MAX BIGELOW

I have over three years of hands-on experience in land stewardship, reservoir maintenance, fisheries work, and prescribed fire, with a strong focus on conservation and land management. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Parks and Natural Resource Management and a master’s degree in Wildland Management.

I currently work as a Water Treatment Technician with Aqua Poppy, where I help operate and monitor mobile water treatment systems for stormwater and groundwater projects, collect water samples, and document field data to ensure environmental compliance. Experienced with water treatment processes, including chemical dosing and filtration.

• Active Treatment System Operator Certification
• Forklift Certified
• Wildland Firefighter Type 2, National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)
• S-130, Firefighter Training (Wildland), National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)
• L-180: Human Factors in Wildland Fire, National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)
• S-190: Introduction to Wildland Fire Behavior, National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG)
• IS-700B & IS-100C Intro to the National Incident Management System, FEMA

• Volunteer, Sacramento Tree Foundation, South Sacramento, CA. Assisted with community tree planting efforts by digging holes for saplings, unloading trucks with fertilizer, and working alongside other volunteers to transport wheelbarrows and watering cans to support newly planted trees.
• Volunteer, California Climate Action Corps, Chico, CA. Collaborated with community members on a habitat restoration project. Assisted with invasive species removal to promote biodiversity and improve overall habitat quality.
• Volunteer, Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park. Assisted Park Service staff with trail restoration by clearing overgrowth and debris using hand saws and other tools. Helped repair and maintain trails damaged by wildfire to improve safety and access for visitors.
• Volunteer/Workshop with The Sierra Fund. Participated in a three-day Cal-PBR Beaver Dam Analog (BDA) workshop at Yellow Creek near Lake Almanor, including camping on-site all three nights. Assisted with hands-on construction of beaver dam analogs and monitored piezometers to support stream restoration and hydrologic data collection.