Growing up on an acreage near Sioux Falls, South Dakota, much of my childhood was spent climbing trees, digging in the dirt, and catching insects in my backyard. Every summer, my family would pack up the minivan and travel to various state and national parks, which helped lead to my love of the natural world. In 2019, I graduated from Augustana University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Spanish and an emphasis in Ecology and Environmental Science.

In September of 2020, I joined the Leopold Foundation as an Education and Communications Fellow—a role that was instrumental in helping me to grow as a leader in the conservation field. Following my fellowship, I spent a year as the Landowner Education and Services Associate, working with our My Wisconsin Woods program to connect private forest landowners to resources and professionals around the state. Currently, I am focusing my efforts on our yearly Phenology Calendar, a project that inspires me (and hopefully you, too!) to become a better steward and observer of the natural world.