I'm a conservation worker from Tennessee who is now based in the Southwest. While traveling to and from seasonal jobs, I like to ride the great couch wave across the country.

Over the last four years, I've lived and worked in North Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, Wyoming, and Nevada. Right now I'm working as a springs botanist in northern New Mexico. When I'm not picking my way through reeds to find new plant species, I'm hiking, kayaking, or catching up on my backlog of political history and science fiction.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Several times over the last few years, when I found myself in a new place, I ended up staying with a kind stranger who had opened their home to me. Those unexpected friendships were some of the best things to happen to me last year. I want to keep experiencing this level of trust, and I look forward to when I can open my own home to folks passing through. I feel that in this community it's easier to really see people, and be seen in return.

Music, Movies, and Books

Currently listening to Rhiannon Giddens, alt-J, Rasputina, Iskwé, and Talking Heads. Amanda Palmer will always be my number one. I also like going to shows, and try to pick up music from local bands wherever I'm currently calling home.

I used to read fiction pretty exclusively, but for the last few years, scientific articles and nonfiction books have slowly overtaken my reading list. However, I can always make time for Neil Gaiman, Barbara Kingsolver, Ursula K. Le Guin, and Terry Pratchett. I'm also an avid reader of comics; I can recommend Rat Queens, Y the Last Man, Saga, and The Sandman.

And, while I can't quite call myself a film buff, I do love movies. Some of my favorites genres are cult films (Dead Man, Donnie Darko), independents (Mud, The Song of the Sea, Moonlight, Get Low), British comedy (The Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy, Monty Python, Death at a Funeral) and old-school horror (Akira, The Thing, Alien(s)). And if you somehow have a copy of Tokyo Godfathers, please let me come over and watch it, because I can't find an affordable copy anywhere.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

More than once in my life, I've made the decision to walk away from something that didn't make me happy anymore. I believe that like plants, people need to grow toward their light source, whatever that may be. To continue to do so is my foremost commitment to myself.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Webcomic/book recommendations, botanical and horticultural tips, a strong mug of tea, openness, and the faintest hint of a southern accent.