Favorite ecosystem:
My partner and I bought a house 2 years ago and our first ‘home project’ was the installation of a small pond in our urban backyard. It’s approximately the size of a very luxurious bathtub and is my favorite mini-ecosystem. It has been really fun to watch it develop over time and change through the seasons. This spring it received a lot of bird attention, which I loved.
Favorite thing to do when not working:
I enjoy running, cooking, and reading and I listen to a lot of podcasts and audiobooks. I recently completed my first half-marathon, still TBD on whether or not it will be the last. I am a vegetarian and a huge fan of cooking hearty soups. I am always looking for new recipes for all vegetarian meals, so please send suggestions my way!! My most read/listened genre for books is likely science fiction; although I’m trying to start consuming more nonfiction.
I love to ski and scuba dive! Even though I hated it at the time, I am very thankful that my parents taught me to ski as a child when falling mid-run was less terrifying. Scuba diving is a newer hobby, I got certified in 2019 and passed the 30-dive milestone last year.
Most memorable experience in nature:
I’ve seen a number of nurse sharks while diving, but they have always been sleeping/resting/hiding under rocks. On a dive in Miami we had a nurse shark swimming around less than 10 feet from us – definitely a more intimidating experience when they’re moving!!
Favorite book:
The Overstory by Richard Powers. 5 stars, 10/10 recommend.
Pets:
We have a small brown dog, named Dany. She has only fallen in the pond once and she hopes never to repeat the experience.
