“Avid.”

As a child, I spent most of my life outside and unbeknownst to my parents, on nights above 32-dergrees I would sneak out of my suburban Minneapplolis MN bedroom window with a blanket to stare up at the stars twinkling in the sky.

In the first grade, I was excited to become a Cub Scout, followed by becoming a Boy Scout and I enjoyed being outside on every camping trip imagining hiking through the forest.

So, my chosen profession to become an environmentalist was an easy decision but I quickly tired of my classroom’s four walls. So when I learned of an atmospheric study in the old growth forests of the Canadian Yukon Territory, I pleaded with my professors to let a second-year student participate.

Ever since for the past forty years, I have been an environmentalist working in the field conducting studies always longing for the open fresh air, the smell of pine, oak, molting leaves, and the mosquitos.

I have come love awakening with the sounds of songbirds to begin my day followed by birds of prey circling overhead searching for breakfast. I still look forward to late nights inside of my tent listening for the nocturnal sounds of animals scurrying around foraging for food.

Some say I’m an outdoors person. I say I’m an average avid hiker, backpacker, and outdoor enthusiast.

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