My journey into the world of ecology was not linear.
Education background
While I’ve always had an interest in environmental science and sustainability, I initially started my career as an English teacher in Indonesia and later in Florida.
The classroom environment never felt like the right fit for me, so I left my teaching job after about 5 years and relied on my portrait photography business and other freelance work for a while, until a lack of fulfillment (coupled with the pandemic upheaval) left me searching for something more purposeful.
I had always incorporated environmentally-friendly practices into my classroom, photography business, travel blog, and overall lifestyle, and I had also been delving deeper into nature throughout my adulthood, so I decided to pursue more knowledge about ecology through UF’s Florida Master Naturalist Program.
The program changed my life, and the interpretation component of many of the classes made me realize that I am still very much an educator; I just wasn’t in the right environment.
Environmental work
In 2022, I began volunteering as an environmental educator at Blue Spring State Park. Although I initially started as a “manatee rover,” where I educated guests about the many manatees that visit Blue Spring during cold weather, I soon started leading school field trips and eventually helped develop programs such as our award-winning firefly talks, created a Junior Ranger entomology program, and pioneered a nature journaling workshop series at the park.
More recently, I began work at an environmental center here in Central Florida, where I get to lead school field trips, assist with summer camp, and develop interpretive programs.
My goal in life is to “decrease screen time and increase green time” at every available opportunity, and I feel that it is important to share that value with today’s kids. (This has earned me the nickname of “the nature nanny” by some of the families who hire me to babysit.)
I have also sought out other opportunities to provide environmental education. I go into schools as “Ellie the Entomologist” to teach K-12 students about creepy crawlies, and I also teach nature journaling classes at various institutions around the country. Occasionally, I lead guided hikes in nature as well.
Through various field work opportunities, I have had a chance for hands-on learning in fire ecology, silviculture, GIS, invasive plant removal, and the conservation of manatees, blue calamintha bees, red cockaded woodpeckers, fireflies, Pacific Coast seals and sea lions, and Hong Kong pink dolphins.
Extracurriculars
When I am not working or volunteering, I enjoy spending my time hiking, kayaking, reading, writing, and making art.
My artistic hobbies include photography, sewing, crocheting, drawing, painting, and various upcycle craft projects.
Ecology Ellie 