Melissa (she/her), a Colorado native, earned her Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Biology at Colorado State University. She spent many years studying various wildlife species in seasonal roles before pursuing a Master of Science in Wildlife Biology, also at CSU. Her research focused on virus transmission and molecular ecology of urban big brown bat populations. She later worked in a wildlife genetics lab at the National Wildlife Research Center before relocating to Grand Junction with her husband.
After the move, Melissa devoted a significant portion of her time to studying and observing the behavior of a different kind of wildlife—two young boys. During this time, she also actively contributed to roles at Tri-River Area CSU Extension, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and other local organizations. Additionally, she served as a Reading Interventionist within the local school district for several years.
Through these diverse experiences, Melissa developed a growing interest in habitat restoration, along with a strong passion for effective communication, education, and collaboration as an integral component of conservation efforts. As a Restoration Coordinator at RiversEdge West, she is committed to partnering with a wide array of partners to restore riparian lands, critical for both community health and ecological integrity.
Outside of work, Melissa enjoys outdoor activities with her husband and two sons—hiking, camping, floating the river, and pushing her bike over obstacles while her family mountain bikes around her. When not shuttling kids between activities, she picks up a good book, crochets or plays fetch with her Australian Shepherd.
