Joined: Jan 4, 2021 Last Active: Sep 30, 2024 iNaturalist
I graduated from the University of Oregon in 2024, majoring in Biology with an Ecology & Evolution emphasis and Chemistry minor. I am now a seasonal botanist with the Willamette National Forest.
I'm most interested in plants, mainly how abiotic factors influence their distribution on varying spatial and temporal scales. Plants confer to us a sense of place, making my dream to explore the world through the patterning and diversity of its flora. Wildflowers are my favorite group and the most well represented in my observations. I've been branching out into other taxa, such as insects and fungi, which has given me an even greater appreciation of the interconnectedness and diversity of life on this earth.
My love for flowers started with cutting roses in my backyard for use in floral arrangements. More recently, it has led me to confront an intense fear of spiders in the Amazon rainforest while pursuing orchids through calf-deep mud. Just a few years ago, I would've never guessed that I'd be spending so much time outdoors exploring the wonders of our ecosystems, but now I can't imagine doing anything different. At home in Oregon, you'll find me skiing or rafting while distracted by plants, or trying to convince my friends to listen to all my super exciting plant facts.