Kara Posso, B.S.
Staff Scientist, Geologist
As a proud Austin native, Kara earned a B.S. in Environmental Science with an emphasis on geology from the Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas at Austin in 2017. She is a Texas Registered Professional Geoscientist and a USFWS 10a permitted biologist for endangered karst invertebrates. Her experience with environmental compliance and conservation includes geologic assessments, void mitigation packages, presence/absence surveys for endangered karst species, freshwater mussels, and golden cheeked warbler, biological and hydrological monitoring, water quality sampling, invasive species control, regional habitat conservation plan applications, environmental resource inventories, geophysical (electrical resistivity) surveys, GIS analysis and cartography, cave mapping and cartography, and phase I environmental site assessments.
Kara joined Zara in May of 2021. She loves the Zara staff and the variety of project work that comes in the doors. Kara says "Zara has an amazing group of professionals with an expansive knowledge base in a variety of environmental topics". She has found herself learning something completely new from each staff member and appreciates the level of expertise and mentorship each person has to offer. She also says that the project work motivates her to stay engaged with several ever-evolving environmental compliance topics and often requires high-level technical proficiency for both fieldwork and reporting. "Each project comes with its own set of complexities that require our team to think critically and respond dynamically to accomplish project goals."
As a proud Austin native, Kara earned a B.S. in Environmental Science with an emphasis on geology from the Jackson School of Geosciences at the University of Texas at Austin in 2017. She is a Texas Registered Professional Geoscientist and a USFWS 10a permitted biologist for endangered karst invertebrates. Her experience with environmental compliance and conservation includes geologic assessments, void mitigation packages, presence/absence surveys for endangered karst species, freshwater mussels, and golden cheeked warbler, biological and hydrological monitoring, water quality sampling, invasive species control, regional habitat conservation plan applications, environmental resource inventories, geophysical (electrical resistivity) surveys, GIS analysis and cartography, cave mapping and cartography, and phase I environmental site assessments.
Kara joined Zara in May of 2021. She loves the Zara staff and the variety of project work that comes in the doors. Kara says "Zara has an amazing group of professionals with an expansive knowledge base in a variety of environmental topics". She has found herself learning something completely new from each staff member and appreciates the level of expertise and mentorship each person has to offer. She also says that the project work motivates her to stay engaged with several ever-evolving environmental compliance topics and often requires high-level technical proficiency for both fieldwork and reporting. "Each project comes with its own set of complexities that require our team to think critically and respond dynamically to accomplish project goals."
Certifications and Trainings:
Texas Registered Professional Geoscientist (#15382)
USFWS Endangered Species 10(a)(1)(A) Permit ESPER0004042
National Cave Rescue Commission (NCRC), Level 1 and Small Party Assisted Rescue (SPAR)
Open Water Scuba (PADI #18020S9032)
CPR/AED, Wilderness First Aid, and Stop the Bleed Certified
OSHA Excavation Safety in Construction
OSHA Stairway and Ladder Safety
Single Rope Technique for Caving and Rock Climbing
Organizational affiliations:
Underground Texas Grotto (President 2019-2021)
Texas Cave Management Association (TCMA)
Texas Speleological Survey (TSS)
Texas Speleological Association (TSA)
National Speleological Society (NSS)
National Cave Rescue Commission (NCRC)
United States Deep Caving Team (USDCT)
List of publications:
Luis Espinasa, Peter Sprouse, Kara Posso, Andrew Mitchell, Monika Espinasa, Jonathan Lin. 2023. Miocene divergence for Texoreddellia? An important component of the cave-adapted fauna of Texas and northern Mexico. Zootaxa, 5256(3), 267–278. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5256.3.3
Posso, Kara and McDermid, Krista. 2022. Military Bases may be Vital for Preserving Key Components of Karst Habitat: An Evaluation of Karst Preserve at Camp Bullis, San Antonio, Texas. 2021 National Cave and Karst Management Symposium Proceedings. Publication Data/Pages TBD.
Posso, Kara. 2021. Map of Pozo Viga, The Black Hole. The Texas Caver, Texas Speleological Association. May 2021, pp 13.
Posso, Kara. 2021. Military Bases may be Vital for Preserving Key Components of Karst Habitat: An Evaluation of Karst Preserve at Camp Bullis, San Antonio, Texas. 2021 National Cave and Karst Management Symposium: Program Guide. San Marcos, Texas. November 2, 2021.
Posso, Kara. 2019. NCRC Level One Training, South Central Region 2019. The Texas Caver, Texas Speleological Association. April 2019, vol pp 17.
Posso, Kara. 2019. Muzquiz Thanksgiving 2018. The Texas Caver, Texas Speleological Association. April 2019, pp 22-23.
Texas Registered Professional Geoscientist (#15382)
USFWS Endangered Species 10(a)(1)(A) Permit ESPER0004042
National Cave Rescue Commission (NCRC), Level 1 and Small Party Assisted Rescue (SPAR)
Open Water Scuba (PADI #18020S9032)
CPR/AED, Wilderness First Aid, and Stop the Bleed Certified
OSHA Excavation Safety in Construction
OSHA Stairway and Ladder Safety
Single Rope Technique for Caving and Rock Climbing
Organizational affiliations:
Underground Texas Grotto (President 2019-2021)
Texas Cave Management Association (TCMA)
Texas Speleological Survey (TSS)
Texas Speleological Association (TSA)
National Speleological Society (NSS)
National Cave Rescue Commission (NCRC)
United States Deep Caving Team (USDCT)
List of publications:
Luis Espinasa, Peter Sprouse, Kara Posso, Andrew Mitchell, Monika Espinasa, Jonathan Lin. 2023. Miocene divergence for Texoreddellia? An important component of the cave-adapted fauna of Texas and northern Mexico. Zootaxa, 5256(3), 267–278. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5256.3.3
Posso, Kara and McDermid, Krista. 2022. Military Bases may be Vital for Preserving Key Components of Karst Habitat: An Evaluation of Karst Preserve at Camp Bullis, San Antonio, Texas. 2021 National Cave and Karst Management Symposium Proceedings. Publication Data/Pages TBD.
Posso, Kara. 2021. Map of Pozo Viga, The Black Hole. The Texas Caver, Texas Speleological Association. May 2021, pp 13.
Posso, Kara. 2021. Military Bases may be Vital for Preserving Key Components of Karst Habitat: An Evaluation of Karst Preserve at Camp Bullis, San Antonio, Texas. 2021 National Cave and Karst Management Symposium: Program Guide. San Marcos, Texas. November 2, 2021.
Posso, Kara. 2019. NCRC Level One Training, South Central Region 2019. The Texas Caver, Texas Speleological Association. April 2019, vol pp 17.
Posso, Kara. 2019. Muzquiz Thanksgiving 2018. The Texas Caver, Texas Speleological Association. April 2019, pp 22-23.
In her free time, Kara participates in national and international cave exploration expeditions and seeks to advance her knowledge in the broad science of speleology. She enjoys expedition caving and has participated and lead several international and domestic projects [Cheve, Muzquiz, Silvertip, High Guadalupe Mountains, etc]).
She also enjoys cave map cartography, gravel and mountain biking, rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing and yoga. When not in the field for project work, you might find Kara on the South Austin Trail Network, the Barton Creek Greenbelt, or perhaps Riemer’s Ranch or the Austin Bouldering Project climbing gym. Kara has paddled sections of the San Marcos River, Guadalupe River, Colorado River, San Gabriel River, Pecos River, and the Rio Grande River and is always up for a new adventure with her 12 year old Shiba Inu, Peach. Connect with Kara on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kara-posso-pg-6a026114b |
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