Hi, I’m Melanie, a conservation geographer, artist, and writer who is passionate about protecting green spaces and dark skies as well as studying the interactions between humans and nature. I love hiking and stargazing. My work has appeared in various places, like Prehistoric Times Magazine, GeekMom, and the New Worcester Spy, and I’ve been interviewed by news outlets like the Boston Globe, Spectrum News, and Worcester Magazine. I’ve presented my research at the annual meetings of the American Geographers Association and the National Council for Public History, as well as other conferences.

I’ve been a long-time member of the Aldrich Astronomical Society, one of the oldest astronomy clubs in the United States, and currently serve as their community outreach coordinator. In 2020, I received a NASA Space Grant, which I used to write a basic guide to astrophotography for beginners, as well as an Aisiku Fellowship to study the geography of partridgeberries, a native New England plant. I am a NASA Solar System Ambassador, and travel to libraries around New England talking to the public about space. I volunteer at special events at Dinosaur State Park in Connecticut and other museums.

If you are interested in having me speak at your venue, drop me a line!