Graduate School

Diane grew up in the greater Pacific Northwest and traveled extensively through the United States. These experiences, as well as travel outside of the country, contributed to her growing awareness and interest in environmental science and the interplay between human and non-human ecosystems. Frequent travel allowed the opportunity to see spatial transitions between geologic features, ecosystems, and the ways people interact with and view the environment. She earned an associate's degree in geology from Austin Community College, a bachelor's degree in geography and geology at The University of Texas at Austin, and completed the Geographic Information Science Certificate and Master of Science in Environmental Science program at Oregon State University. Diane's work focuses on concepts of ecosystem sustainability, natural resource management, community involvement, and social justice. Her specialty during her time at OSU revolved around pyrogeography, vegetation recovery, and ecosystem assessments. Her work manifests in engaging with community-oriented projects and outreach, including technical geospatial assessments, wilderness and primitive skills, citizen science programs, and other endeavors that connect both ecosystem and human well-being.