Hello! The upcoming conservation cohort brought me here. I've lived in Las Vegas since 2018 and am originally from Chicago. My favorite "backyard" bird is the morning dove. The sweet noises they make remind me of walking to the bus stop in the early mornings as a kid. I was thrilled when I heard my first morning dove in Vegas! I also love spotting the American coot when kayaking the Colorado river. I'm here because I want to learn and do more. Much like teaching, I feel a calling to conservation. I'm deeply inspired by the desert and want to dedicate my time to protecting it and to sharing it with others. Am I an "unofficial" birder? I notice birds everywhere I go but have never explored an area specifically to find birds. Perhaps that will soon change! I'm obsessed with tortoises, however. I've volunteered with the Tortoise Group for 2 ish years and was recently promoted to Volunteer Coordinator. 💚✌️