How did you first get connected to Cedar Creek?
I had a plant physiology class with Tali Lee at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire that opened my eyes to the possibility of an environmental career rather than medicine. I applied for an Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) experience with Lee to work in the BioCON plots taking gas exchange measurements for the summer. When I was not taking measurements, I was working with the rest of the BioCON interns doing the maintenance and sampling tasks. After a summer of building great friendships and working outside everyday while watching the cranes near BioCON, I realized that this was the kind of work I wanted to do.
What does your day to day work look like at the reserve?
Each work day is a little different! My days involve anything from conducting safety training for interns on vehicles and ATVs to meeting with researchers about potential sampling plans and access to resources. I assist in recruiting people for our seasonal positions and I help organize data from field samplings. I assist with research efforts across a variety of Long Term Ecological Research projects. I even get out to the field to take root core samples or mark percent cover plots!
What’s your favorite thing about what you do?
I love supporting people in all career stages in their work at Cedar Creek. It is so rewarding to see young people see a future in ecology as they go through their summer experience here. I love helping to make Cedar Creek a place where graduate students feel like they have all the tools they need to be successful in the field and as they publish. I also love supporting visiting researchers so that they feel like Cedar Creek is a place where anyone can conduct research!
Do you have a favorite species that can be found in the BioCon plots?
I love all the BioCON species, but Lupinus perennis and Andropogon gerardii have a special place in my heart because I spent so much time working with them my first year!
