After a decade of work in ecological consulting, applied research and stakeholder engagement, Â鶹´«Ã½AV alum Lucas Phipps is trading his field hat for a faculty one. He joins the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources as an assistant professor of rangeland ecology and management.
Since earning an M.S. in rangeland ecology & management in 2019 from the College’s Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Science, Phipps has become a recognized voice in rangeland and wildland fire sciences. With a growing portfolio of more than $600,000 in research funding and collaborations with agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Phipps brings a rare combination of field expertise and applied research that strengthens both the College’s academic programs and its service to land stewards across Nevada and the West.
Drawing from his experience teaching professional development courses for wildland firefighters, who earn Office of Personnel Management credits through the offered by the University’s , Phipps will lead his degree-seeking students into hands-on, field-based exploration of ecological systems through courses such as rangeland restoration ecology and rangeland vegetation monitoring and data analysis. He will also conduct research as part of the Experiment Station, supporting land restoration and fire resilience across Nevada’s rangelands.
“Lucas brings a forward-thinking approach to rangeland science that aligns perfectly with our mission as a land-grant institution,” said Mike Teglas, professor and chair of the Department of Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Science. “His ability to connect students with real-world challenges while supporting Nevada’s land stewards makes him an exceptional addition to our faculty.”
In 2024, while serving as a private consultant focused on ecological restoration and land assessment, Phipps earned his doctorate in animal and rangeland science from the same academic department. He has served as a senior range specialist for the Great Basin Sagebrush Restoration Fund, a research initiative led by Professor Tamzen Stringham, a rangeland and riparian ecologist in the Department.
Phipps’ consulting work has spanned across the West, including in Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, California, Washington and Alaska, where he conducted biological assessments, rare plant surveys, post-fire rehabilitation and rangeland inventories, and mapping for the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and served as an expert witness for the Department of Justice on Tribal water rights.
“I’m incredibly grateful to return to the Â鶹´«Ã½AV in this new role,” Phipps said. “It is an honor to help guide students who are passionate about land stewardship and ecological resilience. Nevada’s rangelands are both delicate and vital, and I am excited to support the communities that depend on them through research, education and collaboration.”
