Growing up on a working farm in the North Carolina mountains, I developed an early connection to nature through exploring the woods, learning about plants, and building lean-tos as a child. Those experiences inspired a lifelong passion for environmental education, ecology, conservation, and experiential learning. I am especially interested in helping others understand the deep and often overlooked connections between humans and the natural world — from plants and pollinators to forests, wetlands, soil, and ecosystems. Through curiosity, observation, and stewardship, I hope to encourage a greater appreciation for the living systems that support and connect us all.