Jesse Montes currently lectures in the Environmental Studies Department at the Royal Thimphu College in Bhutan and is a part-time technical advisor for a Canadian non-profit organization, Plateau Perspectives.  With his background in political ecology, natural resource management and Canadian environmental policy,  Jesse is also using his skills as a photographer to highlight and improve livelihood concerns of remote Himalayan communities.

Credentials

• PhD – Wageningen University & Research
• Professional Agrologist – registered with British Columbia Institute of Agrologists
• Environmental Professional – registered with Canadian Environmental Certification Approvals Board
• Masters of Natural Resource Management – University of Manitoba
• Bachelor of Arts (Environmental Studies) – The King’s University

Academic Publications

• Montes, J., Tshering, S., and Phuntsho, T. (forthcoming). Cosmological Subjectivities: exploring ‘truth‘ environmentalities in the Haa Highlands of Bhutan.  Conservation & Society. 
• Montes, J. (2020). Neoliberal environmentality in the land of Gross National Happiness. Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space, 3(2), 300-322. DOI: 10.1177/2514848619834885
• Montes, J. (2019). Environmental Governance in Bhutan: Ecotourism, Environmentality and Cosmological Subjectivities. Doctorate Dissertation. Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands.  
• Montes, J. and Kafley, B. (2019). Ecotourism discourses in Bhutan: contested perceptions and values. Tourism Geographies. DOI: 10.1080/14616688.2019.1618905
• Montes, J., Kafley, B., Suba, D., Dema, T., Dendhup, T. and Seldon, P. (2019). Ecotourism and Social Cohesion: Contrasting Phobjikha and Laya Experiences. Rig Tshoel, 2(1).  
• Montes, J. and Bhattari, S.R. (2018). Buddhist biopower? – Variegated governmentality in Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness agenda. Geoforum, 96, 207-216.
• Montes, J., Tshering, S., Phuntsho, T., Kagoda, D., Kafley, B., Wangmo, M., Subba, M.M., Wangmo, T., Jangchuk, and Dendup, T. (2018). Assessing Sustainability of Ecotourism Ventures in Bhutan. Rig Tshoel, 1(1), 5-22. 
• Spaling, H., Montes, J., and Sinclair, J.  (September 2011).  Best Practices for Promoting Participation and Learning for Sustainability: Lessons Learned From Community-Based Environmental Assessment in Kenya and Tanzania.  Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management, Vol. 13, No. 3., pp. 343-366.

Photography Publications

• Tashi Delek Magazine.  (July-August 2017). Daga La: A Thousand Lakes and More, (Story and Photography).  Bhutan.
• Tashi Delek Magazine.  (May-June 2017). A Trip to Laya and Beyond, (Story and Photography).  Bhutan.
• Tashi Delek Magazine.  (Jan-Feb 2017). Experiential Travel, (Story and Photography).  Bhutan.
• The New York Times.  (May 9, 2016). Wellness in Malibu; Hep in Planning for Bhutan, (Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Temple Photograph).
• Tashi Delek Magazine.  (July-August 2015). To Dungtsho – Trekking into the Clouds, (Story and Photography).  Bhutan.
• Kuzuzangpola Magazine.  (June-July 2015).  Trek to Phajoding and Tango & Chari, (Stories and Photography).  Adaptation of “Phajoding” and “Tango-Chagri“.  Bhutan.
• Kuzuzangpola Magazine.  (April-May 2015).  The Nub Tshonapata Trek in Haa, (Story and Photography). Adaptation of “4 Days in Haa“.  Bhutan.
• Outdoor Photography Canada. (Spring/Summer 2015). Issue 33.  “Mystic Rocks”.  Fall 2014 Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner.
• National Geographic Your Shot. (January 2015).  “The Hunter”.  First Light.
• UNDP-GEF.  (May 2014). “Spiritual Life” and “Education”.  Parks for Development.

Work Experience

• Social Sciences PhD Researcher (November 2015 – November 2019) – Wageningen University, Netherlands.
• Environmental Lecturer (July 2013 – present) – Royal Thimphu College, Thimphu, Bhutan.
• Photographer (2009 – present) – Montes Photography.  Commissioned event and photojournalism projects as well as fine-art landscape photography.
• Environmental Management Technical Advisor (March 2012 – present) – Plateau Perspectives, Xining, Qinghai, China.  Oversight and management of capacity building projects with focus on development of ecotourism in the Sanjiangyuan area.
• Environmental Management Officer (August 2008 – March 2012) – British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Victoria, Canada. Project management of policy and regulatory initiatives concerning waste management activities (wastewater treatment, composting, solid waste).
• Environmental Impact Assessment Researcher (July 2008 – September 2008) – The King’s University College, Tanzania.
• Masters Thesis Researcher (September 2006 – August 2008) – University of Manitoba, Kenya & Canada.  Review of environmental assessment processes for small-scale water supply projects in rural Kenya.  Received Masters of Natural Resource Management.
• Soil & Groundwater Remediation Technician (September 2005 – April 2006) – Biogenie, Edmonton, Canada. Large scale onsite remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater due to oil & gas operations.
• Wetland Hydrology Researcher (May 2005 – September 2005) – University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.  Researching impacts of logging on wetland hydrology in northern Alberta.