Laura Yayac forever seeks to expand her comfort zone, a goal that takes her on walks along cables strung high in the tree canopy and on backpacking trips hundreds of miles through the Appalachian Mountains. She relishes traveling to the extreme, navigating icebergs, earthquakes and new languages. She is excited to be challenged in a new way, tackling the unexplored territory of scientific names, following ions through the soil, and deciphering the landscape through natural clues.

Laura's here to read the gaze of a Doll's Eye (Actaea pachypoda), to figure out where all those rocks come from, and to collaborate with others who confront their limits. She's passionate about teaching people to understand and love the natural world, and she has engaged children and teens in banding saw whet owls, kelp surfing, and working on local organic farms. She’s inspired to broaden her skills as a member of the Ecological Planning Program.

Laura thrives at the intersection of environmental and human awareness and encourages people to build connections to the Earth and their neighbors. She envisions one day teaching the amazing details of the natural world while cultivating skills to create strong relationships and vibrant communities. She also intends to throw a Frisbee on every continent. One more to go!