Cassidy grew up in the heart of Arkansas, where her childhood was filled with outdoor adventures, sparking a deep connection to the natural world. During her junior year of high school, she studied abroad in Denmark as a Rotary Exchange Student. This experience not only broadened her worldview but also introduced her to her future husband, who grew up in Colorado. After graduating, Cassidy set off on a multi-year-long backpacking journey through Australia and New Zealand, where her passion for conservation was ignited by the New Zealand’s impressive Department of Conservation.
Inspired by her time abroad, Cassidy returned to the U.S. in 2019 and enrolled at Colorado State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resource Management. In early 2023, she made North Carolina her home, where she fell in love with the native ecosystems and biodiversity of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Outside of work, Cassidy can often be found tending to her gardens or exploring with her husband and two dogs.