I am approaching my 7th year of life and education as a traveling field biologist, conservation assistant and environmental educator. I have traveled around the western hemisphere for work but am slowly bringing my focus back to my home state of Ohio where I plan on becoming a natural resource manager, educator, scientist and community member. Right now I am starting another position with a local park district and am looking to overnight somewhere while I search for permanent lodgings. I try to live sustainably to demonstrate sustainable living concepts and save the world. I think couch surfing has potential for increasing the sustainability of travel. I enjoy meeting new people and hearing about what they do.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I think that it is important to make the most of trips to reduce carbon emissions. The easier it is to overnight somewhere and run more errands in one place the fewer trips need to be made. I am looking for people willing to take me in as I explore agriculture, environmental research, education and conservation.

I also work to try and build community where ever life takes me and I think that couch surfing meetups are a good way to make connections!

Interests

• ecology
• sewing
• community building
• conservation
• birding

Music, Movies, and Books

Some of my favorite books are Winter Study by Bernd Heinrich, Dune by Frank Herbert, When the Killing's Done by T.C. Boyle, Travels by Michael Crichton, 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann, Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer, Carrion Comforts by Dan Simmons, The Martian by Andy Weir, Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn

Some of my favorite movies to talk about are Phantasm directed by Don Coscarelli, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind directed by Hayao Miyazaki, Phenomena directed by Dario Argento, Alien and Jurassic Park

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

With the help of my crew mates I scared off a curious black bear that started following us in the tropical rain forests surrounding suburban Juneau, AK. In the employ or service of different groups I have rappelled out of palm trees in the Dominican Republic and a bridge made out of oil pipe in the Texas Hill Country. Held a living bobcat, white-tailed deer and a black bear in the UP for research.

Teach, Learn, Share

I believe in the liberal arts education model and in being a life-long student. I never know what I will learn each day. I am always interested in learning more about the fields I work in. I won't turn down an opportunity to learn though, even if I don't know how it is applicable at the time. Some things I am pursuing or would like to pursue more knowledge in are GIS, Spanish, engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, natural building, composting, sailing, knot-tying, film, automotive repair, natural dyes, sewing, leather working, wildlife management, construction, plumbing, earthen work engineering, entomology, nutrition, farming/gardening, kite aerial photography, advocacy, community building, and grant-writing to name a few!

What I Can Share with Hosts

environmental education, field science, conservation, botany, ornithology, entomology, sustainable living, cooking, permaculture, foraging, sewing, food waste prevention and re-purposing.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Dominican Republic

Countries I’ve Lived In

Dominican Republic, United States