PHOENIX, ARIZ. – Ann Widmer, aquatic biologist in our Denver office, has been named the Lawrence S. Semo Scientific Achievement Award winner for the fourth quarter of 2017.
Nominated by her peers, Ann is described as a go-to resource for 10 offices across SWCA for the development of efficient data management tools, rigorous study design and data structure, and high-end statistical analyses and data modeling. She has played a critical role in developing SWCA’s avian post-construction mortality models for wind farm projects. She provides data inputs for impact analysis models for sage grouse mitigation banking, and listed aquatic species.
Ann has worked for more than 10 years on one of the most contentious fisheries projects for the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission. She has published multiple papers and given presentations on peer-reviewed research in multiple categories, and has held every office available for the American Fisheries Society. She is a mentor to junior staff and a resource to senior staff. Ann epitomizes SWCA’s motto of ‘Sound Science, Creative Solutions.’
The quarterly Lawrence S. Semo Scientific Achievement Award rewards individuals for demonstrating passion, creativity, and scientific excellence in a manner that advances SWCA’s purpose, mission, vision, and values. The award is in honor of Larry Semo, who began working as a biologist for SWCA in Austin in 1993 and transferred to Denver in 1999. A respected and widely published ornithologist and all-around naturalist, Larry had an insatiable desire to learn and a great love for the outdoors until his untimely passing in 2011.