Biography matt.kraushar@wichita.edu Office: 620-584-6627
Matt attended Purdue University where he received his bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology and a minor in fisheries and aquatic sciences. He went on to earn a master’s degree in restoration ecology where his thesis was focused on the differences between mechanical and herbicidal control of undesirable species in native warm-season grass stands as well as the development of a novel seed coating technology for improving plantability of native wildflower species. While at Purdue, Matt served as the Habitat Specialist for the Cooperative Extension Service for the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources where he worked closely with various stakeholders involved in land management providing consultation and training from the research he was involved in. Matt has served as the Field Station Manager for a research farm associated with Wichita State University. In that role, he managed 500 acres of prairie and riparian habitat for their biology department and assisted in a variety of research projects.
MATTHEW S. KRAUSHAR
603 North Cedar Street Goddard, KS 67052
Phone: (812) 498-2478
Email: mattkraushar@gmail.com
CAREER INTERESTS
Wildlife habitat and forestry management; invasive species control; herbicide product development; natural resources research, extension and education.
EDUCATION:
M.S. Habitat Restoration Purdue University 5/2013
B.S. Wildlife Science Purdue University 12/2007
AWARDS
Indiana Ducks Unlimited District Chairman of the Year, 2011.
Burney Fischer Graduate Student Extension Excellence Award, Purdue University, 2009.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Field Station Manager- Wichita State University- August 2014-Current
Supervisor: William Hendry PhD
Responsibilities include the maintenance and management of 500 acres of prairie habitat as well as a 3000 square foot modern research facility to include, but not limited to, road and trail maintenance, invasive species control and prescribed burning. Oversee and assist in the installation and implementation of research on three properties. Engage various land management organizations to better manage acres owned by the university and the public alike. My research activities include herbicide use for vegetation management within native warm season grass and remnant prairie habitats. Disseminating knowledge gained through research and management activities to the public through public outreach events and invited presentations as well as incorporating into the departmental website.
Research Project Manager- Purdue University- February 2013 to February 2014
Supervisor: Richard Meilan PhD
Responsibilities include collecting growth data from field-grown poplar plantings at various locations (e.g., SEPAC, Pinney PAC, Hoosier Energy Merom Generating site, FNR Farm), weed control (both mechanical and herbicide) in plantation settings, pruning and singling transgenic poplar, poplar propagation through dormant stem cuttings, fertilization, and planting site preparation. In addition to these responsibilities supervision of work crew on a tree planting site on the Hoosier Energy Merom Generating site.
Farm Laborer- Purdue University- May 2013 to February 2014
Supervisor: Burk Thompson
Responsible for general farm management practices to include maintenance and operation of equipment to such as tractors and agricultural implements, skid-steers to include numerous attachments, manual transmission pickup trucks, ATVs and UTVs, sprayers, man lifts, forklifts, chainsaws and clearing saws, chippers, tree cutters, hedging equipment, skidders, bulldozers, backhoes, compactors, etc. These skills are utilized for the construction of deer exclosures, pest management, fertilization, and the care of trees and other habitat attributes. Regularly work as part of a multiple person crew on projects without direct supervision.
Graduate Research Assistant – Purdue University – August 2008 to December 2012
Major Professor: Harmon P. Weeks Jr. PhD
My Master’s research addresses the influence of seed coating technologies on the metering of seeds within different planter types and the effectiveness of herbicides to selectively control Canada thistle and common goldenrod. I am also involved in field studies evaluating various herbicide control measures for invasive species and the development of best management practices for Indiana roadside vegetation management as part of a cooperative research program with the Indiana Department of Transportation in an effort to save the State of Indiana 10% of its annual maintenance budget.
Extension Habitat Specialist- Purdue University- June 2009 to June 2012
Supervisor: Brian J. MacGowan
Responsibilities include dissemination of research regarding habitat restoration and invasive species management as they relate to private, state, and federal land management. Appointment consists of 50% research and 50% extension efforts directed towards habitat restoration, invasive plant control, herbicide stewardship, forest regeneration, and sustainable management of habitats in the Midwest. Individual private and public land owner consulting and outreach regarding the aforementioned areas of research in an effort to develop best management practices were completed on near daily basis. I connected with an average of 1500 individuals annually through one on one consulting, training workshops or certification programs. Further, as part of the
vegetation management research program, I supervised a multitude of employees who were responsible for daily data collection, herbicide applications and equipment maintenance. Website: https://web.ics.purdue.edu/~mkrausha
Habitat Restoration Research Technician – Purdue University – April 2005 to August 2008 Supervisor: Zachary E. Lowe PhD
I served in the field as a technician installing and collecting data on herbicide trials, grassland and savanna restoration projects. I also assisted in hosting multiple 200+ person field days in which industry, private and public property managers toured invasive species control efforts and native vegetation restoration projects.
Biological Intern– Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge- May-August 2004
Supervisor: Joseph Robb PhD
Skills used included habitat restoration and invasive species control, monitoring wildlife populations through nest and call surveys, measuring and monitoring vegetation, data entry for the various monitoring projects, visitor check-in and general refuge maintenance/operations to include some heavy equipment operation.
*References available upon request.
PUBLICATIONS
Kraushar, M.S., H.P. Weeks, Jr., Z. Lowe, & R. Meilan. 2013. Native Vegetation and Establishment in Prairie and Conservation Reserve Program Acres. Thesis. Purdue University.161 pages.
Kraushar, M.S., G. Nice, Z. Lowe, R. Chapman, & B. MacGowan. (2011) Control of Canada thistle in CRP and Other Non-Crop Acreage. Purdue Univ. Extension Pub.
Kraushar, M.S., J. Herold, & Z. Lowe. (2011). Integrated Vegetation Management for Indiana Roadsides. Proceedings for the Purdue Road School- highway maintenance section. Kraushar, M.S. (2011). Serious Green Roads and Bridges Magazine, 49 (7), 44-46.
Kraushar, M.S. (2010). Some Herbicide Recommendations for Various Invasive species.
Lowe, Z.E., & M.S. Kraushar. (2009). Herbicide Options to Control Woody Invasive Plants. Woodland Steward, 18 (3), 11, 15.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Purdue University
• FNR 548: Wildlife Investigational Techniques- Graduate Teaching Assistant (2009). Laboratory instructor primarily responsible for demonstrating wildlife techniques, creating and grading laboratory practical exams and quizzes, grading research papers, and developing and administering select lectures (~25 students per section).
• FNR 370: Natural Resources Summer Practicum- Teaching Assistant (2007). Laboratory instructor responsible for assisting professors in various forms of wildlife and other natural resources skills and techniques. Responsibilities included grading laboratory exams, quizzes and homework, and demonstrating various techniques and methods pertinent to natural resources career fields (75 students).
• FNR 225: Dendrology- Teaching Assistant (2005). Laboratory instructor primarily responsible for teaching students to identify 140 species of trees and shrubs, creating and grading practical exams and quizzes, leading review sessions, collecting samples for student self study (~15 students per section).
SELECT PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
National Roadside Vegetation Management Association, 2014. Huntsville, AL. Vegetation Management Economics: Mowing vs. Herbicide.
Kansas State University Integrated Pest Management Program, 2014. Emporia and Dodge City, KS. Why include herbicides in your vegetation management program.
Indiana Office of State Chemist Category 6 Pesticide Training Program, 2014. West Lafayette, IN. Weed identification and biology.
Indiana Office of State Chemist Category 6 Pesticide Training Program, 2014. West Lafayette, IN. Herbicide characteristics and wee management methods.
Indiana Office of State Chemist Category 2 Pesticide Training Program, 2014. West Lafayette, IN. Weed identification and biology.
Red River Specialties Inc. Continuing Education Program, 2013. French Lick and Fort Wayne, IN. Lessons learned from a vegetation management research project.
Mt. Lake Vegetation Management Association. 2012. State College, PA. Lessons learned from a cooperative research project: roadside vegetation management.
National Roadside Vegetation Management Association, 2010. Indianapolis, IN. Status of the Northeast States’ Vegetation Management Program
Society of American Foresters Midwest Meeting, 2008-12. Indianapolis, IN. Herbicide product and application techniques update.
Indiana Office of State Chemist Category 6 Pesticide Training Program, 2011-12. Weed identification, plant physiology and the impact of plant characteristics on herbicides.
Ohio State Pesticide Education Program 2010, 2012. Invasive plant identification and control techniques.
Northern Nut Growers Association, 2009.West Lafayette, IN. Forestry Herbicides and Application
Tristate Forestry Stewardship Conference.2008. Sinsiwa Mounds, WI. Forestry Herbicides 101 Ohio River Valley Woodland and Wildlife Workshop. 2008 Invasive plant identification and control.
*A complete list and dates of meetings, training and conferences available upon request.
Volunteer Experience and Affiliations
Ducks Unlimited
• Founding member of Purdue University collegiate chapter
• Eight year committee member
• Three Presidential Citation awards
• Repeat Sweet Sixteen chapter
The Wildlife Society
• Graduate Student Advisor for three years helping the student chapter
• Coordinated a mark-recapture study on cottontail rabbits
• Assisted in instructional deer check stations for three years at Crane Navel Weapons
Depot
Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
• House manager- cared for day to day operations of house maintenance
• Pledge Educator- provided instruction of fraternal lore to incoming members
• Chapter Counselor for Purdue University chapter: 2007-current
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
• Committee member of local chapter
Society of American Foresters
• Member of collegiate chapter and parent organization