August 08 Issue - Employee Monthly Magazine

Protecting the environment, caring for wildlife

Ideal job for animal lover

Leslie Hansen cuddles her dogs, Freya (left) and Sammy, in her backyard, which she has turned into a canine training field. Photo by LeRoy N. Sanchez

Leslie Hansen of Environmental Protection considers herself fortunate to have a job that lets her do what she loves best—care for and work with animals while spending as much time as possible outdoors.

"I feel so lucky to live up here," said Hansen, who has been with the Laboratory since 1994. "There's beauty all around me."

Hansen said she's always been interested in animals. After considering zoology as a major, she obtained a bachelor's degree in forest resources, a master's degree in wildlife science, and a doctorate in wildlife management.

A biological resources compliance and monitoring team leader, Hansen helps ensure that the Laboratory is in compliance with the Endangered Species Act. Her team is responsible for implementing the Lab's Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Management Plan, which identifies the locations of suitable habitats for two federally listed endangered species occasionally found on Lab property: the Mexican spotted owl and Southwestern willow flycatcher. The plan provides guidelines for how to protect those habitats from disturbance and alteration, Hansen said. "We do annual surveys to determine the presence or absence of protected species," she noted.

The team also reviews Laboratory projects to ensure they comply with the management plan. "If a project can't comply, we support the project and the Los Alamos Site Office in consulting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service about identifying and mitigating the project's impacts," she explained.

Hansen's efforts aren't limited to bird life. In addition to investigating Jemez Mountains salamanders, she and her team have done research on elk and deer populations passing through Laboratory territory, which involved outfitting deer with GPS collars for tracking purposes.

In her spare time, Hansen is a trainer with the Los Alamos Dog Obedience Club, training dogs in obedience, agility, and herding. "I've turned my backyard into an agility field," she smiled.

Pointing to a photograph of herself and a white dog, she remembered, "It all began with 'Rat,' a mixed breed I rescued from the streets of Lubbock, Texas."

Hansen owns and trains Sammy, a dog she rescued, and three Munsterlanders, Loki, Yggi, and Freya.

"Training dogs is very relaxing for me," Hansen said. "Dogs have such enthusiasm, such joy in living."

—Tatjana K. Rosev