This year’s Birds & Bloom team has spent over five months working together to produce meaningful scientific material. Through this process they have also developed career skills, made important professional connections, and formed lasting bonds with each other. Below is a short blurb about each team member explaining their favorite part of the ELP experience, their academic and career aspirations, and some interests and hobbies so you can get to know the team better.
Ann Moorhead
Environmental Studies & Planning Public Policy and Management | Class of 2023
Beaverton, OR
Ann joined the ELP team to get out of her comfort zone and explore new skills and work with different kinds of people. She has enjoyed working with her diverse and supportive team through all the sunshine and rainy weather they experienced on Dorris Ranch. Outside of the field, Ann also enjoyed working with and analyzing the collected data. In her free time, she enjoys reading, taking in the sun, and spending time with her cat, Sammy. Having enjoyed this unique experience, Ann hopes to continue to explore new things in the future.
Emma Koelbl
Environmental Science (Earth & Physical Sciences Focus) with a Minor in Food Studies | Class of 2023
Hillsboro, OR
Emma’s favorite part about being on the Birds & Blooms team is co-leading the bird surveys protocol, becoming more skillful with bird and plant identifications, and being able to experience hands-on conservation work in action. Emma is hoping to pursue a career in habitat conservation and restoration for at-risk bird species, as well as advocating for a more equitable food system. In her free time she enjoys birdwatching, backpacking, reading, and live music with her close friends.
Emma Peara
Biology (Ecology and Evolution Focus) & Biological Anthropology | Class of 2022
Eugene, OR
Emma’s favorite part of the Birds and Blooms ELP project is getting to hone her bird identification skills as a member of the bird survey team, getting experience with survey methods and scientific problem-solving, contributing to active conservation, and chatting with her teammates. She loves listening for birds like acorn woodpeckers while working at Dorris Ranch. When she’s not studying, Emma enjoys birding, backpacking, biking, and hiking with her partner, baking, and playing games of all kinds with friends. Emma plans to pursue a scientific career in avian conservation behavior research and looks forward to studying snowy plover behavior as an intern for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife in Charleston, OR summer 2022 where she hopes to apply some of the skills she has learned in ELP.
Garret Simmer
Environmental Studies & Political Science | Class of 2023
Portland, OR
After taking Avian Conservation with professor Peg Boulay in Fall of 2021, Garret decided to join the Birds & Blooms project to continue exploring his interest in birds and conservation of their habitat. In addition, the project was an opportunity for Garret to get more experience with field work and explore a potential career working on conservation-related issues. Some of Garret’s favorite birds include the Acorn Woodpecker, Steller’s Jay, and Red-Tailed Hawk. He hopes to become a more experienced birdwatcher and conservationist in the coming years.
Hannah Gershone
Environmental Studies Master’s Student
Minneapolis, MN
Hannah is the Birds and Blooms project manager. She loves supporting the team’s personal and professional goals, and is always excited to nerd out about birds. She received a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Mount Holyoke College and is a Yale Environmental Fellow (2022). Her current graduate research explores how transracial adoptees are navigating questions of identity and belonging in the context of uncertain climate futurities. Before coming to UO, she was a soundscape technician for Grand Canyon National Park. In her free time, she can be found crafting small things, hiking, or spending time with her cat.
Lindsay Green
Environmental Science | Class of 2023
Originally from Florence, OR; currently resides in Eugene, OR
Her favorite parts of the Dorris Ranch project are identifying the showy wildflowers, invasive plant species, and working with the other team members. In the fall of 2020 Lindsay quit her 15 year career with Fred Meyer (4 years as a Produce/Floral Manager) to return to college in hopes of having a second career in habitat restoration. Lindsay got married in the fall of 2020 and in the summer of 2021 welcomed a son. She enjoys being a mother and going on hikes with her new family.
Megan Falkner
Environmental Science & Biology | Class of 2022
San Diego, CA
Megan loves being able to spend time out in the field and identifying plants as co-leader for the plant protocol. She loves spending days out in the meadow enjoying being in nature and learning more about native wildflowers. A senior graduating in the spring, Megan hopes to continue her passion for nature by continuing research post-grad in studying climate change and how to reduce the harmful effects of global warming on ecosystems.
Mya Ganzer
Environmental Science (Life Sciences Focus) & Public Policy, Planning, and Management with Minors in Biology & Chinese | Class of 2023
Beaverton, OR
Mya’s favorite part of Dorris Ranch and the ELP team is interacting with the park goers and discussing the importance of habitat restoration. She also likes seeing all the dogs on walks at Dorris Ranch. In her spare time Mya enjoys reading, road trips, and swimming in any natural body of water she can find. Mya hopes to have a career in Sustainable Urban Design and Development and make sure that everyone has access to natural and biodiverse green spaces and parks, regardless of location and income.
Olivia Holah
Environmental Science & Art | Class of 2023
Portland, OR
Olivia enjoys all things bird related, especially the birds that frequent Dorris Ranch. She enjoys hearing the calls of the acorn woodpecker high up in the oak canopy, and the sight of turkeys that forage in the meadow. Olivia finds herself enjoying the many protocols that the team executes, and how to accurately measure oak characteristics, plant populations, and the presence and absence of birds. Beyond the classroom and field work, Olivia enjoys cycling, backpacking, and ceramics. The practical learning experience at Dorris Ranch has Olivia excited for future endeavors in wildlife conservation and restoration, and how such can be leveraged with an artistic lens.
Saoirse Kirby
Environmental Science (Life Sciences Focus) & Biology | Class of 2022
Agoura Hills, CA
Saoirse is a co-leader of the oak assessment protocol, which serves as her favorite focus of the project. She enjoys the challenge of finding her way through thick vegetation to get the most accurate measurements. Other than crawling through bushes, Saoirse enjoys backpacking, socializing and baking. Saoirse hopes to find a career in habitat conservation or environmental non-profit management.
Shane Kreger
Environmental Science (Physical and Earth Sciences Focus) & Geography | Class of 2024
Eugene, OR
Shane serves as a co-leader of the oak and meadow protocols, but more importantly as stretch leader. His favorite parts of ELP include climbing through the brushy oak woodland, designing the oak protocol mapping system, and talking with his teammates. He enjoys spending his time with close friends and family, taking walks and bicycling, playing cards and board games, and is always looking at a map. Shane is currently working as a solar panel installer and intends to make a career out of improving the local environment as both a geographer and environmental scientist.