Favorite animal and ecosystem:
Great Blue Heron. Maybe not the rarest of birds, but to me they are beautiful and wild in an almost prehistoric way, graceful, patient and adaptable. Favorite habitat is probably a tie between northeastern hardwood forests and CA salt marshes.
Favorite thing to do when not working:
I have lots of favorites; gardening, hiking, paddling and hanging with my littles.
Role model:
Rachel Carson – total trailblazer for women in science!
Childhood career ambition:
An “explorer.” I think I imagined myself a female Indiana Jones meets Rachel Carson? Ziplines and caves were definitely involved.
Music that instantly puts Rachel in a good mood:
James Brown
Rachel is originally from:
Meadville, PA
Special talent:
I LOVE to cook and especially love to experiment with new foods and interesting combinations.
Most memorable experience in nature:
Banf and Jasper National Parks in B.C. was one of the most stunning nature-inspired trips we have taken.
Favorite food:
Homemade pasta and sauce – Grandma’s recipe.
Further Reading
Biohabitats receives ASLA’s highest honorMeet Water Resources Engineer Emily Beacham
Meet Landscape Designer Emma Podietz
Get to Know Ecologist Caroline Hildebrand
Get to know Water Resources Engineer Nate Wadley
More From This Author
Get to Know Ecologist Caroline HildebrandMeet Landscape Designer Emma Podietz
Get to know Jensen Hufnagel, Operations Assistant
Meet Water Resources Engineer Emily Beacham
E+D Podcast with Keith Bowers: The state of ecology and design in landscape architecture