About Me

The natural world has been my compass for as long as I can remember. What began as childhood curiosity grew into a lifelong pursuit of understanding, protecting, and celebrating wildlife — both through science and through art.

I earned my Bachelor’s in Wildlife Management in 2014, and since then I’ve been fortunate to work across a wide range of field studies, conservation projects, and environmental roles. Every experience has shaped the way I see the world and continues to inspire the artwork I create today.

Below is a look at the journey that brought me here.

SAVE THE FROGS! – Art & Conservation (2009)

My first step into conservation work began with amphibians. After discovering the newly formed nonprofit SAVE THE FROGS!, I reached out to founder Kerry Kriger with some artwork. That collaboration blossomed into T‑shirt designs, fundraising art, and eventually the creation of the organization’s first frog art contest — now a long‑running tradition.

I was brought on as the site’s Art Director, blending creativity with conservation messaging to help raise awareness for amphibian declines.

Bat Surveys with Vesper Environmental (2011)

My first true “boots‑in‑the‑field” job took place in Canton, Pennsylvania, where I assisted with surveys for the endangered Indiana bat. I helped set up equipment, collect data, and document the study area through photography.

Even though I couldn’t handle the bats directly (no pre‑rabies vaccination yet!), observing them up close was unforgettable and sparked my love for field biology

Karner Blue Butterfly Surveys – NY DEC (2012)

In 2012, I joined the Department of Environmental Conservation to survey the endangered Karner Blue butterfly in the pine barrens of Wilton, New York. My days were spent walking transects, counting butterflies, and learning habitat‑management techniques like girdling trees, brush‑hogging, and drainage work.

It was a summer filled with sunshine, data sheets, and countless photos of the wildlife that crossed my path.

Mine Kill State Park – Ranger & Artist (2013)

Mine Kill State Park became a second home. As a park ranger and the park’s resident artist, I balanced trail monitoring and public assistance with creative outreach.

I revitalized the park’s Facebook presence — growing it from 160 to nearly 500 followers in just three months — and launched an art auction encouraging visitors to create pieces inspired by the park. I also learned trail building and bird‑box construction along the way.

Eastern Whip‑poor‑will Research – UMass Amherst (2015)

In 2015, I assisted a graduate student studying Eastern Whip‑poor‑wills on Fort Drum’s military base. This project pushed me to grow as a field biologist: audio surveys, nest searches, vegetation sampling, and radio tracking were all part of the daily routine.

It was challenging, rewarding, and confidence‑building — a milestone in my wildlife career.

Mine Kill State Park – Head Ranger (2016)

Returning to Mine Kill, I stepped into a leadership role as Head Ranger. I supervised staff, trained new rangers, and took on personal conservation projects including culvert censuses, bird surveys, and bluebird trail restoration.

As my manager put it, the head ranger is the “eyes and ears” of the park — a responsibility I carried with pride.

Biological Technician – WEST Inc. (2018–2019)

From 2018 to 2019, I worked as a biological technician conducting post‑construction surveys at the Jericho wind farm in Churubusco, NY. My tasks included avian mortality surveys, scavenger‑rate studies, and searcher‑efficiency trials.

In winter, I shifted to Bull Run in Ellenburg, NY, performing pre‑construction raptor point counts. These roles sharpened my bird and bat identification skills and strengthened my field navigation abilities.

Wildlife & Fisheries Technician – NY DEC (2020–Present)

Beginning in 2020, I joined the DEC’s Wildlife and Fisheries team. I assisted with Adirondack brook trout stream surveys before transitioning into my current role as a creel surveyor on Lake Champlain.

My work focuses on collecting data from anglers across the northern bays — a blend of public interaction, fisheries science, and time spent on the water.

Where Science Meets Art

Alongside all these field experiences, art has been a constant in my life. I’ve been drawing since age two, and today I channel my love of wildlife into illustrations, stickers, prints, and educational content.

My goal is simple: to spark curiosity, celebrate biodiversity, and share the wonder of the natural world through both science and creativity.

Thanks for being here — I’m excited to share this journey with you.