Natural Resource Specialist - Grace Smoot '19

Alumnus overview:

Grace Smoot graduated from MU in 2019. She currently works as a Natural Resource Specialist II in the Forest Management section of the Department of Environmental Protection and Sustainability (DEPS) for Baltimore County (MD). She works closely with MD landowners and licensed contractors to plant native, canopy and sub-canopy trees on private and public property to ensure that Baltimore County meets its obligations under the Forest Conservation Act and the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area Act. In this role, she conducts survival counts and tree health assessments to maintain reforestation plantings, helps coordinate Baltimore County's annual tree giveaway (1,200 trees), and uses geographic information systems (GIS) to map current and future reforestation areas.

 

Advice to current & future MU biology students:

Grace's advice to existing MU bio majors is to "take advantage of every networking opportunity. Every conversation and interaction matters, even if you don't realize it until much further down the road. So don't be afraid to put yourself out there as an aspiring biology professional, even if you are a freshman. For example, you really don't understand how small the world is until you graduate, get a job 1.5 hours away from MU, and end up spearheading a reforestation project on the property of someone who you were in the MU Honors College with..."

Her advice for future bio majors is to "not be afraid to branch out and experience all facets of the biology major. MU has a fantastic program with many different options. Even if you come in thinking you want to specialize in one tract, try to take biology classes that are outside of that tract. Not only may it change your perspective, but it will also expand your skill set. Picking up a minor (or two) is also one of the best things you can do to prepare yourself. The extra work now will pay off in the long run because it will make you a more well-rounded professional."