshore Ecologist (Natural Resource Scientist 3)

  • Lead scientific research focused on spatial ecology and integration of external datasets related to floating kelp and environmental conditions

  • Analyze remote sensing imagery to fill current and historic data gaps in floating kelp distribution, using a variety of methods including UAS and fixed-wing imagery

  • Communicate and publish findings for diverse audiences

National Audubon Society | Remote/WA | June 2023 – Mar 2024

Dangermond Fellow - Enterprise GIS

Puget Sound Restoration Fund | Bainbridge Island, WA | Apr 2020 – May 2023

Kelp and Oyster Program Specialist, Habitat Program Coordinator, Technician

  • Implemented nearshore restoration projects for native habitat forming species – bull kelp (Nereocystis luetkeana) and Olympia oysters (Ostrea lurida) in Puget Sound waters

  • Led GIS data acquisition in the field, management, and analysis for habitat team

  • Produced maps, graphs, layouts, and narrative for state and federal permit applications, project reports to partners and funders, and presentations to the public

  • Developed systems and protocols to collect, maintain, and utilize spatial, environmental, and biological data for intertidal and subtidal projects that are scientifically rigorous and meet reporting requirements

  • Coordinated logistics for subtidal and intertidal fieldwork

  • Collaborated with state, federal, Tribal and NGO partners

 

Cooke Aquaculture | Bainbridge Island, WA  | 2019 – Feb 2020

Aquaculture Technician/Net Pen Diver

  • Conducted plankton surveys, monitored water quality, and diagnosed causes of fish mortality

  • Inspected, maintained, and repaired floating net pen system on SCUBA

 

Northeastern University Three Seas Program | Panama  | Spring 2019

Teaching Assistant and Field Logistics Technician

  • Coordinated diving and boating logistics for Three Seas masters program students

 

Sound Experience | Puget Sound & Salish Sea, WA | Fall 2017, Fall/Winter 2018

Volunteer Coordinator/Winter Deckhand, Relief Engineer, Educator/Deckhand

  • Crewed aboard the 113’ traditionally rigged Schooner Adventuress and led programs for youth and adults environmental education programs in the southern Salish Sea

 

Sail Caribbean | British Virgin Islands  | Summers 2015, 2016 & 2018

Program Director, Captain, Marine Science Educator

  • Led two- and three-week multi-boat live-aboard sailing, diving, and marine science programs for high school and college students and supervised a staff of 6

 

Northeastern University Marine Science Center | Nahant, MA  | Summer 2018

Trussell Lab Field Research Intern

  • Worked on a long-term ecological research project examining population dynamics and community characteristics, conducting field surveys in remote environments

 

SKILLS

ESRI Software Suite including ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Enterprise, Experience Builder, Dashboards, Field Maps, Survey123 • Python Scripting for Geospatial Analysis • Data Analysis and Visualization in R • Google Earth Pro • GPS • GNSS Receivers • Adobe Illustrator • MS Office • Outlook • Google Suite • Public Speaking • AAUS Scientific Diver • DAN O2 Administration • First Aid/CPR/AED

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

G McKenna (2024) Creating an Organizational Cartography Guide. North American Cartographic Information Society Annual Meeting, Tacoma, WA. https://youtu.be/Bn4CYrF90wQ?si=jCEIqCOW2PfJHHFO

G McKenna (2024) Analyzing Changes in Seattle’s Kelp Forests with Historical Oblique Aerial Imagery. Washington GIS Associate Annual Conference, Tacoma, WA.

G McKenna, H Hilary, B Allen, J Florendo (2023) Kelp Forest Ecology, Conservation, and Restoration in Puget Sound. Vashon Center for the Arts Talks on the Rock Lecture series. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4yTKazzTAU&ab_channel=VashonCenterfortheArts

A Wolf, G McKenna, V Fox, C Ainsworth (2022) Bull Kelp Restoration Site Selection Tool. Washington GIS Association Annual Conference, online. https://youtu.be/-RG0Cfp8lcw?t=552

G McKenna, B Allen, HA Hayford, D Tonnes (2022) Kelp forest restoration in Puget Sound: Outplant techniques and lessons learned. Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference, online. https://youtu.be/7yBoVFYIfK4?t=1153

Hayford HA, G McKenna, B Allen, D Abbott, H Berry (2022) Building a collaborative network to quantify kelp forest ecology with SCUBA-based index sites in the southern Salish Sea. Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference, online

B Allen, HA Hayford, G McKenna (2022) An assessment pathway for Olympia oyster restoration. Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference, online

JE Toft, B Peabody, HA Hayford, B Allen, G McKenna (2020) Reimagining the kelp highway: A socio-ecological expedition to highlight Puget Sound’s marine forests. Western Society of Naturalists (WSN), online