Title: Botanist and Project Manager
Employer: Harris Environmental Group
Prior Position: Botanist, Quinault Indian Nation; Fire Ecology Graduate Assistant, Humboldt State University

Caroline studied plant biology during her time as an IB major – she was involved with the Pollen Lab and worked with Grand Prairie Friends managing invasive species and collecting native seeds as an intern. As an IB major, was able to find her passion in plant biology, ecology and conservation by experiencing a breadth of fields and research methods. She had several internships after graduation that allowed her to gain valuable conservation and plant biology experiences, and travel across the States.

She is currently a Botanist and Project Manager for an environmental consulting firm where she works with government, tribes, and companies to manage invasive species, delineate wetlands, collect forestry data, and provide expertise to help protect the land and environment. At her firm she works with wildlife biologists, GIS specialists, archeologists, and NEPA planners. Half of her job is managing projects, including collecting data, developing a plan, and hiring and managing field crews. The other half is writing proposals, marketing, and networking to find new projects. Because those projects could be anywhere in the States, she often travels to new locations, rather than managing one single land like when she was a Lead Botanist.

During her time as a Botanist for the Quinault Indian Nation, Caroline managed restoration projects on the 200,000+ acre Quinault Indian Reservation involving invasive species control, native planting, and prairie burns. The most exciting part of her job was being the project manager for the first prairie burn the tribe has had in 150 years, since the use of fire was suppressed by settlers.

As a Fire Ecology graduate student at Humboldt, Caroline researched the long-term effectiveness of different fuel reduction treatments in reducing the potential for severe wildfires and the impact on the native plant community.

She is a great person to talk to if you are interested in conservation, restoration ecology, plant biology, or land management. She would also be an excellent resource for questions or concerns about internships, and what kinds of skills you can develop from these experiences. Contact Christina Swanson at alumnimentor@sib.illinois.edu if you would like to connect with Caroline.