Katie’s love for the natural world began in the southern Appalachian Mountains of Georgia. This is where the forested foothills were her childhood backyard. After graduating with a degree in biology from Kennesaw State University, Katie worked seasonally for the National Park Service, Tennessee State Parks, and even as a tour guide on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Katie serves as the Community Engagement and Education AmeriCorps member at the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. She is thrilled to be returning for a second term with Project Conserve to continue her work of connecting local communities with land conservation efforts in western North Carolina.