I am passionate about advocating for nature. From a young age I was drawn to study the plants, animals, and wild places around me. My path has lead to incredible experiences, strong community connections, and a deeper understanding of my role in conservation. For over a decade as a zookeeper, I cared for a wide range of species that represented various ecoregions around the world. I engaged with guests, media outlets, conservation partners and industry leaders to inspire appreciation as well as actions to support field research, care, protections, and restoration of their habitats and wild populations. I had the honor to be selected as one of the speakers during the 2017 Houston March for Science, where I was able to share the important environmental stories of resilience and sustainability that I hold so dear. I am an avid birding enthusiast and spent 2 years serving on the Houston Audubon Young Professional Advisory Council, and am very proud of what we accomplished during that time. Serving as Agriculture Supervisor at The Henry Ford's Greenfield Village expanded my hands-on understanding of farming and allowed me the opportunity to impart knowledge and expertise in team building, husbandry skills, and public-facing education events.Along with my partner, I have purchased 12 acres of diverse habitat with the goal of improving the land through restoration and engaging with the community through education. Our business, Leaf and Feather Farms, is a private nature retreat with an emphasis on migratory birds in Southern Michigan focused on the unique native habitats, plants and animals that we share space with every day. Stewardship of this property is our absolute pleasure and represents the confluence of professional interests and personal passions. I am interested in pursuing opportunities that affirm and edify this journey.