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

Photography Publications

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.