Growing up in Minnesota, Liz was either outside or in the basement learning  various arts and crafts. Liz received her BA from Skidmore College, where she studied environmental science, studio art, and economics. Skidmore is also where she discovered her love of all things avian through classes and a semester spent abroad in Costa Rica. After graduation, she moved all over the country working as a field assistant on various wildlife projects. She received her MS from the University of Florida, and her thesis investigated the relationship between vegetation structure and risk perception in Florida Scrub-jays. Not feeling done with Florida’s bird life, she decided to stay and pursue a PhD studying the ecology of Florida Burrowing Owls in rangelands. Broadly, she is interested in biodiversity conservation in agricultural and urbanizing landscapes, especially movement and landscape ecology. In addition to wildlife, Liz enjoys cooking, gardening, and any activity that involves her dog, Corwin. She also tries to indulge her creative side with painting, knitting, and ceramics from time to time.