Thomas is a Forest Ecologist with The Nature Conservancy working in Central Oregon on science-based approaches to advance forest restoration in frequent-fire adapted systems. His background includes a mix of forest and wildlife ecology with a career focused on land management strategies to promote biodiversity conservation and habitat connectivity. Thomas and team partner with the USDA Forest Service, and an array of local, state, federal, Tribal, and NGO partners collectively address landscape restoration needs and fire and climate adaptation strategies. His current work focuses on balancing fuels treatments, recreation, and wildlife objectives at stand and landscape scales, including work to promote prescribed fire use as a tool for restoring habitats and ecological processes.