Laura Taylor

Laura grew up exploring the natural world, from dandelion patches and ponds near home to the diverse wilderness areas where her family camped and backpacked. Laura earned a Bachelor’s degree in forest ecology and botany from the Evergreen State College, and a Master’s degree in invasive plant ecology from Portland State University. She provided botanical and ecological expertise to a number of public, private, and non-profit organizations before joining the District. She now helps woodland owners grow healthy resilient forests by developing forest stewardship plans, providing technical assistance, and managing forest health projects for their properties. She also provides expertise on monitoring and data collection, plants, and pollinators. Laura has been a member of the District’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee since 2018 and currently serves as co-chair. Laura still loves backpacking and hiking as well as gardening and then cooking with all the abundant produce she harvests.