Meet the Team - Bethany Tennant
Please introduce yourself!
I’m an Idaho native, born and raised in the Treasure Valley, and have also spent time living in the Palouse region of northern Idaho. I recently earned my Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Boise State University, with an emphasis on ecology, evolution and behavior. During my time at Boise State, I started working as a biological aide at the MK Nature Center where I’ve developed a passion for wildlife conservation and habitat restoration while engaging with the local community. I also started as a songbird banding volunteer for the Intermountain Bird Observatory, which has given me a deeper appreciation for field-based conservation work. As a recent graduate, I am excited to be working as a raptor monitoring technician in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA) while continuing my role at MK Nature Center.
In my spare time, I enjoy going on birding adventures with friends, hiking, hockey games, and exploring new food spots!
What is the best nature experience you have ever had?
It’s hard for me to choose a single best nature experience, there are a lot to choose from. But I’m especially drawn to experiences that spark my curiosity and sense of wonder for the natural world.
One that stands out is my time working in the remote badlands of North Dakota. The biodiversity in the Northern Great Plains and its riparian systems left a strong impression on me, especially during bird migration season. Being immersed in both the ecological and geological history of the landscape gave me a deeper appreciation for the evolutionary history of birds, as well as the processes that have shaped the vital habitats they rely on. I’ve enjoyed carrying this perspective into my work in the Snake River Plains of southern Idaho, where I continue to be fascinated by the stories the landscape has to tell.
What is your favorite raptor species?
It’s hard to choose a single favorite, since there are so many raptor species that stand out to me for their own reasons. However, the peregrine falcon holds a special place in my heart as they first sparked my interest in raptors. My experience working with a wildlife ambassador peregrine helped deepen that interest, and I just love their intelligence, intensity and methodical nature. Since beginning work in the Morley Nelson NCA, prairie falcons have quickly become another favorite.
I also have a soft spot for turkey vultures, with their unique adaptations and inquisitive personalities. Spotting a turkey vulture always brings me joy, whether it’s a single individual or an entire kettle soaring overhead.
Who would your three dream dinner party guests be?
My dream dinner party would include Jeff Corwin, Aldo Leopold, and Jeff Vandermeer. As a kid, I loved watching Jeff Corwin’s shows on Animal Planet, and I think for nostalgia and some humor he’d make a great dinner guest. Aldo Leopold, the father of modern wildlife conservation, would definitely be someone I’d love to sit down and have a conversation with. Jeff Vandermeer is a fiction author, his writing being described as cosmic biological horror. Maybe an odd combination, but I think the three of them together would provide for some deep and witty conversation, and I’d be interested to see what story ideas Vandermeer might come up with after a dinner party like this.
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