MESM 2023
Pronouns: she/her
Bio
Caroline Shepherd graduated from the University of Dayton in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology and a minor in Communication. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Caroline spent time working and volunteering with the Hanley Sustainability Institute as a sustainability educator. In this position, she led a team of 10 students to create curriculum to educate fellow students on reducing their waste and lowering energy consumption. During her undergraduate career, Caroline and her team taught over 8,000 students about sustainable living through in-person and online modules. Upon graduation, she began working as a natural resource technician at a small park district in Ohio, where she focused on wetland restoration and co-founded a pollinator research program. Caroline has also worked as a wildlife biologist monitoring endangered bird species along the lower Rio Grande River in New Mexico. Her time spent studying endangered birds and their habitat allowed her to realize the importance of healthy land and water management practices. These experiences motivated her to pursue her graduate degree at UCSB’s Bren School for Environmental Science & Management to further her understanding of complex environmental issues. Caroline hopes to work with local communities to develop healthy watershed management plans and foster a deeper appreciation for the environment.