Born and raised in Billings, Montana, I moved to Florida, where I lived for 7 years before coming to VCSU. Living in two different regions gave me the understanding and appreciation of the vast variety of ecosystems we have in the United States. From camping in the Little Belt Mountains to fishing in the saltwater flats amongst mangroves, my love of the outdoors continues to grow. I enjoy spending as much time outdoors as I can, hiking, fishing, and volunteering. In North Dakota I experienced for the first-time ice fishing and waterfowl hunting. The Fish and Wildlife program at VCSU has deepened my knowledge and given me a greater perspective on how important our resources are for future generations.
I am very grateful to be going on the Texas trip with VCSU, to experience new ecosystems and the variety of species within them. I am excited to see the different fish species and how their characteristics connect with their environment. I am also interested to see the characteristics that differ from the ones in North Dakota. I look forward to having hands on experience with Texan reptiles and amphibians, bringing me back to my childhood, catching frogs in my backyard pond in Montana.