GK12 Montana State University

Growing up with a pond and a forest in my backyard; and family vacation trips camping, instilled a sense of wonderment and appreciations for the natural world.  This interest led me to study geology and be active in state forest conservation as an undergraduate at Indiana University.  After graduating college, I had a mix of experiences which allowed me to continue learning about the natural world, help protect it, and teach others.  After five years of seasonal conservation work, environmental education, and field surveys, I decided to return to school to pursue a Master’s degree.  Researching constructed wetlands allows me to continue learning about the natural world by studying wetland functions and plants and to promote conservation by improving the efficiency of a sustainable technology.  The GK-12 program gives me the opportunity to teach others about mimicking natural processes to create sustainable systems.  I hope to continue to be involved in work which blends science, conservation, and education with a career in wetland and riparian restoration.