Nick Miller
Global Durable Freshwater Protection Scientist
Madison, Wisconsin
Nick Miller Global Durable Freshwater Protection Scientist © 2019 Nature and Human Photography
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Ecosystem service assessment, Conservation tool development, Watershed and wetland ecology,
Biography
As Director of Science and Strategy for The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin, Nick brings science to conservation approaches, policy, and practices through planning, monitoring, and collaboration. He is currently working with Wisconsin’s science and strategy team on nature-based solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change, ecosystem service assessments to drive wetland and watershed conservation, data-based assessment of the implications of wetland policy changes, online mapping tools to promote sustainable and equitable land use decision-making, sharing TNC’s conservation vision and data with partners, and development of approaches to track Wisconsin’s contributions toward TNC’s global 2030 goals.
Nick’s work focuses on Wisconsin and the Midwest; he has also provided science and strategy support for TNC’s national and global policies and projects (e.g., U.S. wetland and aquatic resources policy, the Bridge Collaborative, forest-water research in Chile) and conservation planning in South America and China. Prior to joining TNC in 2005, Nick managed a regional conservation program in New York of the Wildlife Conservation Society, designed approaches to align local development plans with biodiversity needs, and created watershed-based wetland restoration planning methods for Rhode Island.
Nick currently serves on the board of Gathering Waters and the science advisory board of the Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts. He has a MS in natural resources science from the University of Rhode Island and a BS in wildlife ecology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Miller, N., J. Kline, T. Bernthal, C. Smith, J. Wagner, A. Gries, L. Jack. (In preparation) Rollback of US federal wetland protections: Implications for wetland acres and functions in Wisconsin.
Palumbo, M., J. Straub, M. Al-Saffar, G. Soulliere, J. Fleener, M. Bergeson, J. Coluccy, A. Cruz, T. Finger, D. Fowler, B. Glenzinski, R. Griffin, S. Hygnstrom, G. Kidd, N. Miller, K. Van Horn, & K. Waterstradt. 2021. Multi-scale waterfowl habitat conservation planning in Wisconsin, USA. Landscape Ecology 36: 3207–3230.
Tallis, H., K. Kreis, L. Olander, C. Ringler, D. Ameyaw, M. Borsuk, D. Fletschner, E. Game, D. Gilligan, M. Jeuland, G. Kennedy, Y. Masuda, S. Mehta, N. Miller, M. Parker, C. Pollino, J. Rajaratnam, D. Wilkie, W. Zhang et al. 2019. Aligning evidence generation and use across health, development, and environment. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability 39: 81-93.
Liu, H., T. Jin, D. Li, L. Wang, L. Wang, Q. Guo, J. Higgins, N. Miller, J. Royte. 2018. Methods and Applications of Ecological Restoration Plans for Watersheds—A Case Study of River Restoration on the Penobscot in the U.S.A. Environmental Impact Assessment 2018(4).
Price, J.M., Silbernagel, J., Nixon, K., A. Swearingen, R. Swaty, & N. Miller. 2016. Collaborative scenario modeling reveals potential advantages of blending strategies to achieve conservation goals in a working forest landscape. Landscape Ecology 31(5): 1093.
Zedler, J., & N. Miller. 2016. Wetland restoration. In C.M. Finlayson et al. (eds.), The Wetland Book I: Structure and Function, Management and Methods. Springer. Netherlands.
Gnass Giese, E. E., R. W. Howe, A. T. Wolf, & N. A. Miller, & N. G. Walton. 2015. Sensitivity of breeding birds to the ‘‘human footprint’’ in western Great Lakes forest landscapes. Ecosphere 6(6): 90.
Swearingen, A., J Price, J. Silbernagel, R. Swaty & N. Miller. 2015. State-and-transition simulation modeling to compare outcomes of alternative management scenarios under two natural disturbance regimes in a forested landscape in northeastern Wisconsin, USA. AIMS Environmental Science 2(3): 737
Nixon, K. J. Silbernagel, J.Price, N. Miller, & R. Swaty. 2014. Habitat availability for multiple avian species under modeled alternative conservation scenarios in the Two Hearted River Watershed in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, USA. Journal of Nature Conservation 22(4).
Wilkinson, J., M.P. Smith, & N. Miller. 2013. The watershed approach: Lessons learned through a collaborative effort. National Wetlands Newsletter 35(1).
Miller, N., J. Wagner, & T. Bernthal. 2013. An ecosystem service-based watershed approach to wetland conservation in the Great Lakes basin. National Wetlands Newsletter 35(1).
Price, J., J. Silbernagel, N. Miller, R. Swaty, M. White, & K. Nixon. 2012. Eliciting Expert Knowledge to Inform Landscape Modeling of Conservation Scenarios. Ecological Modelling 229:76-87.
Zedler, J.B., J.M. Doherty & N.A. Miller. 2012. Shifting restoration policy to address landscape change, novel ecosystems, and monitoring. Ecology and Society 17(4).
Silbernagel, J., J. Price, R. Swaty, & N. Miller. 2011. The next frontier: Projecting the effectiveness of broad-scale forest conservation strategies. In (Li, C., Lafortezza, R., and Chen, J., eds.) Landscape Ecology and Forest Management: Challenges and Solutions in a Changing Globe. Higher Education Press, Springer-Verlag.
Miller, N.A., & M.W. Klemens. 2005. Freshwater wetland biodiversity in an urbanizing world. In (E. Johnson and M.W. Klemens, eds.) Nature in fragments: The legacy of sprawl. Columbia University Press, New York, NY.
Calhoun, A.J.K., N.A. Miller, & M.W. Klemens. 2005. Conserving pool-breeding amphibians in human-dominated landscapes through local implementation of Best Development Practices. Wetlands Ecology and Management 13:3.
Kline, J., T. Bernthal, M. Cain, A. Gries, R. Grasshoff, L. Jack, N. Larson, N. Miller, S. Peterson, & J. Wagner. 2021. Wetlands and Waterways in Wisconsin: Navigating Changes to the Federal Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule. Opportunities Now: An Analysis of Priority Issues and Actions for Wisconsin’s Natural Resources. Wisconsin’s Green Fire. Rhinelander, WI.
Miller, N., J. Kline, T. Bernthal, J. Wagner, C. Smith, M. Axler, M. Matrise, M. Kille, M. Silveira, P. Moran, S. Gallagher Jarosz, & J. Brown. 2017. Wetlands by Design: A Watershed Approach for Wisconsin. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and The Nature Conservancy. Madison, WI.
Tallis H, Kreis K, Olander L, Ringler C, D. Ameyaw, M. Borsuk, D. Fletschner, E. Game, D. Gilligan, M. Jeuland, G. Kennedy, Y. Masuda, S. Mehta, N. Miller, M. Parker, C. Pollino, J. Rajaratnam, D. Wilkie, & W. Zhang. 2017. Bridge Collaborative Practitioner’s Guide: Principles and Guidance for Cross-sector Action Planning and Evidence Evaluation. The Nature Conservancy. Washington, DC.
Wilkinson, J.B., P. Womble, E. Sweeney, M.P. Smith, N. Miller, S. Palmer, & K. Owens. 2014. Watershed Approach Handbook: Improving Outcomes and Increasing Benefits Associated with Wetland and Stream Restoration and Protection Projects. Environmental Law Institute and The Nature Conservancy. Washington, DC.
Miller, N, T. Bernthal, J. Wagner, M. Grimm, G. Casper, & J. Kline. 2012. The Duck-Pensaukee Watershed Approach: Mapping Wetland Services, Meeting Watershed Needs. The Nature Conservancy and Environmental Law Institute. Madison, WI.
Wagner, J., N. Van Helden, & N. Miller. 2009. Wetland protection priorities and restoration opportunities in the Sheboygan River Basin: Development and application of wetland functional assessments in Upper Mullet River and Kiel Marsh subwatersheds. The Nature Conservancy. Madison, WI.
Miller, N.A., M.W. Klemens & J.E. Schmitz. 2005. Southern Wallkill Biodiversity Plan: Balancing Development and the Environment in the Hudson River Estuary Watershed. WCS/MCA Technical Paper No. 8, Metropolitan Conservation Alliance, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY.
Miller, N.A. & M.W. Klemens. 2004. Croton-to-Highlands Biodiversity Plan: Balancing Development and the Environment in the Hudson River Estuary Catchment. WCS/MCA Technical Paper No. 7. Metropolitan Conservation Alliance, Wildlife Conservation Society. Bronx, NY.
Golet, F.C., D.H.A. Myshrall, N.A. Miller, & M.P. Bradley. 2003. Wetland restoration plan for the Woonasquatucket River Watershed, Rhode Island. Final Research Report prepared for Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. University of Rhode Island. Kingston, RI.
Miller, N.A. & M.W. Klemens. 2002. Eastern Westchester Biotic Corridor. WCS/MCA Technical Paper No. 4. Metropolitan Conservation Alliance, Wildlife Conservation Society. Bronx, NY.
Miller, N.A., F.C. Golet, & P.V. August. 2001. Options for mapping Rhode Island’s wetlands: Recommendations based on user needs and technical, logistical, and fiscal considerations. Final Research Report prepared for Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. University of Rhode Island. Kingston, RI.
Miller, N.A. & F.C. Golet. 2001. Development of a statewide freshwater wetland restoration strategy: Site identification and prioritization methods. Final Research Report prepared for Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. University of Rhode Island. Kingston, RI.
Hope for a Failing Planet
Isthmus - January 6, 2022
Wetlands That Mitigate Flooding in Northern Wisconsin at Risk Under Rule Change
WXPR - May 25, 2021
Preserve, Protet, Appreciate
WIDNR - Summer 2021
Biden Administration Begins Effort to Restore Federal Wetland Protections Changed Under Trump
WXPR - June 14, 2021
Beautiful and Resilient Bluff Country Landscapes Key for Species Survival as Planet Warms
Wisconsin State Journal - 2021
Half Of Wisconsin’s Wetlands To Lose Federal Protection, Conservation Groups Estimate
WXPR - August 13, 2020
New Wetlands Evaluation Tool for Land Trusts
Gatheringwaters.org - June 25, 2018
2021 Assessment Report: Wisconsin’s Changing Climate
Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts - 2021
The Nature Conservancy Climate Resiliency Mapping Tool
Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts - 2021
Mapping Tool Aims to Ease Clean Energy, Wildlife Conflicts
Wisconsin State Journal - February 13, 2022