Joined: Jun 15, 2012 Last Active: Oct 29, 2024 iNaturalist
I love iNaturalist! From the moment I realized iNaturalist's ability to crowdsource biodiversity data, I've been hooked.
It is an honor and privilege to help set organizational strategy for iNaturalist and lead community fundraising & collaborations as Head of Engagement and part of the iNaturalist Leadership Team.
iNaturalist is connecting millions to nature & advancing biodiversity science, because people need biodiversity
and
biodiversity needs people.
I joined the iNaturalist team as the Stakeholder Engagement Strategist in February 2018. Before joining iNaturalist, I was a AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow at the National Science Foundation working on open data policy (2016-18). Prior to that, I worked at National Geographic on close collaborations with iNaturalist, particularly with the National Park Service for their centennial BioBlitzes (2014-16). I have a PhD in ecology and live in Washington, D.C.
I enjoy exploring the pockets of protected forest and other habitats in and around DC. I am especially trying to explore all of the trails and forests in DC east of the Anacostia River in wards 7 & 8. Here you can see where I've explored in DC so far. I also have a project for observations from my home.
My advice to new users:
I previously managed National Geographic's Great Nature Project which was a collaboration with iNaturalist. Before working for National Geographic, I got a PhD in Ecology (I studied seed dispersal in Tanzania and choreographed a dance about it). I'm a proud graduate of Earlham College which has a long history of training field biologists, educators, activists, and museum professionals. I was interviewed about Earlham and iNaturalist for a short video. I love meeting other iNaturalist enthusiasts and learning how to find and identify new things.
I help coordinate the DC area participation in the City Nature Challenge (see how we did in 2024!). If you want to be involved in DC going forward, please join the Google Group that we use for coordination.
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