I have always had a passion for the natural sciences, especially that concerning the Earth's rich biodiversity. Teaching allows me to share my enthusiasm for these topics and, with a little luck, pass this enthusiasm and appreciation of nature to others.
Graduate work emphasized animal behavior, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Additional areas of interest/expertise include habitat restoration, conservation biology, renewable energy, sustainability and more.
Minnesota Nature Conservancy; Prairie/Oak Savanah restoration volunteer work
Austin Historical Society; Grand Meadow Chert Quarry Project volunteer
Austin Audubon Society; Board Member, Misc. volunteer projects
Austin Isaac Walton League; Misc. volunteer projects
Science Fair Mentoring Project volunteer
Quality Matters certification for General Biology I and II courses.
Service Learning: Since 2001, my students and I have contributed over 4000 volunteer hours to the Minnesota Nature Conservancy doing prairie/oak savanna habitat restoration work at the Weaver Dunes preserve (Winona area) and Ottawa Bluffs preserve (St. Peter area).
Riverland STEM Camp instructor 2018, 2019.