Kurtis Himmler Curator

Joined: Feb 12, 2015 Last Active: Apr 15, 2023 iNaturalist

I'm a birder and naturalist from New Jersey, currently living in Chicago. I've been a nature lover all my life, but I wasn't introduced to birding until I took a bird identification class during freshman year of college in 2013. I was immediately hooked, and birding is now my primary hobby. Inverts (especially pollinators) are my second love.

I did my undergrad in ecology at Rutgers University in New Jersey, and I went to grad school at Loyola University Chicago. I have worked as a field and lab tech on projects in native bee ecology, urban park restoration, and invasive wetland plant ecology. I have conducted my own research on the effects of hybrid cattail invasion on wetland bird communities. Throughout my education, I've discovered that while I'm a gifted learner and passionate naturalist, I may not be cut out for most ecology jobs. I'm currently trying to figure out how I can contribute wildlife conservation without going into academia and without getting a job that revolves around computer work. In the meantime, I'll continue enjoying the outdoors.

Few things bring me more joy than exploring new natural areas and observing the wildlife that inhabit them. I was hardly able to travel more than 5 hours away from home as a kid, so I have grown extremely travel-hungry as an adult. One of my long-term goals is to visit all 50 states and, in the process, learn all I can about the diverse and beautiful ecosystems this country has to offer. I'm especially looking forward to experiencing the deserts and mountains of the western US.

If you ever want to meet up and do something nature-related, feel free to email me!

Email: kurtis8himmler@gmail.com
eBird: https://ebird.org/profile/NDAxODE0/US

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