BIO

My focus is to raise awareness for habitat conservation and how the habitat directly impacts the diversity of species found in the environment.  I do this by illustrating birds that we see everyday as well as lesser known species found on the Minnesota's DNR's "Species of Special Concern" list.  I hope to raise awareness for the need of native habitat for the entire health of a community.  

I do this by giving the birds their identity by teaching the audience who they are seeing by introducing the name of the species.  Once someone knows a name they will be able to pick that bird out in a crowd.  They will learn to notice them when they are around but also miss them when they are gone.  

I also hope to tie the connection between shared lands of the species that migrate.  What we do in Minnesota will impact the numbers that those who see them in Mexico, Brazil, Canada and everywhere in between.  Also, how they treat their native habitats will impact the numbers we see in Minnesota.  Our lands are connected.  

In my "Species of Special Concern" series I will identify part of the population decline with pencil and grays.  I want it to be something people can't help but see.  To create a separation with the species, to amplify the problem.  However I do it in pencils because we can "erase" the problem.  We still have many opportunities to ensure the health and vitality of our habitat and the wildlife found within.