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Although most of my working life I have been a chef, I am a soon-to-be Environmental Studies BA graduate with an empasis on Earth Science. In additon to the required courses for my degree, I have purposely added many science and math courses. A couple years ago, I received an internship with the Bureau of Land Management as a GIS technician. I was able to be outdoors all summer collecting sagebrush data on a GPS. I gained an enthusiasm for botany and was fortunate enough to see diverse countryside and gain a deeper understanding of local meteorologic patterns. For some time, I also had the opportunity to work on a Space Grant Consortium Project-BOREALIS. Here I was able get a brief introduction into electronincs and atmospheric science. Several weeks ago, I was also privledged enough to volunteer at the first BioBlitz on the Yellowstone River. This is a 24 hour count of all species found within an given location. I thought I was in Heaven! Bats, fish, insects, reptiles, mammals, plants... It was great to be out working with the scientists, various government agencies, and other "regular" nature lovers like myself.
From childhood on, I have always been fascinated with both the living and non-living entities of our natural world. I always made friends with and fed stray cats and tried to help injured birds. I have recently attempted to hatch a lone duck egg that had been left on my lawn, to no avail. However, I did get to see the miracle of life transforming before my eyes for that time. I was the kid that looked under rocks for bugs. I was the kid that stuffed rocks under her pillow.
Well, I still do all that (except I don't have to hide things under my pillow anymore). In my spare time, I enjoy wildlife watching, camping, pets, (very) ameteur astronomy, reading, and volunteering. Perhaps rocks are my favorite collectible-they contain pieces to the history of the Earth and even our solar system! I have also been fortunate enough to live within driving distance of Yellowstone Park most of my life. What a great ecosystem to learn from!
I would love to share a basic knowledge of our amazing world with you!