I’m a naturalist and a writer.
Nature is a part of my writing because nature is a part of my life. I grew up the kid of a National Park Service Naturalist, living in, traveling to and camping in parks. Wildlife and the outdoors crept into my schoolwork and 4-H activities, so by the time I got to college, I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I earned my B.S. in Environmental Interpretation, a mouthful for a degree on how to communicate nature to people. I worked at National Parks, environmental education camps and nature centers for…let’s say, years, before deciding to stay home with my kids.
I love to hike, camp and garden with native plants. And I do oddball things like sew costumes, rescue guinea pigs and write a nature blog through the eyes of four squirrels: The Squirrel Nutwork.
Reading has always been my escape. The favorites of my tween-to-teen years—The Chronicles of Narnia, Black and Blue Magic, and The Three Investigators (similar to Nancy Drew)—had me making up my own fantasies and mysteries. While homeschooling my son, I wrote a story with the world’s magic coming from nature. Now, my imaginary worlds compete for my time, but I still read every evening before bed. In the last few years, I’ve loved The Night Circus, The Scorpio Races and Woodwalker.
Drop me a note if you have local nature questions or to gush over books! To keep up with my new releases, contests and events, follow my blog or sign up for my newsletter.
Laurel