Karen C. Hall, Ph.D.

• Direction of grant-funded eco-ed programs connecting diverse age groups and underserved communities to nature. 
• Management of multiple grant-based projects of varying size, including grant writing, budgeting, reporting, and stakeholder communication to sustain and expand program initiatives.
• Leadership and supervision of a team of nine staff  delivering the Sagebrush in Prisons (SPP), captive rearing of an endangered butterfly and Mojave Desert Plants programs across the American West.
• Coordination of partnerships with federal agencies and eleven prisons to support the propagation of native plants for post-wildfire restoration, including the annual production of over 490,000 sagebrush plugs.
• Oversight of the design, compilation, editing, and dissemination of ecological education curricula for incarcerated adults and broader audiences, integrating hands-on restoration and native plant cultivation.
• Implementation of certificate-based training for incarcerated crew members to enhance post-incarceration employment prospects, with a strong focus on access and inclusion for under-resourced populations.

• Oversight of bookkeeping and budgeting activities, including monitoring of income and expenditures, preparation of financial records, and support for annual budgeting processes.
• Management of human resource functions, such as handling staff issues, supporting hiring and onboarding, and contributing to development of internal HR policies and procedures.
• Administration and maintenance of organizational technology systems, including donor management software, phone systems, website, email, point-of-sale platform, and internet infrastructure.
• Ensuring reliability and currency of on-site computers and Microsoft Office Suite, including updates, troubleshooting, and coordination with vendors or technical support as needed.
• Preparation, submission, and tracking of grants, with development of metrics and assessment tools to evaluate internal efficacy and measure program outcomes.
• Enhancement of conservation messaging related to birds of prey by networking the Avian training team with the local STEM hub, editing and adapting educational materials for teachers, and facilitating access to supportive courses to strengthen outreach and educational impact.

• Led public outreach and local research initiatives focused on rangeland management and restoration, native plant conservation, and adult environmental education.
• Assessed local community and stakeholder needs and developed and delivered targeted educational content for adult audiences, leveraging BRIT's herbarium of over 1 million specimens to support evidence-based programming.
• Created templates, standards, and processes for BRIT’s emerging ranch and development consulting services, contributing to more consistent and scalable client engagements.
• Developed and implemented city-supported programming to increase the number of residents growing native plants, promoting sustainable landscaping and biodiversity.
• Led efforts to improve public understanding and acceptance of prescribed burns as a land management tool, communicating benefits and safety practices to diverse audiences.
• Facilitated county-wide stakeholder conversations with city and county officials, water-focused agencies, and large landowners to raise awareness of water conservation issues and enhance coordination and effectiveness of conservation efforts.

• Designed, built, and directed the statewide Master Naturalist program and coordinated the Master Gardener program for South Carolina within the School of Forestry, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.
• Developed and authored curricula for both programs, including the creation of comprehensive online program versions to expand reach and accessibility.
• Created and implemented a database system for capturing, tracking, and reporting volunteer service hours across the state.
• Planned, organized, and executed annual conferences for both Master Naturalist and Master Gardener programs, including programming, logistics, and stakeholder engagement.
• Developed and managed fundraising initiatives to support program sustainability, growth, and outreach activities.
• Led graduate student research projects, including a study on safrole degradation in Sassafras albidum using preparation methods informed by traditional knowledge.

• Taught undergraduate and graduate courses in plant biology, ethnobotany, senior seminar, and environmental science within the Department of Biology.
• Designed and developed multiple course offerings specifically tailored for pre-service and in-service science teachers, with emphasis on applied and field-based science education.
• Directed the HHMI-funded SC LIFE Summer Program for Research Interns (SPRI), pairing talented high school juniors with Clemson University research faculty for mentored research experiences.
• Coordinated all aspects of SPRI program administration, including recruitment and selection of student participants, matching with faculty mentors, and oversight of research activities and timelines.
• Co-taught field-based science courses for teachers, integrating hands-on research methods, local ecosystems, and best practices in inquiry-driven science instruction.
• Organized and executed research symposia under the SC LIFE program, providing platforms for HS juniors and teachers to present findings, share best practices, and engage with the broader scientific community.

"Ethnobotany with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: A path to sustaining traditional identity with an emphasis on medicinal plant use"

“An in vitro protocol including extraction and analysis of  Hydrastis canadensis, a native American medicinal plant”

Honors project: “Conservation of rare Appalachian endemic,  Geum radiatum through tissue culture”