It's In My Nature

Hunting is a North American tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. Today, we have the privilege to enjoy nature. Truth be told, todays forests would not exist if it weren’t for the valiant effort to restore North America's wildlife and creating the North American model of wildlife conservation. Sometimes, wildlife managers, biologists, and conservationist forget that the greatest conservation success story is right in front of us. (QDMA 2018) For decades, we have enjoyed the reward of the greatest conservation success story in history, Wildlife Restoration. Through colonization, much of North America was stripped of wildlife and their ecosystems. Species were extirpated out of their native range; some species went extinct through overharvesting and lack of conservation. Th anks to the state and federal agencies that work to conserve, fight, and protect wildlife; through their careful work, we have wildlife, we have biodiversity, and we hav...

Over the last four years of college, I have received so many opportunities from Penn State that is nothing short of incredible. Through different courses and experiences, I have found my true passion. Since I was younger, I have always had a passion for the outdoors and wildlife. College has given me an opportunity to explore more adventures and interests in this field and is what has led me to agricultural education.  When I started college, I began at Penn State DuBois pursuing an associate degree in wildlife technology. I was dead set on becoming a wildlife biologist because I really enjoy research and wildlife management. Through those two years, I fell in love with wildlife. I had incredible opportunities to pull bear cubs out of bear dens, band northern saw-whet owls, go hawk trapping, help with elk calf capture, travel to a bat hibernacula to catch bats and so much more. I even had an o...