Lydia
They/Them
I am queer and non-binary and I am an environmental field technician.//
Ever since I was a kid I knew I wanted to work with fish and the water. Despite living on the Great Lakes, I was led to believe that was not a sustainable career path. After my first year in college as an engineering student, I was miserable. I was not doing well in my classes, largely because I didn’t like what I was studying. I took a year off of school for my mental health, and when I returned to college I decided to make some changes. I changed my major to study aquatic biology and I publicly came out as non-binary. This led to a happier, healthier, more authentic me.
I now use my position at an environmental non-profit in my community to educate others and create intentionally inclusive spaces I wish I would’ve had when I was younger. The outdoors are for everyone! Outside of work, I enjoy foraging and going camping with my pet bunny.