*Phoebe helping with a snow water equivalent (SWE) measurement as part of* *snowpack chemistry monitoring* *with USGS.*

As Communications Specialist, Phoebe works to promote Teton Conservation District’s programs, projects, and grant opportunities. She loves connecting people to the natural world and working with the community to conserve natural resources. She has been with Teton Conservation District since 2018.

Phoebe was raised in Jackson, Wyoming and Kathmandu, Nepal. She holds degrees in Geography and International Studies from the University of Denver and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado, where her capstone project focused on project evaluation and community outreach. In her free time Phoebe serves on the board of the Teton Raptor Center and enjoys backpacking and gardening.

What has been your biggest accomplishment at Teton Conservation District to date?

I’ve loved working on The Mountain Neighbor Handbook because of the community effort behind it. Jackson has been my home for most of my life, so collaborating with the 40+ people that contributed to the project has been especially meaningful to me.

I’ve also enjoyed working on Morgan’s Nature Notebook with my coworker Morgan Graham. The educational video series came about during covid quarantine times as a way to connect with the community and schools. But, as the pandemic waned, it continued to be popular, so we just kept making episodes whenever we had time. The latest episode – Micro-Habitat – is my favorite!

Why did you decide to pursue a career in conservation?

I was lucky to spend my childhood hiking through mountains and exploring wild landscapes. I’ve always felt driven to protect wild places and share my curiosity for the natural world with others.

*Phoebe helping with macroinvertebrate sampling in Flat Creek.*

If you could make everyone in the world take one conservation action, what would it be?

Recently, I’ve been inspired by two books by Douglas Tallamy called 1) Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation That Starts in Your Yard and 2) Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife With Native Plants (both available as books and audiobooks through Teton County Library). I think the most important thing we can do for conservation is protect and restore native habitat at all scales—from backyards to entire landscapes. Check out our new Conservation Planting Program to learn about how you can get funding from Teton Conservation District to plant more native species in your yard.

Do you have a favorite native flora or fauna?

There are too many to count…in my own backyard, I love seeing moose and hearing great horned owls. On the trail, I’m always on the lookout for pikas. Recently, some of my favorite wildlife memories have been watching/hearing shorebirds like soras, plovers, and willets. And I love frogs and toads.

My favorite flora include aspen, redwood, Douglas fir, and whitebark pine. I feel most at peace when walking through a forest.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

I wish I could speak every language in the world.