Archives: Members

Lech Naumovich has worked for numerous conservation organizations throughout the Western US contributing to vegetation and rare plant mapping, riparian restoration, and conservation easements and agreements. Lech currently works as an independent ecologist on conservation projects as a scientist as well as a videographer, photographer, and storyteller creating videos and marketing content for conservation. Much of his present work occurs in the Flathead Valley, Idaho’s Snake River Watershed, as well as the San Francisco Bay Area. He formerly served as a Commissioner on the Flathead Basin Commission and a supervisor on the Flathead Conservation District.

Sandy Beder-Miller has a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from University of Massachusetts (1977) and a Masters of Statistics (1979) from North Carolina State University. Sandy retired in August 2018 after working as a Forest Biometrician, Computer Programmer, and a Statistician for the U.S. EPA in Duluth Minnesota. She came to the pulp and paper industry in 1988 for Potlatch Corporation in Cloquet, MN first using her computer skills before settling in as a Pulp Mill Relief Supervisor. She later worked for a Boise Cascade Pulp and Paper mill in Eastern Washington in both Pulp and Paper making roles. She moved to a Pulp and Paper instrumentation supplier, BTG Americas Inc., in May of 2000 as a Senior Applications Specialist traveling North and South America specializing in fiber line applications and served on BTG’s global fiber line team advising the company on new products and performing some of the field testing. Sandy received the Howard Rapson Memorial Award from the Pulp and Paper Technical Association of Canada in 2015 for the best chemical bleaching paper presented at a technical conference. Sandy was excited to utilize her industry resource experience and statistical expertise as a member of the Flathead Basin Commission when she was appointed to the committee by the Governor in 2021 and is thrilled to continue with the Western Montana Conservation Commission.

Sandy has been married for 45 years to Larry Miller, a Forest Geneticist (now retired). Together they have raised 3 daughters (ages 44, 42, 39 years). They moved to Yaak, Montana in 2014. Sandy has become active in local community activities such as Lincoln County WINGS and is on the planning committee for the Yaak WINGS Annual Auction event. She is currently on the fund-raising committee for the restoration of the 99 year old Yaak Community Hall and previously served as a trustee on the Yaak Elementary School Board for 4 years. She is seen daily on the Yaak River Road getting in her 4-mile walk year-round.

Phil Matson is a Research Coordinator with the Flathead Lake Biological Station (FLBS), University of Montana, where he coordinates their program in Montana’s sustained push against aquatic invasive species. Phil has 22 years specializing in GIS and remote sensing, relating habitat complexity to biotic and anthropogenic metrics. He currently manages the GIS database for the Crown Managers Partnership and serves as their representative on the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Landscape Conservation Design team. Phil also oversees the data collection and publication of FLBS’s LakeNET Environmental Sensor Network, a network of remote meteorological and hydrologic sensors used for telemetry data modeling; is part of their long-term Flathead Lake Monitoring Project; and engages in various education and media outreach campaigns to local schools, student groups, and the general public.

While growing up in Minnesota, Matt spent much of his time outdoors, enjoying activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, and snowboarding. He traveled to Montana for numerous vacations while growing up and fell in love with the beauty and culture of western Montana, setting his sights on someday making it his home. Matt graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in civil engineering in 2010 and moved to Missoula in 2013 to work as a civil engineer with a focus on water resources. In the 10 years since moving to Montana, Matt’s appreciation for our state and our natural resources has only grown deeper. As a civil-water resources engineer, he works with clients throughout the state on projects that aim to make responsible use of- and protect our natural resources. His work has included replacement and preservation of irrigation infrastructure, stormwater management, development of transportation facilities, and remediation projects. Matt currently lives in Missoula with his wife and three kids. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with his family.