Courtney is a Thurston County local, raised on a small horse farm in East Olympia. She spent much of her childhood exploring the forests of Western Washington and developing a love for the plants and animals that live there. After high school, she moved to Spokane, WA to pursue a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Creative Writing from Whitworth University.

While at Whitworth Courtney had the opportunity to take an Environmental Science class in Costa Rica, which piqued her interest in ecology. After graduating, she spent a summer working on a US Forest Service Wilderness Trail Crew, which helped her realize she was interested in a career that involved working outdoors rather than returning to graduate school for English. For the next several years she worked for Nisqually Land Trust, first as AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator and then as Stewardship Technician, where she learned about the practical side of habitat restoration and land management.

 

In 2022, Courtney started pursuing her Masters of Environmental Studies (MES) degree at The Evergreen State College. Last autumn she joined the SPP team, working in the Taylor’s Checkerspot butterfly program at Mission Creek Corrections Center for Women (MCCCW). This position allows her to combine her interest in habitat restoration with her passion for supporting women’s education and development, and allows her to learn about working with endangered wildlife. Outside of class and work, Courtney enjoys hiking, working with horses and coaching for the Tumwater High School Equestrian Team, reading, and art.