User:BeckyLaboy

My passions and interests include birding, botanizing, kayaking and hiking. I've been taking photos of birds, plants and nature for the past 5+ years, and am happy to share my photos with other folks who may find them useful for educational purposes, per applicable Wiki license laws and guidelines. I volunteer my time as co-leader for the Jersey Shore Chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey. Through educational programs and initiatives, I encourage others to include native plants in their home gardens by introducing them to our state's extraordinary and beautiful habitats and unique (and too often rare) native plants.

My position as an Educator with Ocean County Soil Conservation District for the past 8 years continues to drive my passion for conservation. In addition, I am an adjunct professor for Kean University at the Kean-Ocean campus, as well as the Instructor for the Barnegat Bay Master Naturalist course offered through Ocean County College. As a naturalist, I lead birding tours and plant walks for Ocean County Parks & Recreation, in Ocean County, NJ.

I hold an MA in Education, BS in Environmental Biology, BA in International Relations, Teaching Certificates in NJ and CA, Rutgers Organic Land Care Certificate, Rutgers Green Infrastructure Champions Certificate, and Horticultural Certificate from Brooklyn Botanic Garden. I have over 25 years of experience as both a formal and informal educator. I was professionally trained as a classroom teacher for elementary and middle grades (science), then transitioned into informal education with a position as Teacher Education Coordinator at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. My past experiences as a naturalist with New Jersey Audubon and New Jersey State Parks have deepened my connection to nature and my desire to engage and connect others to the vital natural resources of our unique and fragile planet.