Mahmood "Noon" Mokhayesh

Mr. Mokhayesh is a seasoned biologist and environmental compliance consultant with specialized expertise in the Mojave Desert ecosystem. He is highly skilled in the conservation and management of sensitive species, including the Mohave ground squirrel, desert kit fox, western burrowing owl, American badger and Mojave desert tortoise. His extensive fieldwork includes over 1,500 survey miles and compliance monitoring for major infrastructure projects.

Notable achievements include handling and tagging Mohave ground squirrels during mark-recapture studies and conducting habitat assessments for western burrowing owls, where he employed advanced techniques like camera trapping, down-hole scoping, and passive relocation.

With over 408 hours of fieldwork dedicated to the western burrowing owl, Mr. Mokhayesh has conducted preconstruction surveys, habitat assessments, and burrow inspections, supporting conservation efforts on renewable energy projects such as the Bellefield Solar Project and Aratina Solar Project. He has actively monitored burrow activity, observed owl stress behavior, and implemented habitat buffers and exclusion zones to mitigate construction impacts.

Similarly, his work with Mojave ground squirrels includes handling individuals across various life stages, biological sampling, tagging, and establishing trapping grids to support conservation and research. Mr. Mokhayesh brings extensive expertise in Mojave desert tortoise conservation, recognized by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as an authorized desert tortoise biologist. He has handled over 84 wild Mojave Desert tortoises, conducting health assessments, tagging, telemetry tracking, and assisting with blood draws and transmitter attachments. His work includes leading presence/absence surveys, excavating burrows, and monitoring construction activities to ensure compliance with USFWS protocols. His detailed knowledge of desert tortoise behavior and habitat has made him a critical contributor to large-scale infrastructure projects, ensuring the protection of this threatened species.

Mr. Mokhayesh complements his biological expertise with technical proficiency in tools such as ESRI Field Maps, Survey123, Wildnote, and Garmin Basecamp, ensuring precise data collection and reporting. As a United States Army Warrant Officer and HAZMAT-certified technician, he is equipped to operate on U.S. military bases, adding versatility to his compliance and monitoring efforts. His dedication to balancing development with ecological preservation underscores his value in advancing sustainable initiatives.

Additional biological experience includes California Red-legged frog, Foothills Yellow-legged Frog, Western Pond turtle, California Tiger Salamander, Vernal Pool Branchiopods, Southwestern Willow Flycatcher, San Joaquin Kit Fox. Additional skills and courses include project field crew leadership and backcountry camping, and basic wetlands delineation.