Working in environmental outreach for a conservation foundation on Sanibel and Captiva Islands along the Gulf of Mexico has reminded me of the amazing diversity of Florida. From land management and species research to landscaping for wildlife and education initiatives, the work is all-encompassing. And it doesn’t hurt that it’s on some of Florida’s most beautiful barrier islands.

For my master’s thesis I worked on Mountain Pygmy-possums (Burramys parvus) in the Australian Alps. Researching the predators and competitors that lived with the possums 24 million years ago, the hope was to be able to translocation them back to their ancient temperate rainforest habitat to prevent their extinction from climate change. Other than fossil digs and statistics, I highlighted the work being done in the field to study the current population dynamics. These are a few of the photos.

What’s a better way to spend your honeymoon than in a car? To celebrate our marriage and 10 years of being together, my husband and I drove across the USA. From Florida to Yellowstone and back, driving almost 7,000 miles. We looped through the US in our little hatchback – seeing bears and snow for the fist time, being chased by a dusky grouse, enjoying the cities and the wilderness that make this country so diverse – the photos only convey a little of the magic.

I’ve been fortunate to travel the world  through university and with family and friends. Travel has shaped a huge part of my life and I cherish all the memories these photos recall.