WSMAG.NET | Contributor: Jennifer Beard

Jennifer Beard

Growing up around the alligator-edged rivers and lakes of Florida, Jennifer Beard developed an appreciation for the subtle beauty of the swamps, springs and wetlands. Her desire to explore nature led her to the University of Alaska Fairbanks to study plant and soil science. Not only did she live in a beautiful state with snow and mountains, but she also experienced her first real winter. Thankfully, studying plants involved spending time in the warm greenhouses. The unspoiled beauty of Alaska inspired her to study natural science illustration at the University of Washington. Jennifer enjoys drawing, gardening and exploring the beaches and trails of Washington with her two children. She is the development associate for Harbor WildWatch, assisting with marketing and volunteer management, and cultivating support for the nonprofit. Her initial exposure to Harbor WildWatch was as a parent, when her son enrolled in the Sea Star & Beyond program.