Personal Essay For Beach Science

With more than ten years of wetland related experience, my expertise lies primarily in the areas of delineation, mitigation, and restoration. My academic background is strong in the physical sciences with Bachelors of Science in biology and geology from Western Kentucky University. Classroom learning was heavily integrated with field exercises. Several courses were entirely field based, including a twelve day reef ecology course on San Salvador Island, Bahamas and six weeks of field geology in the Northern Rockies. A solid foundation in physical science and introduction to environmental sampling and collection techniques prepared me for a future in wetland science. One class provided me with skills I use to this day, plant taxonomy. Learning the familial characteristics of plants continues to be useful as a wetland scientist and amateur naturalist.

Training and workshops attended during my professional career focused my collegiate studies and lifelong interests into a tangible profession. Specialized training complimented my professional work in both the field and office. I have completed courses on basic delineation, individual wetland parameters, wetland rating, and

Almost immediately in my career, I made decisions in the field. Having delineated hundreds of wetlands, I have prepared numerous wetland reports including critical/sensitive area studies, maps, mitigation/restoration plans, and habitat management plans for several jurisdictions in Western Washington. My experiences rating wetlands, applying appropriate buffers, and proposing adequate compensatory mitigation while navigating regulations in the various federal, state, and local jurisdictions were further strengthened by my immersion in a fast paced office where you either succeeded or