Meet the team - Annabel Christiansen, Andrus Scholar Intern
The Birds of Prey NCA team is made up of bird-loving, outdoor-adventuring, passionate individuals who, amongst other things, strive to make the NCA the best place it can be for both people and nature. In this blog series, we wanted to introduce you to our team and tell you a bit more about who they are, what they do and why they do it. We thought we’d start with our current andrus scholar intern, annabel christiansen, who has joined us over the summer break…
Please introduce yourself!
Hello, I’m Annabel Christiansen!
I am currently a junior at Boise State University, pursuing a major in Environmental Studies, a minor in Urban Studies and Community Development, and earning a certificate in Environmental Education.
I have worked in the environmental field for a little over a year now, as an environmental education instructor at the Jim Hall Foothills Learning Center here in Boise. My dream is to continue my work as a full-time environmental educator, leading folks through immersive, educational experiences out in nature.
In my free time, I enjoy hiking and recreating outdoors, drawing and painting, and spending time with my three cats.
What has been the best nature experience you've had so far?
The best experience I have had out in nature has to be hiking in the Pacific Northwest, more specifically, on the Oregon Coast. My favorite hike is the Drift Creek Falls Trail, which I have done multiple times, and always try to do on a trip to the Coast. You wander through a gorgeous forest of Sitka spruce, eventually making your way to a 240-foot suspension bridge, which overlooks an incredible 75-foot waterfall. The view from the bridge is breathtaking, and crossing the bridge is both surreal and a little anxiety inducing. It is such a unique hike, and I have some of my fondest memories in nature there, hiking with my family.
What is your favorite raptor species?
My favorite raptor species has to be the owl. I have always had a deep fascination and appreciation for all birds of prey, but owls in particular have stolen my heart. They are such elegant, beautiful birds, and their biology and role in the ecosystem is something I find quite interesting.
My favorite kind of owl is the barn owl - I love their heart shaped faces! Great horned owls are a close second; we have a pair of great horned owls up at the Foothills Learning Center, and every spring they roost in the nearby cliff sides. Seeing the baby owls grow up right before our very eyes is such a special and unique experience.
What are you excited about for your internship with BOPP?
What I am looking forward to the most during my internship with BOPP is learning new skills and meeting new people. While my main focus is on environmental education, I am deeply interested in science communications and the importance of that work within the environmental field. I am so excited to expand my skill set and learn more about communication and marketing.
I am also so excited to be so close to the birds! Growing up in Boise, I visited the Birds of Prey center often and loved seeing all of the different birds. It really is a dream come true to get this incredible opportunity and to work with an organization that means so much to me personally.
Who would be your three dream dinner party guests?
My three dream dinner guests… that’s a tough one! The first person that came to mind, and who seems like the most obvious choice, would have to be Taylor Swift. I am a HUGE swiftie, and have loved her music ever since I was a little girl. As well as being an incredible artist, she’s also a deeply intelligent and mindful person, and would bring a very interesting perspective to the conversation.
Next, I would choose Jane Goodall. She is one of my biggest inspirations and role models in life. Her conservation work is so inspiring! Last but not least, I would want none other than Bill Nye the Science Guy. He and Jane would have a lot to talk about! Bill Nye was such a pivotal part of my childhood, and watching his videos in science classes growing up is what sparked my interest in science and the environment. I think a dinner party with the three of them would be the best night ever!
