who we are

I grew up watching the birds in my backyard and first got hooked on bird conservation studying Siberian crane and Marbled Murrelet population dynamics while earning my master’s in Environmental Science.

My enthusiasm for helping strengthen people’s connection to the outdoors has grown through friends who send me blurry bird photos requesting ID help. I treasure and nurture these interactions. They inspire me to make LLBA welcoming to all people, including those who do not yet know they love birds, or who may lack the confidence to declare themselves birders.

The vibrant world of birds beckons us to a richer, more immersive experience in nature; I strive to extend this invitation to an ever-widening range of audiences.

Birds have been a constant source of joy in my life and being able to protect birds in our urban cities is a goal of mine as both a city planner and landscape architect. My passion for bird conservation began as a child, raising money for the brown pelicans effected by the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill, and I have carried this passion into my adulthood. As a Master of Landscape Architecture student, birds have a special place in every project I work on. Whether that be an entire garden dedicated to pigeon nesting or a humble pond for geese to land, birds always have a place in my work and my heart.

I inherited my interest in birds from my father. Growing up in Southeast Iowa, Audubon Christmas Bird Counts were a feature of a complete holiday season. Over the years, my passion for birds has developed and often marked milestones and core memories in my life: from seeing Gray-crowned Rosy Finches on Mt. Rainier, to gazing at Great Gray Owls with my father in Sax Zim Bog, to watching the local Wild Turkey flocks walk through our front yard in South Minneapolis with my wife. These moments and others like them have allowed me to develop my relationship with these birds past an affinity to one where I want to understand their needs and advocate for them.

Professionally, I have worked as an actuary for over a decade. This has afforded me a wealth of varied experiences and expertise within the financial services space. I look forward to marrying my skills and expertise in the financial realm with my passion for birds and conservation.

I have loved everything about nature since I was a kid exploring the woods and prairies in my neighborhood. When my husband and I started working in our yard to turn it into a pollinator and bird friendly habitat, I became curious about what birds were visiting. I was amazed with all the different birds visiting my backyard! A true ecosystem now thriving! So, armed with a starter bird ID guide and a very ancient pair of used binoculars I started birding. My love of birds blossomed! As one of our field trip leaders, it brings me immense joy seeing those I lead become excited about birds. I love when they learn something new or find a new appreciation for birds and wanting to protect their habitats. 

I want to share my knowledge of birds and get others curious about the natural world around them. Nature provides us with so much. It is a place of respite from our overstimulating world, and a place for healing and finding community. I look forward to continuing to make our bird group a welcoming space for all birders and those wanting to protect their habitat! 

Hello, I'm Lisa, a birder, beekeeper, retired person and now a board member for Land of Lakes Bird Alliance. I have been an active volunteer since 2021, participating on the DEI and Outreach & Education committees and leading bird walks. I am very much looking forward to working with this wonderful group of people and to helping our alliance grow and prosper.