Spending a semester studying wildlife in Kenya remains one of the most meaningful and memorable experiences of my life. When the semester was over, I knew I would be back. After 30 years I have yet to return to Africa. I still am certain I will, but it is hard to imagine returning to experience Africa as a tourist, snapping photos without the time to study animal behavior, to understand the politics of the region and to experience this with others who share the same passions.

I did not go on to become a wildlife biologist though my passion for preserving wild places and its wildlife remains. After a few seasons of working as a biological technician with the National Park Service I went to law school and studied environmental law at the University of Oregon. After graduation I moved to Alaska and, for a time, worked as an Assistant Attorney General in the Natural Resources Section.

The majority of my career has been with the Alaska Court System as a Magistrate Judge. I still find time to work with animals and to visit wild places. I volunteer at the Sea Life Center, a rehabilitation center, where I care for rescued walrus calves, sea otter and seal pups. For the past few summers my husband and I have flown into the Alaska wilderness to watch brown bears as they fish for salmon. I am grateful for these ongoing experiences and look forward to revisiting Africa some day soon.

Favorite SFS Memory: Sunrise safaris when we all left our cameras behind.