I have always been passionate about the environment and feel like my true self when immersed in nature – whether it be hiking, canoeing, scuba diving, or birding. After an early career switch from the humanitarian research sector, I spent several years coordinating biological monitoring projects focused on endangered species in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and back home in Ontario. In addition to hands-on work with birds, turtles, snakes, manatees, and benthic invertebrates, I have also been active in local communities to study the many complex human-environment relationships that promote or deter positive conservation action. I absolutely love birding and continue to learn more about local and migratory species as a volunteer at a local bird banding project.