This new series will provide an opportunity to find out more about SEFS staff members — what they do in their daily job and how they spend their time outside the office.

What is your role at SEFS?
I am Associate Director of UW Botanic Gardens. In that role, I manage the public education programs and the Rare Care program.

Tell us about your road to SEFS
I started my career as an environmental engineer, working mostly on water-related projects here in Washington. One of my hobbies was birding, and I participated on many raptor banding projects in Washington, Utah and New Jersey. While on a trip to southern South America to band and collect blood samples from peregrine falcons, I realized that I wanted to switch careers and study ecology. Although I love birds and still do, I was quite interested in studying patterns I was observing in nature, which led me to community ecology and an interest in plants. This led me to apply for the SEFS Masters of Science program in 2003 which was, at the time, the College of Forestry .

Tell us about your college experience
That was a long time ago! Overall I really enjoyed my time as a student and the opportunity to work with talented researchers and like-minded students. The fall field trip to Pack Forest was fun, and I absolutely loved my forest community ecology class with Linda Brubaker. It was a luxury to be back in school after working for many years.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in northern New Jersey. The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was essentially my backyard and I spent many weekends exploring and playing in the woods and following the paths through the swamp. My family spent two weeks camping every summer in the Adirondacks where we hiked many of the high peaks and took canoe trips on various lakes. I think my love of nature started there.

What are your favorite ways to spend time outside of work?
I love hiking, traveling and exploring. And of course botanizing and birding along the way. Which means sometimes I don’t get very far on my hikes… I also do a little gardening, but my yard is an embarrassment for someone who works at a botanic garden!

What inspires you?
I love nature, it’s that simple. Every day when I go for a walk, whether it is in the local woods, in the mountains, or in the shrub-steppe, I find inspiration in the beauty and complexity of nature. Working with other people who share this love and curiosity for nature, is deeply rewarding. I feel so fortunate to be able to make a meaningful contribution to plant conservation and help inspire the love of plants and nature in other people.