I founded Signal Tree Labs to translate research into actionable decision support for land and resource managers facing complex management decisions. I hold a Ph.D. in Sustainable Forest Management from Oregon State University and bring 8+ years of post-doctoral research experience developing spatial analysis, remote sensing, and decision support systems for federal agencies and research institutions.
My work has focused on landscape modeling, climate vulnerability assessment, and monitoring design across aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. At the USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, I led projects on streamflow permanence prediction, riparian restoration prioritization, and novel remote sensing methods for monitoring. I am a Courtesy Professor at Oregon State University and have taught courses on GIS and unmanned aircraft systems applications in natural resources management.
My research has been published in Water Resources Research, Scientific Reports, Remote Sensing, and other peer-reviewed journals, and my work has informed management decisions for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and Oregon state agencies. My expertise spans spatial analysis, machine learning, cloud computing, and decision support system design.
Previous projects with which I have had association:
Google Scholar Profile / Key Publications:
- Burnett, J.D., et al. (2025). A streamflow permanence classification model for forested streams... Water Resources Research — demonstrates decision support and uncertainty quantification.
- Penaluna, B., Burnett, J.D., et al. (2022). UPRLIMET: UPstream Regional LiDAR Model... Scientific Reports —shows spatial modeling and predictive systems.
- Burnett, J.D., & Brendecke, W. (2020). Post-variable density treatment monitoring in dry site mixed coniferstands using unmanned aircraft systems... The 2019 National Silviculture Workshop — demonstratesmonitoring design and remote sensing applications.
- Hinshaw, S., Wohl, E., Burnett, J.D., et al. (2022). Monitoring Strategy for Stage 0 Restoration... Earth and Planetary Science Letters — directly relevant to monitoring design for adaptive management.
