Growing up outside of Pittsburgh, I found joy exploring creeks, chasing butterflies, and harvesting wild chives from the woods. While I have always appreciated nature, I did not feel empowered to seek out these experiences on my own until I traveled to the Swiss Alps when I was 21. This was the first time I climbed high enough into the clouds to sweat—alone. I returned to the eastern US ready to explore and since then have lived in Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and Upstate New York where I took full advantage of the ancient Appalachian mountains and their massively diverse ecosystem.

As an Environmental Educator, I have the unique opportunity of fully embracing nature both recreationally and professionally. Igniting a curiosity for nature in people around me is my passion, from sharing owl pellets with students to taking friends camping for the first time. My favorite part of a lesson is being interrupted by an excited student wanting to admire a purple mushroom or by someone fearfully discovering a spider on their jacket, shortly afterward becoming more comfortable with nature encounters. Please enjoy my reflections and experiences.