Erin is a Master’s student pursuing degrees in Forestry and Environmental Management, and a Certificate in Geospatial Analysis at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. There, she concentrates on land conservation & management, multi-use forestry, and the application of remote sensing and geospatial analysis in land planning and management decisions. During the summer of 2010, Erin worked with NatureServe in Boulder, CO as a Conservation Services intern, using ArcGIS and other geospatial analysis software to help inform clients with projects ranging from the Denver metro area and the Western U.S. to Ecuador and Puerto Rico. She spent the summer of 2011 in Durham, NC with fellow group-mates Eric Downing and Josh Strauss conducting field research and initial development of this Master’s Project.
Prior to attending the Nicholas School, Erin earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Biology and Environmental Studies at St. Olaf College. While a student, Erin participated in a semester abroad program in Australia studying marine biology, terrestrial ecology, environmental politics, and cultural anthropology. She graduated cum laude, and with distinction in Environmental Studies for her work creating a carbon offset program for The St. Olaf Band (of which she was a four-year member) involving local no-till farmers. During summers both during and after St. Olaf, Erin worked in the assembly and first working season of the B4WARMED (Boreal Forest Warming at an Ecotone in Danger) project through the University of Minnesota’s Department of Forest Resources.
After graduation, Erin hopes to use her geospatial analysis skills working either in Federal land management (e.g. Forest Service, Park Service), or at a smaller non-profit organization working in land conservation and multi-use management. Ideally, she hopes to find employment in the northern climes working with northern temperate and boreal forests. Erin plays a number of instruments (and on occasion, plays them in public) and enjoys road biking, canoeing, and Nordic skiing.