BLM names Ken Taylor as North Slope science initiative executive director

Ken Taylor began work Jan. 10 at the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management Alaska State Office as the North Slope Science Initiative executive director. The agency said Taylor will oversee the development of the North Slope Science Initiative, “an instrument to integrate inventory, monitoring and research activities across the North Slope of Alaska.”

This is a newly created interagency position supported by the state of Alaska, Minerals Management Service, U.S. Geological Survey, NOAA Fisheries and the North Slope Borough. BLM said Taylor will work with executive members of federal, state and local governments having North Slope land trust or scientific responsibilities “to ensure sound decisions are made to protect and sustain natural systems as the North Slope is developed.”

Taylor has almost 25 years experience in natural resource and energy positions for the state of Alaska and until recently was acting gasline coordinator for the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. Prior to that he was Alpine satellite project manager and director of the Habitat and Restoration Division in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

BLM State Director Henri Bisson said: “Ken’s many years of experience in wildlife and habitat management and his work with Native communities in rural areas and his experience with oil and gas issues in the North Slope makes him a tremendous asset to the NSSI team.”

Taylor has a bachelor of science degree from Colorado State University in biological science with emphasis in wildlife management.