MSU Extension

“Jesse is a plant ecologist and conducts vegetation surveys of state game areas. These areas are actively managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for hunters and nature lovers. This work to inventory state land involves describing and identifying important natural areas, documenting rare plants, aging of trees, and integrating these elements into wildlife management plans. With MNFI since 2010, he has always been interested in plants, factors that influence where they grow, and their interaction with the wildlife that relies on them. He enjoys identifying areas that have not been thoroughly botanized, collecting plants that have not been documented there, and submitting the collections to universities to contribute to accurate distribution maps. He also enjoys finding remnants of high-quality natural areas and working to get them protected. Exploring forests and fields as a child, his fascination for the natural world was encouraged by teachers. He earned a BS and MS in Biology from Grand Valley State University and enjoys nature photography and wandering around the state with his son.”