SJ grew up camping in the Appalachian Mountains and spending summers along the Atlantic coast, developing an early love for the outdoors and a lifelong fascination with plants. From identifying native flora to propagating houseplants and outdoor gardening, she has always been drawn to botany and the ways plant life shapes ecosystems. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Sul Ross State University, where she began developing her skills in ecology and field research. Now calling Alpine home, SJ is excited to contribute to habitat restoration projects with BRI and to serve as the teaching assistant for Wildland Plants.

Long-term vegetation change under rotational and continuous grazing in the Marfa grasslands
Desert grasslands rely on limited, unpredictable rainfall, making them highly susceptible to landuse changes and drought. Decades of heavy grazing have led to increased bare soil and shrub encroachment, while reducing the abundance of perennial grasses. SJ’s research examines long-term vegetation dynamics under continuous and rotational grazing by comparing historical and current data. Through vegetation and soil analyses, her work helps identify how grazing shapes desert grasslands and supports strategies that promote sustainable, resilient rangelands for both people and wildlife.