Childhood summers on my grandparents’ ranch in Gilroy, CA fanned my innate enthusiasm for the outdoors and curiosity about nature. In high school I fell in love with photography, and figured I’d become a nature photographer. My first real job post-college was naturalist in Yosemite leading kids and adults on hikes around the park – sharing my love and wonder about nature – camera clipped to my pack at all times. I believe you take care of what you love. I knew I was having an impact turning people on to nature with my trailside storytelling. I thought it was enough. In time, felt I could do more, so I went back to school.

 I learned to translate hard science into engaging and easy to understand stories for print at the UCSC Science Communication graduate program, illustrating my written stories with photos. Then I discovered filmmaking, which combined my writing, visual creativity and technology know-how. I attended film school, further expanding my storytelling tool kit.

I now reach many more people with stories about nature and science, working for scientists, museums, non-profits, and an occasional government agency, creating video, photography, interactive exhibits, live webcasts, and social media content. I’ve covered California climate, biodiversity, and water issues, polar research in Greenland and Antarctica, traveled with international science parties on ocean research expeditions in the Indian and Pacific oceans, and even chased bear researchers following bears back in Yosemite for National Geographic’s Crittercam.

Climate change and the loss of biodiversity have become huge global problems that require all hands. I don’t want to just point out the problem. I want to help solve it. The most useful thing I can bring to this effort is my enthusiasm for nature, my ability to simplify technical subjects for non-technical audiences, and my extensive media production skills.

I’m passionate about using my storytelling skills in service of climate solutions, conservation and community. Do you have a story to tell?