Steve Rentmeester
Steve is a former watershed ecologist who now specializes in helping fulfill scientific researchers’ objectives through software. His satisfaction comes from seeing how technology enables Sitka clients to better manage natural resources throughout the Pacific Northwest.
“If we can give resource managers more timely access to higher-quality information about natural systems, it can lead to real improvements in the environment,” says Steve. “That’s a powerful benefit of technology.”
Prior to joining Sitka in January 2012, Steve spent 15 years working at the interface between ecology and information. For the last seven years, his work involved analyzing the information needs of salmon recovery research, monitoring, and evaluation programs in the Columbia River Basin. Steve’s experience also includes coordinating data management systems and tasks as an independent contractor at agencies such as Bonneville Power Administration and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service. He helped NOAA Fisheries develop a database structure for tracking measurements of water quality, fish populations, and stream habitat.
Steve holds a bachelor of science degree in forest ecology from The Evergreen State College in Washington and a master’s in aquatic and fisheries science from the University of Washington. Outside of work, he enjoys whitewater canoeing, back-country skiing, and hiking. Also, Steve and his wife have spent countless hours remodeling their home in North Portland over the past three years.
