Karelia

Karelia ver eecke

Biologist

Karelia transplanted to Oregon in 2013 from southwest Colorado. She has a powerful passion for exploring the world around her and can often be found turning over logs, stooping for shells, and generally touching everything; her husband close behind saying "You're a biologist, doesn't that mean you shouldn't be disturbing things?!" Karelia believes that learning is all about the experience and personal attachments the learning creates--what better way to do that than with your hands!

The Rogue Valley has been home to Karelia, her husband, and dog since July 2015. The family welcomed their first child in 2017. She moved here to complete her Masters of Science in Environmental Education at Southern Oregon University after working two seasons with the Prineville District BLM in Central Oregon. She earned her Bachelors of Arts in Biology with an emphasis in Environmental Biology & Ecology at Western Colorado University in Gunnison, CO.

Karelia’s background is diverse and includes time spent as a plant and habitat technician, aquatic conservation technician, adjunct professor, environmental educator, and ski bum.

Karelia’s passion is to bring people together to improve the landscape in which they live, whether that's simply playing outside more, learning the Latin names of plants, or sliding down the mountain on boards!