I am an aspiring environmental educator and lifelong learner based in North Carolina with a growing focus on sustainability, environmental education, native plants, and the relationship between people and the natural world.

My interests are especially centered on plants and their roles within our communities and ecosystems. I enjoy learning about native and invasive species, plant identification, traditional and historical uses of plants and herbs, poisonous and potentially harmful plants, gardening, food production, and sustainable living. I am particularly interested in making this information practical and accessible so that people can better understand what is growing around them and develop a stronger connection to their local environment.

Much of my learning also comes through hands-on experience. Gardening, growing food, caring for animals, observing local plants and wildlife, and continually researching the natural world around me have encouraged me to pursue environmental education more seriously. I believe some of the most meaningful environmental learning happens when people can connect what they are learning to something they can actually see, touch, grow, observe, or experience in their own community.

I am currently expanding my education and professional development with the goal of eventually teaching others about sustainability, plants, ecosystems, conservation, and responsible interaction with the environment. I am especially interested in place-based and community education that helps people recognize the environmental resources that exist right where they live.

Outside of environmental education, I am also a small-business owner and have experience working directly with customers, families, and members of my local community. Entrepreneurship has strengthened my skills in communication, creativity, problem-solving, organization, and adapting information for different audiences—all skills that I hope to bring into my work as an environmental educator.

My long-term goal is to combine formal education with hands-on learning and community outreach. I would love to create educational programs, workshops, demonstrations, and resources that encourage people of different ages to explore nature, understand their local ecosystems, grow food and useful plants, recognize environmental hazards, and make informed decisions about sustainability.

I am excited to continue learning from other environmental educators while developing the knowledge and skills necessary to become an effective educator myself.