About Randy
Randy is a biodiversity and restoration ecology expert with over 30 years of experience in native plant use and ecological integration for over 5,000 projects worldwide. He co-founded Rocky Mountain Native Plants Company, one of the largest native plant nurseries in the U.S. and has authored numerous publications on ecological restoration. Mr. Mandel has contributed to guidelines for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and led restoration efforts for disaster recovery in Colorado. His expertise includes revegetation, ecological restoration, biodiversity assessment, nature-based solutions, wetland and coastal resiliency, fire mitigation, mine reclamation, and sustainable infrastructure.
Affiliations
- Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) International Board – North American Representative
- Society for Ecological Restoration, Rocky Mountain Chapter (SER-RM) –President, Vice President, Scientific Chair (multiple terms)
- High Altitude Revegetation Committee (HAR) –President, Vice President (multiple terms)
- Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC)
- Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference – Co-Founder, Conference Chair, Executive Board (multiple terms)
- Colorado Riparian Association – (multiple terms) President, Executive Board
- Southern Rockies Seed Network – Cofounder, Vice President, Executive Board (multiple terms)
Publications
- Environmental Monitoring Strategies in Salmon Net Pen Aquaculture, 2022
- The Application of Engineering with Nature® Principles in Colorado Flood Recovery, 2022
- United States Army Corps of Engineers International Guidelines on Natural and Nature-Based Features for Flood Risk Management, 2022
- Long-Term Sustainability and Resiliency of Coastal Nature-Based Solutions: A Strategy Review with Case Studies, 2021
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See All Publications
- Environmental Monitoring Strategies in Salmon Net Pen Aquaculture, 2022
- The Application of Engineering with Nature® Principles in Colorado Flood Recovery, 2022
- United States Army Corps of Engineers International Guidelines on Natural and Nature-Based Features for Flood Risk Management, 2022
- Long-Term Sustainability and Resiliency of Coastal Nature-Based Solutions: A Strategy Review with Case Studies, 2021
- Living Streambanks: A Manual of Bioengineering Treatments for Colorado Streams, 2016
- Searchable River Revegetation Guide for Colorado, 2016
- Field Guide for Harvesting and Installing Willow and Cottonwood Cuttings, 2015
- Propagation protocol for oneseed and Utah juniper (Juniperus monosperma and J. osteosperma), 2005
- Propagation protocol for purple poppy mallow (Callirhoe involucrata), 2004
- Pitkin County Revegetation Guide, 2003
- Plant Reference Manual Rocky Mountain Native Plants Company, 2002
- Caring for the Land Series, V. III. Colorado Natural Areas Program, Colorado State Parks, Colorado Department of Natural Resources., 1998
- Grass Varieties in the United States, 1994
- A Review of Literature Concerning the Establishment and Maintenance of Constructed Wetlands using Scirpus, Sparganium, and Other Wetland Species, 1991